Therefore seeing that we have such an office, even as mercy is come on us, we faint not: but have cast from us the cloaks of unhonesty, and walk not in craftiness, neither corrupt we the word of God: but walk in open truth, and report ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
If our Gospell be yet hid, it is hid among them that are lost, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest should shine unto them the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Iesus the lord, and preach ourselves your servants for Iesus' sake. For it is God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, which hath shined in our hearts, for to give the light of knowledge of the glorious God, in the face of Iesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellent power of it might appear to be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet are we not without shift. We are in poverty: but not utterly without somewhat. We are persecuted: but are not forsaken. We are cast down: nevertheless we perish not. And we always bear in our bodies the dying of the lord Iesus, that the life of Iesu might appear in our bodies. For we which live, are always delivered unto death for Iesus' sake, that the life also of Iesu might appear in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, and life in you. Seeing then that we have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written (I believed and therefore have I spoken) we also believe, and therefore speak. For we know that he which raised up the lord Iesus, shall raise up us also by the means of Iesus, and shall set us with you, for all things I do for your sakes, that the plenteous grace by thanks given of many, may redound to the praise of God.
Wherefore we are not wearied, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our exceeding tribulation, which is momentary and light, prepareth an exceeding, and eternal weight of glory unto us, while we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. For things which are seen, are temporal: but things which are not seen are eternal.
The .v. Chapter.
We know surely if our earthy mansion wherein we now dwell were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God, an habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven: And herefore sigh we, desiring to be clothed with our mansion which is from heaven: if it happen that we be found clothed, and not naked. For as long as we are in this tabernacle, we sigh and are grieved: for we would not be unclothed: but would be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. He that hath ordained us for this thing, is God: which very same hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit.
We are always of good cheer, and know well that as long as we are at home in the body we are absent from God. For we walk in faith and see not. Nevertheless we are of good comfort, and had lever to be absent from the body and to be present with God. Wherefore we endeavor ourselves, whether we be at home or from home, to please God. For we must all be brought before the judgement seat of Christ that every man may receive the works of his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad? Seeing then that we know how the lord is to be feared, we fare fair with men. For we are known well enough unto God. I trust also that we are known in your consciences.
We praise not ourselves again unto you, but give you an occasion to rejoice of us, that ye may have somewhat against them, which rejoice in the face, and not in the heart. For if we be too fervent, to God are we to fervent: if we keep measure, for your cause keep we measure. For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, if one be dead for all, that then are all dead, and that he died for all, because that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves: but unto him which died for them and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh. Insomuch that though we have known Christ after the flesh, now henceforth know we him so no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. Nevertheless all things are of God, which hath reconciled us unto himself by Iesus Christ, and hath given unto us the office to preach the atonement. For God was in Christ, and made agreement between the world and him self, and imputed not their sins unto them: and hath committed to us the preaching of the atonement.
Now then are we messengers in the room of Christ: even as though God did beseech you thorow us: So pray we you in Christe's stead, that ye be at one with God: for he hath made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we by his means should be that righteousness which before God is allowed.