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(A)The Law was carved in letters on stone tablets, and God's glory appeared when it was given. Even though the brightness on Moses' face was fading, it was so strong that the people of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed on him. If the Law, which brings death when it is in force, came with such glory, how much greater is the glory that belongs to the activity of the Spirit! The system which brings condemnation was glorious; how much more glorious is the activity which brings salvation! 10 We may say that because of the far brighter glory now the glory that was so bright in the past is gone. 11 For if there was glory in that which lasted for a while, how much more glory is there in that which lasts forever!

12 Because we have this hope, we are very bold. 13 (B)We are not like Moses, who had to put a veil over his face so that the people of Israel would not see the brightness fade and disappear. 14 Their minds, indeed, were closed; and to this very day their minds are covered with the same veil as they read the books of the old covenant. The veil is removed only when a person is joined to Christ. 15 Even today, whenever they read the Law of Moses, the veil still covers their minds. 16 (C)But it can be removed, as the scripture says about Moses: “His veil was removed when he turned to the Lord.”[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:16 Verse 16 may be translated: But the veil is removed whenever someone turns to the Lord.

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)

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