2 Corinthians 4
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Therefore, since we have this ministry, a as we have received mercy, we b do not lose heart.
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But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth c commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
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But even if our gospel is veiled, d it is veiled to those who are perishing,
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whose minds e the god of this age f has blinded, who do not believe, lest g the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, h who is the image of God, should shine on them.
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i For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and j ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.
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For it is the God k who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has l shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
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But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, m that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
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We are n hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
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persecuted, but not o forsaken; p struck down, but not destroyed -
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q always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, r that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
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For we who live s are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
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So then death is working in us, but life in you.
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And since we have t the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, u "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak,
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knowing that v He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
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For w all things are for your sakes, that x grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
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Therefore we y do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is z being renewed day by day.
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For a our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
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b 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.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:25
Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.
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Cross References
Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Ephesians 3:13
Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing, therefore, 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.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
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Cross References
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
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Cross References
John 12:40
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 3:8
How will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
2 Corinthians 3:9
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
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Cross References
John 1:18
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
Philippians 2:6
Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.
Colossians 1:15
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:13
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.
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Cross References
Genesis 1:3
Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
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Cross References
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
Malachi 4:2
But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us.
2 Peter 1:19
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
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Cross References
Judges 7:2
And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.
1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 1:8
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
2 Corinthians 7:5
For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
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Cross References
Psalms 129:2
Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me.
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you.
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Cross References
Psalms 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
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Cross References
Philippians 3:10
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
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Cross References
Romans 8:17
And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
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Cross References
Romans 8:36
As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
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Cross References
2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
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Cross References
Psalms 116:10
I believed, therefore I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted.
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Cross References
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
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Cross References
Colossians 1:24
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.
2 Corinthians 1:11
You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
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Cross References
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Colossians 3:10
And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
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Cross References
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Peter 1:6
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.
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Cross References
Romans 8:24
For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.