² Do not conform^(A) to the pattern of this world,^(B) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(C) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(D)—his good, pleasing^(E) and perfect will.

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.

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

⁶ We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature,^(A) but not the wisdom of this age^(B) or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.^{(C) 7} No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery^(D) that has been hidden^(E) and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age^(F) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^{(G) 9} However, as it is written:

¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed^(I) to us by his Spirit.^(J)

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts^(K) except their own spirit^(L) within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit^(M) of the world,^(N) but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom^(O) but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.^{[b] 14} The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God^(P) but considers them foolishness,^(Q) and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit^(R) makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶ for,

But we have the mind of Christ.^(T)