The Radiant Face of Moses

²⁹ When Moses came down from Mount Sinai^(A) with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands,^(B) he was not aware that his face was radiant^(C) because he had spoken with the Lord. ³⁰ When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹ But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community^(D) came back to him, and he spoke to them. ³² Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands^(E) the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai.

³³ When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil^(F) over his face. ³⁴ But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, ³⁵ they saw that his face was radiant.^(G) Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.

Psalm 99

¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory^(A) as long as I live in the tent of this body,^{(B) 14} because I know that I will soon put it aside,^(C) as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.^{(D) 15} And I will make every effort to see that after my departure^(E) you will always be able to remember these things.

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,^(F) but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.^{(G) 17} He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”^{[a](H) 18} We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.^(I)

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,^(J) and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light^(K) shining in a dark place, until the day dawns^(L) and the morning star^(M) rises in your hearts.^{(N) 20} Above all, you must understand^(O) that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God^(P) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.^(Q)

The Transfiguration^(A)

²⁸ About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James^(B) with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.^{(C) 29} As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. ³⁰ Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. ³¹ They spoke about his departure,^[a](D) which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. ³² Peter and his companions were very sleepy,^(E) but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. ³³ As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master,^(F) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

³⁴ While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen;^(G) listen to him.”^{(H) 36} When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.^(I)