^4:1Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy,¹ we do not become discouraged.²^4:2But we have rejected³ shameful hidden deeds,⁴ not behaving⁵ with deceptiveness⁶ or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.

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Footnotes

1 Grk “just as we have been shown mercy”; ἡλεήθημεν (ēleēthēmen) has been translated as a “divine passive” which is a circumlocution for God as the active agent. For clarity this was converted to an active construction with God as subject in the translation.
2 Or “we do not lose heart.”
3 L&N 13.156; the word can also mean “to assert opposition to,” thus here “we have denounced” (L&N 33.220).
4 Grk “the hidden things [deeds] of shame”; here αἰσχύνης (aischunēs) has been translated as an attributive genitive.
5 Or “not conducting ourselves”; Grk “not walking” (a common NT idiom for conduct, way of life, or behavior).
6 Or “craftiness.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.

NLTNew Living Translation

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Because of this, since we have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience before God.

KJV 1900King James Version

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

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