³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(A) through him who loved us.^(B)

¹⁴ But thanks be to God,^(A) who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma^(B) of the knowledge^(C) of him everywhere.

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(A) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(B) and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,^(C) but not crushed; perplexed,^(D) but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted,^(E) but not abandoned;^(F) struck down, but not destroyed.^{(G) 10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,^(H) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.^{(I) 11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(J) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.^(K)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[a](L) Since we have that same spirit of^[b] faith,^(M) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(N) will also raise us with Jesus^(O) and present us with you to himself.^{(P) 15} All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving^(Q) to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(R) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(S) we are being renewed^(T) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(U) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(V) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments^(A) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^{(B) 6} in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit^(C) and in sincere love;^{(D) 7} in truthful speech^(E) and in the power of God;^(F) with weapons of righteousness^(G) in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor,^(H) bad report^(I) and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;^{(J) 9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying,^(K) and yet we live on;^(L) beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;^(M) poor, yet making many rich;^(N) having nothing,^(O) and yet possessing everything.^(P)

¹¹ We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.^{(Q) 12} We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children^(R)—open wide your hearts^(S) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together^(T) with unbelievers.^(U) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?^{(V) 15} What harmony is there between Christ and Belial^[a]?^(W) Or what does a believer^(X) have in common with an unbeliever?^{(Y) 16} What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?^(Z) For we are the temple^(AA) of the living God.^(AB) As God has said:

¹⁷ Therefore,

¹⁸ And,