We Don’t Give Up
[1-12] So seeing that we’ve been given this ministry by the mercy of Christ, we don’t give up; But we’ve given up the secret ways of dishonesty, not being tricky, nor handling the Word of God falsely; but by clearly stating the truth entrusting ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. But if our New Word is covered, only those who are lost can’t see it: The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, unless the light of the amazing New Word of Christ, who is the picture of God, shines on them. And we don’t preach about ourselves, but Yeshua the Christ as being God; and ourselves your workers for Yeshua's sake. And God, who told the light to shine out of the darkness, has shined in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the victory of God in the face of Yeshua the Christ. But this wealth of knowledge is kept in human beings, so that others can know that this great power is of God, and not us. And though we’re troubled from all sides, still we’re not greatly upset; We’re confused, but not hopeless; Mistreated, but not abandoned; pushed down, but not broken; We’re always suffering the dying of Christ Yeshua in our human bodies, so that the life of Christ might also be known in our human bodies. And we who live are always giving ourselves up for dead for Yeshua' sake, so that the life of Yeshua also might be known in our human bodies. So then death is working in us, so that life can work in you.
[13-18] And having the same spirit of faith, just like the Word says, I believed, and so I speak; we also believe, and we speak; Knowing that Yahweh God, who brought back Christ Yeshua, will also raise us up by Yeshua, and will offer us, along with you. And everything is for your sakes, that the amazing grace, having come to many people, would let their thanksgiving overflow in the praise of God. And so we don’t give up; but though our outward lives are destroyed, still the inward life is renewed each and every day. And our suffering, which lasts only a little while, gives us a victory that far outlasts anything we go through now; So we don’t look at the things which we see, but at the things which we don’t see, because the things which are seen are only temporary; but the things which aren’t seen will last forever.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
[1-10] And we know that if our earthly body that we live in were to be destroyed, we have a heavenly body in God, which isn’t like our human bodies, but will last forever in heaven. But in this one we cry, actively hoping to be clothed with our heavenly one: So if it’s true that we’re clothed, we won’t be without it. And though we that are in this body cry, being greatly troubled: not that we want to be unclothed, but clothed with our heavenly body, so that our human body might be completely covered with life. Now the One who has created us for this same reason is God, who has also given to us the Spirit as proof. So we’re always sure, knowing that, while we’re in our bodies, we’re separated from God, but because we walk by faith, and not by sight, we’re sure, I say, instead to even be willing to leave this body to be with God. So we work, that, whether here or there, we can be accepted by God, because we all have to appear at the judgment seat of Christ; so that everyone can get back what they’re owed for the things they did in their body, whether it was good or bad.
[11-16] So knowing the fear of God, we try to change the minds of others; and though it’s clear to God who we are; I trust also that in your consciences we are made clear. And we don’t approve of ourselves again to you, but we want to give you a chance to be proud of us, that you can have something to answer those who take pride in appearances, but not in the heart. And if we’re crazy, it’s for God’s sake: or if we use good sense, it’s for your sake, because the love of Christ makes us believe that if One died for all, then all are dead: And that One died for all, so that those who live wouldn’t ever live for themselves again, but for the One who died for them, and rose again. So now, we see no one as they are in the body: and yes, though we’ve known Christ in the body, still now we don’t know the Christ that way any more.
