Self-interpreting Bible

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2 Corinthians 3

1To do away with the imputation of vain glory, Paul sheweth that the gifts and graces of the Corinthians were a sufficient commendation of his ministry, 4the efficacy of which he ascribeth entirely to God. 6He proveth the superior excellency of the gospel ministry to that of the law; 12and thereupon justifieth his plain speaking, as under a dispensation of greater light and liberty than that of Moses.

1 DO awe begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, bepistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

2 cYe are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

3 *Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be dthe epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in etables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

4 And fsuch trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

5 gNot that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

6 Who also hhath made us able ministers of ithe new jtestament; knot of the letter, but of the spirit: for lthe letter killeth, but mthe spirit 1giveth life.

7 But if nthe ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not ostedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

    9 For if pthe ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

    10 For even that which was made glorious qhad no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

    11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

      12 Seeing then that we have such hope, rwe use great 2plainness of speech:

      13 And not as Moses, swhich put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look tto the end of that which is abolished:

      14 But utheir minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same *vail untaken away vin the reading of wthe old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

      15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the *vail is upon their heart.

      • *: vail-curtain.

      16 Nevertheless xwhen it shall turn to the Lord, the *vail shall be taken away.

      17 Now ythe Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, zthere is liberty.

      18 But awe all, with open face beholding as in a *glass the glory of the Lord, bare changed into the same image cfrom glory to glory, even as 3by the Spirit of the Lord.