⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira^(A) named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart^(B) to respond to Paul’s message.

⁴ The god^(A) of this age^(B) has blinded^(C) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,^(D) who is the image of God.^{(E) 5} For what we preach is not ourselves,^(F) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(G) and ourselves as your servants^(H) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](I) made his light shine in our hearts^(J) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(K)

²⁰ We know also that the Son of God has come^(A) and has given us understanding,^(B) so that we may know him who is true.^(C) And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.^(D)

¹⁴ This is why it is said:

¹⁴ But their minds were made dull,^(A) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant^(B) is read.^(C) 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,^(D) the veil is taken away.^{(E) 17} Now the Lord is the Spirit,^(F) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.^{(G) 18} And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a](H) the Lord’s glory,^(I) are being transformed into his image^(J) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.