2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

Christian Standard Bible

Treasure in Clay Jars

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power^(A) may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁹ we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry the death of Jesus^(B) in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death^(C) for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,^[a](D) we also believe, and therefore speak. ¹⁴ For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus^(E) and present us with you. ¹⁵ Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving^(F) to increase to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not give up.^(G) Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person^(H) is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction^(I) is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.^{(J) 18} So we do not focus on what is seen,^(K) but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Our Future after Death

5 For we know that if our earthly tent we live in^(L) is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens,^(M) not made with hands.^{(N) 2} Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring^(O) to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ since, when we are clothed,^[b] we will not be found naked.^{(P) 4} Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality^(Q) may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

⁶ So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith,^(R) not by sight.^{(S) 8} In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.^{(T) 9} Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing^(U) to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat^(V) of Christ,^(W) so that each may be repaid^(X) for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.