The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ 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, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ 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) 18} And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a](O) the Lord’s glory,^(P) are being transformed into his image^(Q) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy^(R) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.^{(S) 2} Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(T) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(U) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(V) in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel^(W) is veiled,^(X) it is veiled to those who are perishing.^{(Y) 4} The god^(Z) of this age^(AA) has blinded^(AB) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,^(AC) who is the image of God.^{(AD) 5} For what we preach is not ourselves,^(AE) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(AF) and ourselves as your servants^(AG) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[b](AH) made his light shine in our hearts^(AI) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(AJ)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay^(AK) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God^(AL) and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side,^(AM) but not crushed; perplexed,^(AN) but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted,^(AO) but not abandoned;^(AP) struck down, but not destroyed.^{(AQ) 10} We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,^(AR) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.^{(AS) 11} For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,^(AT) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.^(AU)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[c](AV) Since we have that same spirit of^[d] faith,^(AW) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(AX) will also raise us with Jesus^(AY) and present us with you to himself.^{(AZ) 15} All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving^(BA) to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(BB) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(BC) we are being renewed^(BD) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(BE) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(BF) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.