²⁹ When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant,^[a] he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord.

² As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.

²⁹ And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

¹⁵ Then Moses turned and went down the mountain. He held in his hands the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant.^[a] They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.

¹⁶ He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

¹³ We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.

The Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ The old way,^[a] with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. ⁸ Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? ⁹ If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

The Angel and the Small Scroll

10 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.

¹⁵ At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

¹³ The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd.