2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6

English Standard Version

⁷ Now if ^(A)the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory ^(B)that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? ⁹ For if there was glory in ^(C)the ministry of condemnation, ^(D)the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. ¹⁰ Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. ¹¹ For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

¹² Since we have such a hope, ^(E)we are very bold, ¹³ not like Moses, ^(F)who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. ¹⁴ But ^(G)their minds were ^(H)hardened. For to this day, ^(I)when they read ^(J)the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. ¹⁶ But when ^(K)one^[a] turns to the Lord, ^(L)the veil is removed. ¹⁷ Now the Lord^[b] is the Spirit, and where ^(M)the Spirit of the Lord is, there is ^(N)freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, ^(O)beholding ^(P)the glory of the Lord,^{[c] (Q)}are being transformed into the same image ^(R)from one degree of glory to another.^[d] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, having ^(S)this ministry ^(T)by the mercy of God,^[e] we do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced ^(U)disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice^[f] cunning or ^(V)to tamper with God's word, but ^(W)by the open statement of the truth ^(X)we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even ^(Y)if our gospel is veiled, ^(Z)it is veiled to ^(AA)those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case ^(AB)the god of this world ^(AC)has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing ^(AD)the light of ^(AE)the gospel of the glory of Christ, ^(AF)who is the image of God. ⁵ For what ^(AG)we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ^(AH)ourselves as your servants^[g] for Jesus' sake. ⁶ For God, who said, ^(AI)“Let light shine out of darkness,” ^(AJ)has shone in our hearts to give ^(AK)the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.