2 Corinthians 3:4-9
King James Version
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly 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 the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
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2 Corinthians 3:4-9
New International Version
4 Such confidence(A) we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves(B) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.(C) 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant(D)—not of the letter(E) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.(F)
The Greater Glory of the New Covenant
7 Now if the ministry that brought death,(G) 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,(H) transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation(I) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!(J)
2 Corinthians 3:4-9
New King James Version
The Spirit, Not the Letter
4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 (A)Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but (B)our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as (C)ministers of (D)the new covenant, not (E)of the letter but of the [a]Spirit; for (F)the letter kills, (G)but the Spirit gives life.
Glory of the New Covenant
7 But if (H)the ministry of death, (I)written and engraved on stones, was glorious, (J)so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will (K)the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry (L)of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
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- 2 Corinthians 3:6 Or spirit
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.