3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves^(A) again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation^(B) to you or from you? ² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.^{(C) 3} You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,^(D) not on tablets of stone^(E) but on tablets of human hearts.^(F)

⁴ Such confidence^(G) we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves^(H) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.^{(I) 6} He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant^(J)—not of the letter^(K) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.^(L)

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death,^(M) 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,^(N) transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation^(O) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!^{(P) 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,^(Q) we are very bold.^{(R) 13} We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face^(S) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull,^(T) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant^(U) is read.^(V) 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,^(W) the veil is taken away.^{(X) 17} Now the Lord is the Spirit,^(Y) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.^{(Z) 18} And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a](AA) the Lord’s glory,^(AB) are being transformed into his image^(AC) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(A) by what you eat or drink,^(B) or with regard to a religious festival,^(C) a New Moon celebration^(D) or a Sabbath day.^{(E) 17} These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(F) the reality, however, is found in Christ.

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(A) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(B) over every power and authority.^{(C) 11} In him you were also circumcised^(D) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[a](E) was put off when you were circumcised by^[b] Christ,

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(A) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(B) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(C) 3} For you died,^(D) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life,^(E) appears,^(F) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(G)

⁵ Put to death,^(H) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(I) sexual immorality,^(J) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(K) which is idolatry.^{(L) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(M) is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(N) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(O) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(P) and filthy language from your lips.^{(Q) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(R) since you have taken off your old self^(S) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(T) which is being renewed^(U) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(V) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(W) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(X) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(Y) but Christ is all,^(Z) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(AA) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(AB) gentleness and patience.^(AC)

Fear the Lord

¹² And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you^(A) but to fear^(B) the Lord your God, to walk^(C) in obedience to him, to love him,^(D) to serve the Lord^(E) your God with all your heart^(F) and with all your soul,^{(G) 13} and to observe the Lord’s commands^(H) and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?^(I)

¹⁴ To the Lord your God belong the heavens,^(J) even the highest heavens,^(K) the earth and everything in it.^{(L) 15} Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved^(M) them, and he chose you,^(N) their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today.^{(O) 16} Circumcise^(P) your hearts,^(Q) therefore, and do not be stiff-necked^(R) any longer. ¹⁷ For the Lord your God is God of gods^(S) and Lord of lords,^(T) the great God, mighty and awesome,^(U) who shows no partiality^(V) and accepts no bribes.^{(W) 18} He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow,^(X) and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.^{(Y) 19} And you are to love^(Z) those who are foreigners,^(AA) for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.^{(AB) 20} Fear the Lord your God and serve him.^(AC) Hold fast^(AD) to him and take your oaths in his name.^{(AE) 21} He is the one you praise;^(AF) he is your God, who performed for you those great^(AG) and awesome wonders^(AH) you saw with your own eyes. ²² Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all,^(AI) and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.^(AJ)

Love and Obey the Lord

11 Love^(AK) the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.^(AL)

⁶ The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants,^(A) so that you may love^(B) him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

³ This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and to Jerusalem:

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people^(A) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:^(B) “Unless you are circumcised,^(C) according to the custom taught by Moses,^(D) you cannot be saved.”