¹⁵ Yet, even today, when they read the books of Moses, a veil covers their minds. ¹⁶ But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

¹⁷ This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ As all of us reflect the Lord’s glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Paul Is Never Discouraged

4 We don’t become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy.

³ So if the Good News that we tell others is covered with a veil, it is hidden from those who are dying. ⁴ The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. As a result, they don’t see the light of the Good News about Christ’s glory. It is Christ who is God’s image.

⁵ Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. ⁶ We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face.

²⁰ I can guarantee that unless you live a life that has God’s approval and do it more faithfully than the experts in Moses’ Teachings and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus Talks about Anger

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Never murder. Whoever murders will answer for it in court.’ ²² But I can guarantee that whoever is angry with another believer ^[a] will answer for it in court. Whoever calls another believer an insulting name will answer for it in the highest court. Whoever calls another believer a fool will answer for it in hellfire.

²³ “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember there that another believer has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift at the altar. First go away and make peace with that person. Then come back and offer your gift.

²⁵ “Make peace quickly with your opponent while you are on the way to court with him. Otherwise, he will hand you over to the judge. Then the judge will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. ²⁶ I can guarantee this truth: You will never get out until you pay every penny of your fine.