1. Because of this, since we have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart,
2. 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.
3. But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing,
4. among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5. For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
6. For God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” is the one who has shined in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7. But we have this treasure in earthenware jars, in order that the extraordinary degree of the power may be from God and not from us.
8. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
9. persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;