Therefore, seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not;

Ideo habentes administrationem, juxta quod misericordiam consecuti sumus, non deficimus,

Being entrusted, then, by God’s mercy, with this ministry, we do not play the coward;

But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience, in the sight of God.

sed abdicamus occulta dedecoris, non ambulantes in astutia, neque adulterantes verbum Dei, sed in manifestatione veritatis commendantes nosmetipsos ad omnem conscientiam hominum coram Deo.

we renounce all shame-faced concealment, there must be no crooked ways, no falsifying of God’s word; it is by making the truth publicly known that we recommend ourselves to the honest judgement of mankind, as in God’s sight.

And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,

Quod si etiam opertum est Evangelium nostrum, in iis, qui pereunt, est opertum:

Our gospel is a mystery, yes, but it is only a mystery to those who are on the road to perdition;

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.

in quibus Deus hujus sæculi excæcavit mentes infidelium, ut non fulgeat illis illuminatio Evangelii gloriæ Christi, qui est imago Dei.

those whose unbelieving minds have been blinded by the god this world worships, so that the glorious gospel of Christ, God’s image, cannot reach them with the rays of its illumination.

For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord; and ourselves your servants through Jesus.

Non enim nosmetipsos prædicamus, sed Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum: nos autem servos vestros per Jesum:

After all, it is not ourselves we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

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 Christ Jesus.

quoniam Deus, qui dixit de tenebris lucem splendescere, ipse illuxit in cordibus nostris ad illuminationem scientiæ claritatis Dei, in facie Christi Jesu.

The same God who bade light shine out of darkness has kindled a light in our hearts, whose shining is to make known his glory as he has revealed it in the features of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us.

Habemus autem thesaurum istum in vasis fictilibus: ut sublimitas sit virtutis Dei, et non ex nobis.

We have a treasure, then, in our keeping, but its shell is of perishable earthenware; it must be God, and not anything in ourselves, that gives it its sovereign power.

In all things we suffer tribulation, but are not distressed; we are straitened, but are not destitute;

In omnibus tribulationem patimur, sed non angustiamur: aporiamur, sed non destituimur:

For ourselves, we are being hampered everywhere, yet still have room to breathe, are hard put to it, but never at a loss;

We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we perish not:

persecutionem patimur, sed non derelinquimur: dejicimur, sed non perimus:

persecution does not leave us unbefriended, nor crushing blows destroy us;

Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies.

semper mortificationem Jesu in corpore nostro circumferentes, ut et vita Jesu manifestetur in corporibus nostris.

we carry about continually in our bodies the dying state of Jesus, so that the living power of Jesus may be manifested in our bodies too.

For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake; that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

Semper enim nos, qui vivimus, in mortem tradimur propter Jesum: ut et vita Jesu manifestetur in carne nostra mortali.

Always we, alive as we are, are being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the living power of Jesus may be manifested in this mortal nature of ours.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Ergo mors in nobis operatur, vita autem in vobis.

So death makes itself felt in us, and life in you.

But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe, for which cause we speak also:

Habentes autem eumdem spiritum fidei, sicut scriptum est: Credidi, propter quod locutus sum: et nos credimus, propter quod et loquimur:

I spoke my mind, says the scripture, with full confidence, and we too speak our minds with full confidence, sharing that same spirit of faith,

Knowing that he who raised up Jesus, will raise us up also with Jesus, and place us with you.

scientes quoniam qui suscitavit Jesum, et nos cum Jesu suscitabit, et constituet vobiscum.

and knowing that he who raised Jesus from the dead will raise us too, and summon us, like you, before him.

For all things are for your sakes; that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God.

Omnia enim propter vos: ut gratia abundans, per multos in gratiarum actione, abundet in gloriam Dei.

It is all for your sakes, so that grace made manifold in many lives may increase the sum of gratitude which is offered to God’s glory.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Propter quod non deficimus: sed licet is, qui foris est, noster homo corrumpatur, tamen is, qui intus est, renovatur de die in diem.

No, we do not play the coward; though the outward part of our nature is being worn down, our inner life is refreshed from day to day.

For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.

Id enim, quod in præsenti est momentaneum et leve tribulationis nostræ, supra modum in sublimitate æternum gloriæ pondus operatur in nobis,

This light and momentary affliction brings with it a reward multiplied every way, loading us with everlasting glory;

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.

non contemplantibus nobis quæ videntur, sed quæ non videntur. Quæ enim videntur, temporalia sunt: quæ autem non videntur, æterna sunt.

if only we will fix our eyes on what is unseen, not on what we can see. What we can see, lasts but for a moment; what is unseen is eternal.