Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(A) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms^(B) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us^(C) in him before the creation of the world^(D) to be holy and blameless^(E) in his sight. In love^{(F) 5} he^[a] predestined^(G) us for adoption to sonship^[b](H) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(I) and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace,^(J) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^{(K) 7} In him we have redemption^(L) through his blood,^(M) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(N) of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[c] made known to us the mystery^(O) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed^(P) in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment^(Q)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.^(R)

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[d] having been predestined^(S) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose^(T) of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.^{(U) 13} And you also were included in Christ^(V) when you heard the message of truth,^(W) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,^(X) the promised Holy Spirit,^{(Y) 14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance^(Z) until the redemption^(AA) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.^(AB)

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)