Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁴ We can say this because we trust in God. And we trust in God because of Christ.

⁵ We are not good enough to think we can do anything ourselves. But God makes us able to do it.

⁶ God has made a new start with people. He has given us a new way back to God. It is not a written law. The Spirit gives it to us. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

⁷ The old law that brought death was written on pieces of rock. There was a very bright light when God gave it to the people. The people of Israel could not look at Moses because his face was so bright. And even as they saw it, the light on his face was going away.

⁸ Now bringing the law was bright and wonderful. Will not bringing the Spirit be far more bright and wonderful?

⁹ Bringing the law was a wonderful thing even though it brought death. So bringing the good news that people can be put right with God is much more wonderful.

¹⁰ The law was so bright and wonderful at first but has no light now. There is something else that is so much more bright and wonderful.

¹¹ The one which does not stay alive for ever came first in a great light. Does not the one which does stay alive have a much brighter light?