12 Therefore, since we have such hope, (A)we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, (B)who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at (C)the end of what was passing away. 14 But (D)their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless (E)when one turns to the Lord, (F)the veil is taken away. 17 Now (G)the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is (H)liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding (I)as in a mirror (J)the glory of the Lord, (K)are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [a]by the Spirit of the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or from the Lord, the Spirit

12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

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12 Therefore, since we have such a hope,(A) we are very bold.(B) 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face(C) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull,(D) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant(E) is read.(F) It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,(G) the veil is taken away.(H) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,(I) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(J) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a](K) the Lord’s glory,(L) are being transformed into his image(M) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect

12 Since we have such a [glorious] hope and confident expectation, we speak with great courage, 13 and we are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not gaze at the end of the glory which was fading away. 14 But [in fact] their minds were hardened [for they had lost the ability to understand]; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed [only] in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil [of blindness] lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns [in repentance and faith] to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].(A) 18 And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

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12-15 With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn’t notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn’t notice. They didn’t notice it then and they don’t notice it now, don’t notice that there’s nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can’t see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there’s nothing there.

16-18 Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

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