2Corinthians:3-4

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* Do we begin (5731 ) again to commend (5721 ) ourselves ? or need we (5719 ), as some others , epistles of commendation to you , or letters of commendation from you ? * Ye are (5748 ) our epistle written (5772 ) in our hearts , known (5746 ) and read (5746 ) of all me : * Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared (5746 ) to be (5748 ) the epistle of Christ ministered (5685 ) by us , written (5772 ) not with ink , but with the Spirit of the living (5723 ) God ; not in tables of stone , but in fleshy tables of the heart . * And such trust have we (5719 ) through Christ to God-ward : * Not that we are (5748 ) sufficient of ourselves to think (5664 ) any thing as of ourselves ; but our sufficiency is of God ; * Who also hath made us able (5656 ) ministers of the new testament ; not of the letter , but of the spirit : for the letter killeth (5719 ), but the spirit giveth life (5719 ). * But if the ministration of death , written and engraven (5772 ) in stones , was (5675 ) glorious , so that the children of Israel could (5738 ) not stedfastly behold (5658 ) the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance ; which glory was to be done away (5746 ): * How shall not the ministration of the spirit be (5704 ) rather glorious ? * For if the ministration of condemnation be glory , much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed (5719 ) in glory . * For even that which was made glorious (5769 ) had no glory (5772 ) in this respect , by reason of the glory that excelleth (5723 ). * For if that which is done away (5746 ) was glorious , much more that which remaineth (5723 ) is glorious . * Seeing then that we have (5723 ) such hope , we use (5736 ) great plainness of speech : * And not as Moses , which put (5707 ) a vail over his face , that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look (5658 ) to the end of that which is abolished (5746 ): * But their minds were blinded (5681 ): for until this day remaineth (5719 ) the same vail untaken away (5746 ) in the reading of the old testament ; which vail is done away (5743 ) in Christ . * But even unto this day , when Moses is read (5743 ), the vail is upon (5736 ) their heart . * Nevertheless when it shall turn (5661 ) to the Lord , the vail shall be taken away (5743 ). * Now the Lord is (5748 ) that Spirit : and where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty . * But we all , with open (5772 ) face beholding as in a glass (5734 ) the glory of the Lord , are changed (5743 ) into the same image from glory to glory , even as by the Spirit of the Lord . * Therefore seeing we have (5723 ) this ministry , as we have received mercy (5681 ), we faint (5719 ) not ; * But have renounced (5639 ) the hidden things of dishonesty , not walking (5723 ) in craftiness , nor handling the word of God deceitfully (5723 ); but by manifestation of the truth commending (5723 ) ourselves to every mans conscience in the sight of God . * But if our gospel be (5748 ) hid (5772 ), it is (5748 ) hid (5772 ) to them that are lost (5730 ): * In whom the god of this world hath blinded (5656 ) the minds of them which believe not , lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ , who is (5748 ) the image of God , should shine (5658 ) unto them . * For we preach (5719 ) not ourselves , but Christ Jesus the Lord ; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake . * For God , who commanded (5631 ) the light to shine (5658 ) out of darkness , hath shined (5656 ) in our hearts , to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ . * But we have (5719 ) this treasure in earthen vessels , that the excellency of the power may be (5753 ) of God , and not of us . * We are troubled (5746 ) on every side , yet not distressed (5746 ); we are perplexed (5734 ), but not in despair (5740 ); * Persecuted (5746 ), but not forsaken (5746 ); cast down (5746 ), but not destroyed (5730 ); * Always bearing about (5723 ) in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus , that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest (5686 ) in our body . * For we which live (5723 ) are alway delivered (5743 ) unto death for Jesus sake , that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest (5686 ) in our mortal flesh . * So then death worketh (5731 ) in us , but life in you . * We having (5723 ) the same spirit of faith , according as it is written (5772 ), I believed (5656 ), and therefore have I spoken (5656 ); we also believe (5719 ), and therefore speak (5719 ); * Knowing (5761 ) that he which raised up (5660 ) the Lord Jesus shall raise up (5692 ) us also by Jesus , and shall present (5692 ) us with you . * For all things are for your sakes , that the abundant (5660 ) grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound (5661 ) to the glory of God . * For which cause we faint (5719 ) not ; but though our outward man perish (5743 ), yet the inward man is renewed (5743 ) day by day . * For our light affliction , which is but for a moment , worketh (5736 ) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; * While we look not at (5723 ) the things which are seen (5746 ), but at the things which are not seen (5746 ): for the things which are seen (5746 ) are temporal ; but the things which are not seen (5746 ) are eternal . * For we know (5758 ) that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved (5686 ), we have (5719 ) a building of God , an house not made with hands , eternal in the heavens .

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