Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
7 Now if the dispensation of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such splendor that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness, fading as this was,
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, transitory though it was,
8 will not the dispensation of the Spirit be attended with greater splendor?
8
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
9 For if there was splendor in the dispensation of condemnation, the dispensation of righteousness must far exceed it in splendor.
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If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
10 Indeed, in this case, what once had splendor has come to have no splendor at all, because of the splendor that surpasses it.
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For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
11 For if what faded away came with splendor, what is permanent must have much more splendor.
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And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,
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Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not see the end of the fading splendor.
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We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.
14 But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
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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.
15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds;
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Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
16 but when a man turns to the Lord the veil is removed.
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But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.