New Covenant Ministry

Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory,(A) so that the Israelites were not able to look directly at Moses’ face because of the glory from his face—a fading glory— how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory. 10 In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious now by comparison because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was fading away(B) was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious.

12 Therefore, having such a hope,(C) we use great boldness. 13 We are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face(D) so that the Israelites could not stare at the end of what was fading away, 14 but their minds were closed.[a](E) For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant,(F) the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ.(G) 15 Even to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, 16 but whenever a person turns(H) to the Lord, the veil is removed.(I) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:14 Lit their thoughts were hardened

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

Now if the ministry that brought death,(A) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,(B) transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation(C) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!(D) 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope,(E) we are very bold.(F) 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face(G) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull,(H) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant(I) is read.(J) 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,(K) the veil is taken away.(L) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,(M) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(N)

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