MODERN LITERAL VERSION

4:1 Therefore seeing we have this service, just-as we have been shown-mercy, we are not depressed.
4:2 But we have scoffed at the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
4:3 But even if our good-news is hidden, it is hidden among those who are perishing,
4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, *that* the illumination of the good-news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn for them.
4:5 For* we are not preaching ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord and ourselves as your* bondservants because of Jesus.
4:6 Because it is God, who said, ‘Illumination shine' {Gen. 1:3} out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

4:7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that* the excellence of the power may be from God and not from ourselves.
4:8 We are pressed in every way, but not distressed; perplexed, but not despairing;
4:9 pursued, but not forsaken; cast down, but not being destroyed;
4:10 always carrying around in the body the death of the Lord Jesus, that* the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
4:11 For* we who live are habitually given up to death because of Jesus, that* the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.
4:12 So-then indeed, death is working in us, but life in you*.
4:13 But having the same spirit of the faith, according to what has been written, ‘I believed and hence I spoke.' {Ps. 116:10} We also believe and hence we also speak;
4:14 knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will also be raising us up through Jesus and will present us with you*.
4:15 For* all things are because of you*, in order that the grace that is increasing through the many, may cause the thanksgiving abound to the glory of God.

4:16 Hence we are not depressed, but even if the outward man is decaying, but yet our inward man is renewed day in and day out.
4:17 For* the momentary light weight of our affliction, is working for us a surpassingly-better everlasting weight of glory;
4:18 because we are not noting the things which are seen, but note the things which are not seen; for* the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are everlasting.