1 Therefore, having this ministry {diakonia: entrusted service}, just as we were shown mercy {eleeo: received compassion}, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things {krupta: secret practices} of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God {Theos, Faithful Revealer} deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men in the presence of God.
3 But even if our gospel {euangelion: saving message} is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing {apollymenois: in process of being lost}.
4 In whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so that they might not see the illumination {photismos: revealing light} of the gospel {euangelion: saving proclamation} of the glory of Christ {Christos, Radiant Messiah}, who is the image of God {Theos, Glorious Source}.
5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord {Christos Iesous Kyrios, Exalted Master}, and ourselves as your servants {doulos: devoted attendants} for the sake of Jesus.
6 Because God {Theos, Creation Light-Giver}—the One who said, “Out of darkness light will shine”—has shined in our hearts for the illumination {photismon: spiritual enlightenment} of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ {Christos, Revealed Glory}.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing excellence of the power may be of God {Theos, Power Source} and not from us {hemon: human origin}.
8 In every circumstance we are afflicted {thlibomenoi: pressed or pressured}, but not crushed; we are perplexed {aporoumenoi: at a loss}, but not utterly in despair.
9 Being persecuted, but not abandoned {egkataleipomenoi: utterly deserted}; being cast down, but not destroyed {apollymenoi: completely ruined}.
10 Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus {Iesous, Crucified Redeemer}, so that the life {zoe: divine vitality} of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always being handed over to death for the sake of Jesus {Iesous, Suffering Representative}, so that the life {zoe: Divine Life} of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.
12 So then, death {thanatos: mortal end} is at work in us, but life {zoe: enduring vitality} is at work in you.
13 But having the same spirit of faith {pneuma: motivating force}, according to what has been written {gegrammenon: established record}, “I believed, therefore I spoke”; we also believe, and therefore we also speak.
14 Knowing {eidotes: confident awareness} that the One {Theos, Sure Raiser} who raised Jesus {Iesous, Risen Messiah} will also raise us with Jesus and will present {paristemi: formally set before} us with you.
15 For all things are for your sake, so that grace {charis: divine favor} having increased through the many, the thanksgiving may overflow to the glory of God {Theos, Recipient of Thanksgiving}.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but even if our outer person {exo: visible bodily life} is being destroyed, yet the inner person within us is being renewed day by day {hemera: ongoing daily process}.
17 For our momentary {parautika: brief duration} light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond measure {huperbolen: surpassing greatness}.
18 We are not considering the things that are seen {blepomena: outwardly visible}, but the things that are not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal {aionia: endless duration}.