Add parallel Print Page Options

Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men, being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God, not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away, won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11 For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13 and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away. 14 But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away. 15 But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you? Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men; being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh. And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, [a]written, and engraven on stones, came [b]with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory [c]was passing away: how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory? [d]For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth. 11 For if that which [e]passeth away was [f]with glory, much more that which remaineth is in glory.

12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13 and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly [g]on the end of that which [h]was passing away: 14 but their [i]minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil [j]remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ. 15 But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. 16 But whensoever [k]it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face [l]beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:7 Greek in letters.
  2. 2 Corinthians 3:7 Greek in.
  3. 2 Corinthians 3:7 Or, was being done away. Compare 1 Cor. 13:8, 10.
  4. 2 Corinthians 3:9 Many ancient authorities read For if the ministration of condemnation is glory.
  5. 2 Corinthians 3:11 Or, is being done away. See verse 7 margin.
  6. 2 Corinthians 3:11 Greek through.
  7. 2 Corinthians 3:13 Or, unto
  8. 2 Corinthians 3:13 Or, was being done away. See verse 7 margin.
  9. 2 Corinthians 3:14 Greek thoughts. 4:4; 11:3.
  10. 2 Corinthians 3:14 Or, remaineth unlifted; which veil is done away
  11. 2 Corinthians 3:16 Or, a man shall turn
  12. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or, reflecting as a mirror