2 Corinthians 3:16-4:7

English Standard Version

¹⁶But when ^(A)one^[a] turns to the Lord, ^(B)the veil is removed. ¹⁷Now the Lord^[b] is the Spirit, and where ^(C)the Spirit of the Lord is, there is ^(D)freedom. ¹⁸And we all, with unveiled face, ^(E)beholding ^(F)the glory of the Lord,^[c] ^(G)are being transformed into the same image ^(H)from one degree of glory to another.^[d] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, having ^(I)this ministry ^(J)by the mercy of God,^[e] we do not lose heart. ²But we have renounced ^(K)disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice^[f] cunning or ^(L)to tamper with God's word, but ^(M)by the open statement of the truth ^(N)we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. ³And even ^(O)if our gospel is veiled, ^(P)it is veiled to ^(Q)those who are perishing. ⁴In their case ^(R)the god of this world ^(S)has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing ^(T)the light of ^(U)the gospel of the glory of Christ, ^(V)who is the image of God. ⁵For what ^(W)we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ^(X)ourselves as your servants^[g] for Jesus' sake. ⁶For God, who said, ^(Y)“Let light shine out of darkness,” ^(Z)has shone in our hearts to give ^(AA)the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Jars of Clay

⁷But we have this treasure in ^(AB)jars of clay, ^(AC)to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Footnotes

2 Corinthians 3:16 Greek he
2 Corinthians 3:17 Or this Lord
2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflecting the glory of the Lord
2 Corinthians 3:18 Greek from glory to glory
2 Corinthians 4:1 Greek having this ministry as we have received mercy
2 Corinthians 4:2 Greek to walk in
2 Corinthians 4:5 Or slaves (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)