A Choral Reading of 2 Corinthians 4:1-12

2 Corinthians 4:1-12 (NRSV) for 3 Voices                      

ALL: Therefore,

ONE: since it is by

ALL: God’s mercy

ONE: that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 

TWO: We have 

ALL: renounced

TWO: the shameful things that one hides; we

ALL: refuse

TWO: to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of

ALL: Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves;

THREE: we proclaim

ALL: Jesus Christ as Lord

THREE: and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

ALL: But we have this treasure in clay jars,

ONE: so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are

ALL: afflicted

ONE: in every way, but not crushed;

ALL: perplexed,

TWO: but not driven to despair; 

ALL: persecuted,

THREE: but not forsaken;

ALL: struck down,

ONE: but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,

TWO: so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in

ALL: our bodies. 

THREE: For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in

ALL: our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.