¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,^(A) the veil is taken away.^{(B) 17} Now the Lord is the Spirit,^(C) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.^{(D) 18} And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate^[a](E) the Lord’s glory,^(F) are being transformed into his image^(G) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy^(H) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.^(I)

³ And even if our gospel^(A) is veiled,^(B) it is veiled to those who are perishing.^{(C) 4} The god^(D) of this age^(E) has blinded^(F) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,^(G) who is the image of God.^{(H) 5} For what we preach is not ourselves,^(I) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(J) and ourselves as your servants^(K) for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a](L) made his light shine in our hearts^(M) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.^(N)