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2 Corinthians 3-7
King James Version
2 Corinthians 3-7
King James Version
3 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
6 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
7 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
2 Corinthians 3-7
New International Version
2 Corinthians 3-7
New International Version
3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves(A) again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation(B) to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.(C) 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,(D) not on tablets of stone(E) but on tablets of human hearts.(F)
4 Such confidence(G) we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves(H) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.(I) 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant(J)—not of the letter(K) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.(L)
The Greater Glory of the New Covenant
7 Now if the ministry that brought death,(M) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,(N) transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation(O) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!(P) 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope,(Q) we are very bold.(R) 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face(S) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull,(T) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant(U) is read.(V) It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,(W) the veil is taken away.(X) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,(Y) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(Z) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a](AA) the Lord’s glory,(AB) are being transformed into his image(AC) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Present Weakness and Resurrection Life
4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy(AD) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(AE) 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;(AF) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.(AG) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience(AH) in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel(AI) is veiled,(AJ) it is veiled to those who are perishing.(AK) 4 The god(AL) of this age(AM) has blinded(AN) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,(AO) who is the image of God.(AP) 5 For what we preach is not ourselves,(AQ) but Jesus Christ as Lord,(AR) and ourselves as your servants(AS) for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[b](AT) made his light shine in our hearts(AU) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.(AV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay(AW) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(AX) and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side,(AY) but not crushed; perplexed,(AZ) but not in despair; 9 persecuted,(BA) but not abandoned;(BB) struck down, but not destroyed.(BC) 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(BD) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(BE) 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(BF) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.(BG)
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[c](BH) Since we have that same spirit of[d] faith,(BI) we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead(BJ) will also raise us with Jesus(BK) and present us with you to himself.(BL) 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving(BM) to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart.(BN) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly(BO) we are being renewed(BP) day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.(BQ) 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,(BR) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Awaiting the New Body
5 For we know that if the earthly(BS) tent(BT) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan,(BU) longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(BV) 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan(BW) and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,(BX) so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(BY)
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.(BZ) 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.(CA) 9 So we make it our goal to please him,(CB) whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us(CC) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(CD) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(CE) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(CF) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(CG) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,”(CH) as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.(CI) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves(CJ) but for him who died for them(CK) and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly(CL) point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,(CM) the new creation(CN) has come:[e] The old has gone, the new is here!(CO) 18 All this is from God,(CP) who reconciled us to himself through Christ(CQ) and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.(CR) And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,(CS) as though God were making his appeal through us.(CT) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.(CU) 21 God made him who had no sin(CV) to be sin[f] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(CW)
6 As God’s co-workers(CX) we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.(CY) 2 For he says,
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,(DA) so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments(DB) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;(DC) 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit(DD) and in sincere love;(DE) 7 in truthful speech(DF) and in the power of God;(DG) with weapons of righteousness(DH) in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor,(DI) bad report(DJ) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;(DK) 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,(DL) and yet we live on;(DM) beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;(DN) poor, yet making many rich;(DO) having nothing,(DP) and yet possessing everything.(DQ)
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(DR) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(DS)—open wide your hearts(DT) also.
Warning Against Idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together(DU) with unbelievers.(DV) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(DW) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[h]?(DX) Or what does a believer(DY) have in common with an unbeliever?(DZ) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(EA) For we are the temple(EB) of the living God.(EC) As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”[i](ED)
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them(EE)
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”[j](EF)
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,(EG)
says the Lord Almighty.”[k](EH)
7 Therefore, since we have these promises,(EI) dear friends,(EJ) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(EK) out of reverence for God.
Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance
2 Make room for us in your hearts.(EL) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts(EM) that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.(EN) I am greatly encouraged;(EO) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(EP)
5 For when we came into Macedonia,(EQ) we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn(ER)—conflicts on the outside, fears within.(ES) 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,(ET) comforted us by the coming of Titus,(EU) 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter,(EV) I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation(EW) and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,(EX) what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you,(EY) it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong(EZ) nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus(FA) was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you,(FB) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus(FC) has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,(FD) receiving him with fear and trembling.(FE) 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.(FF)
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3
- 2 Corinthians 4:13 Psalm 116:10 (see Septuagint)
- 2 Corinthians 4:13 Or Spirit-given
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
- 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
- 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
2 Corinthians 3-7
New King James Version
2 Corinthians 3-7
New King James Version
Christ’s Epistle(A)
3 Do (B)we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, (C)epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 (D)You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, (E)ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not (F)on tablets of stone but (G)on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
The Spirit, Not the Letter
4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 (H)Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but (I)our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as (J)ministers of (K)the new covenant, not (L)of the letter but of the [a]Spirit; for (M)the letter kills, (N)but the Spirit gives life.
Glory of the New Covenant
7 But if (O)the ministry of death, (P)written and engraved on stones, was glorious, (Q)so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will (R)the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry (S)of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
12 Therefore, since we have such hope, (T)we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, (U)who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at (V)the end of what was passing away. 14 But (W)their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless (X)when one turns to the Lord, (Y)the veil is taken away. 17 Now (Z)the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is (AA)liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding (AB)as in a mirror (AC)the glory of the Lord, (AD)are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [b]by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, (AE)as we have received mercy, we (AF)do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor [c]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth (AG)commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, (AH)it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds (AI)the god of this age (AJ)has blinded, who do not believe, lest (AK)the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, (AL)who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 (AM)For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and (AN)ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God (AO)who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has (AP)shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, (AQ)that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are (AR)hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not (AS)forsaken; (AT)struck down, but not destroyed— 10 (AU)always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, (AV)that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live (AW)are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we have (AX)the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, (AY)“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that (AZ)He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For (BA)all things are for your sakes, that (BB)grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Seeing the Invisible
16 Therefore we (BC)do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is (BD)being renewed day by day. 17 For (BE)our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 (BF)while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Assurance of the Resurrection
5 For we know that if (BG)our earthly [d]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house (BH)not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this (BI)we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our [e]habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, (BJ)having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, (BK)but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also (BL)has given us the Spirit as [f]a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For (BM)we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, (BN)well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 (BO)For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, (BP)that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, (BQ)the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Be Reconciled to God
12 For (BR)we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity (BS)to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For (BT)if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that (BU)if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, (BV)that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 (BW)Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, (BX)yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone (BY)is in Christ, he is (BZ)a new creation; (CA)old things have passed away; behold, all things have become (CB)new. 18 Now all things are of God, (CC)who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that (CD)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [g]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are (CE)ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For (CF)He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become (CG)the righteousness of God in Him.
Marks of the Ministry
6 We then, as (CH)workers together with Him also (CI)plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
(CJ)“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 (CK)We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves (CL)as ministers of God: in much [h]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 (CM)in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [i]sincere love, 7 (CN)by the word of truth, by (CO)the power of God, by (CP)the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and (CQ)yet well known; (CR)as dying, and behold we live; (CS)as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many (CT)rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Be Holy
11 O Corinthians! [j]We have spoken openly to you, (CU)our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but (CV)you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (CW)(I speak as to children), you also be open.
14 (CX)Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For (CY)what [k]fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what [l]communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (CZ)you[m] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
(DA)“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
17 Therefore
(DB)“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I (DC)will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My (DD)sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”
The Corinthians’ Repentance
7 Therefore,(DE) having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
The Corinthians’ Repentance
2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, (DF)we have cheated no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn; for (DG)I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 (DH)Great is my boldness of speech toward you, (DI)great is my boasting on your behalf. (DJ)I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For indeed, (DK)when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but (DL)we were troubled on every side. (DM)Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless (DN)God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by (DO)the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the [n]consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
8 For even if I made you (DP)sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; (DQ)though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For (DR)godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; (DS)but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what (DT)clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be (DU)clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, (DV)but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
The Joy of Titus
13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit (DW)has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. 15 And his affections are greater for you as he remembers (DX)the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16 Therefore I rejoice that (DY)I have confidence in you in everything.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 3:6 Or spirit
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or from the Lord, the Spirit
- 2 Corinthians 4:2 adulterating the word of God
- 2 Corinthians 5:1 Physical body
- 2 Corinthians 5:2 dwelling
- 2 Corinthians 5:5 down payment, earnest
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 reckoning
- 2 Corinthians 6:4 endurance
- 2 Corinthians 6:6 Lit. unhypocritical
- 2 Corinthians 6:11 Lit. Our mouth is open
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 in common
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 fellowship
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 NU we
- 2 Corinthians 7:7 comfort
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.