2 Corinthians 4:7-18 - Treasure In Earthenware Jars

⁷ But I am keeping this jewel in an earthen jar, to prove that its surpassing power is God's, not mine. ⁸ On every side I am ever hard-pressed, but never hemmed in; always perplexed, but never to the point of despair; ⁹ always being persecuted, but not deserted; always getting a knockdown, but never a knockout; ¹⁰ always being exposed to death as Jesus was, so that in my body the life of Jesus may be clearly shown. ¹¹ For all the time I continue to live I am being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that in my mortal lower nature the life of Jesus may be clearly shown. ¹² So it is death that works in me, but it is life that works in you. ¹³ Now since I have the same spirit of faith as he who said in the Scriptures, "I believed, and so I spoke," I too believe, and so I speak, ¹⁴ because I know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise me too in fellowship with you. ¹⁵ For everything is for your sakes, in order that His favor by multiplying the thanksgiving of many may make the cup run over to the praise of God.

¹⁶ So I never give up; instead, although my outer nature is wasting away, my inner nature is constantly renewed from day to day. ¹⁷ For this slight and momentary sorrow continues to accumulate for me a solid and eternal glory far beyond any comparison, ¹⁸ because I do not keep my eyes on things that are seen but things that are unseen. For things that are seen are temporary, but things that are unseen are eternal.