³ You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,^(A) not on tablets of stone^(B) but on tablets of human hearts.^(C)

⁴ Such confidence^(D) we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves^(E) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.^{(F) 6} He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant^(G)—not of the letter^(H) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.^(I)

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death,^(J) 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,^(K) transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation^(L) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!^{(M) 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,^(N) we are very bold.^{(O) 13} We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face^(P) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull,^(Q) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant^(R) is read.^(S) 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,^(T) the veil is taken away.^{(U) 17} Now the Lord is the Spirit,^(V) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.^{(W) 18} And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a](X) the Lord’s glory,^(Y) are being transformed into his image^(Z) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion^(A) until the day of Christ Jesus.^(B)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(A) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(B) or imagine, according to his power^(C) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(D)