Léctio Epístolæ secúndæ beáti Pauli apóstoli ad Corínthios (4,1-2.5-7)
Fratres: Habéntes hanc ministratiónem, iúxta quod misericórdiam consecúti sumus, non defícimus, sed abdicávimus occúlta dedécoris non ambulántes in astútia neque adulterántes verbum Dei, sed in manifestatióne veritátis commendántes nosmetípsos ad omnem consciéntiam hóminum coram Deo. Non enim nosmetípsos prædicámus sed Iésum Christum Dóminum; nos autem servos vestros per Iésum. Quóniam Deus, qui dixit: “De ténebris lux splendéscat”, ipse illúxit in córdibus nostris ad illuminatiónem sciéntiæ claritátis Dei in fácie Iésu Christi. Habémus autem thesáurum istum in vasis fictílibus, ut sublímitas sit virtútis Dei et non ex nobis.
Brethren: having this ministration; according as we have obtained mercy, we fail not, but we renounce the secret things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God, but in manifestation of the truth commending our-selves to every conscience of men before God. For we preach not our-selves, but Jesus Christ our Lord: and us, your servants by Jesus: because God that commanded light to shine of darkness, he hath shined in our hearts to the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God, and not of us.
