2Cor.3.7

The Government of Death, its constitution chiseled on stone tablets, had a dazzling inaugural. Moses' face as he delivered the tablets was so bright that day (even though it would fade soon enough) that the people of Israel could no more look right at him than stare into the sun.

2Cor.3.7

Now if the ministry that brought death, 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, fading though it was,

2Cor.3.7

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,

2Cor.3.7

That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet 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.

2Cor.3.8

How much more dazzling, then, the Government of Living Spirit?

2Cor.3.8

will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

2Cor.3.8

how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

2Cor.3.8

Shouldn't we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life?

2Cor.3.9

If the Government of Condemnation was impressive, how about this Government of Affirmation?

2Cor.3.9

If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

2Cor.3.9

For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

2Cor.3.9

If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God!

2Cor.3.10

Bright as that old government was, it would look downright dull alongside this new one.

2Cor.3.10

For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.

2Cor.3.10

For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.

2Cor.3.10

In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant.

2Cor.3.11

If that makeshift arrangement impressed us, how much more this brightly shining government installed for eternity?

2Cor.3.11

And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

2Cor.3.11

For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

2Cor.3.11

So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory.

2Cor.3.12

With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back.

2Cor.3.12

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

2Cor.3.12

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech--

2Cor.3.12

Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.

2Cor.3.13

Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn't notice that the glory was fading away--

2Cor.3.13

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.

2Cor.3.13

unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.

2Cor.3.13

We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away.

2Cor.3.14

and they didn't notice. They didn't notice it then and they don't notice it now, don't notice that there's nothing left behind that veil.

2Cor.3.14

But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.

2Cor.3.14

But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

2Cor.3.14

But the people's minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

2Cor.3.15

Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can't see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there's nothing there.

2Cor.3.15

Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

2Cor.3.15

But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.

2Cor.3.15

Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

2Cor.3.16

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are--face to face!

2Cor.3.16

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2Cor.3.16

Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2Cor.3.16

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away.

2Cor.3.17

They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it!

2Cor.3.17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2Cor.3.17

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2Cor.3.17

Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.

2Cor.3.18

All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

2Cor.3.18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2Cor.3.18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2Cor.3.18

And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.