minds so as to shut out the sunshine of the Good News
of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God.
004:005 (For we do not proclaim ourselves, but we proclaim Christ Jesus
as Lord, and ourselves as your bondservants for the sake of Jesus.)
004:006 For God who said, "Out of darkness let light shine," is He who
has shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge
of God's glory, which is radiant on the face of Christ.
004:007 But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order
that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen
to belong to God, and not to originate in us.
004:008 We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress;
perplexed, yet never utterly baffled;
004:009 pursued, yet never left unsuccoured; struck to the ground,
yet never slain;
004:010 always, wherever we go, carrying with us in our bodies
the putting to death of Jesus, so that in our bodies it may
also be clearly shown that Jesus lives.
004:011 For we, alive though we are, are continually surrendering
ourselves to death for the sake of Jesus, so that in this mortal
nature of ours it may also be clearly shown that Jesus lives.
004:012 Thus we are constantly dying, while you are in full
enjoyment of Life.
004:013 But possessing the same Spirit of faith as he who wrote,
"I believed, and therefore I have spoken," we also believe,
and therefore we speak.
004:014 For we know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead
will raise us also to be with Jesus, and will cause both us
and you to stand in His own presence.
004:015 For everything is for your sakes, in order that grace,
being more richly bestowed because of the thanksgivings of the