NEW TESTAMENT (Second Reading)

A Reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and Sisters:

Knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus 

     will raise us also with Jesus 

     and place us with you in his presence.

Everything indeed is for you, 

     so that the grace bestowed in abundance 

     on more and more people 

     may cause the thanksgiving to overflow 

     for the glory of God.

Therefore, we are not discouraged;

     rather, although our outer self is wasting away, 

     our inner self is being renewed day by day.

For this momentary light affliction 

     is producing for us an eternal weight of glory 

     beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen 

     but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory,

     but what is unseen is eternal.

For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, 

     should be destroyed, we have a building from God, 

     a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

The Word of the Lord