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InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
2 Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13
2 Cor 3 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V14 V16 V17 V18
OET (OET-LV) But to today whenever wishfully may_be_being_read Mōsaʸs, a_veil from the heart of_them is_lying.
OET (OET-RV) So these days whenever Mosheh’s writings are being read, a veil lies across their hearts,
The false teachers in Corinth were Jews (11:22). In this section, Paul wrote about some of the false teachings of these men. Since they were Jews, Paul referred to people and events in the Old Testament, such as the tablets of stone (3:3), Moses (3:7), and Moses’ veil (3:13). They probably brought letters from other false teachers who said the false teachers in Corinth taught truthfully (3:1–3). The false teachers taught that believers must obey the Jewish laws. But Paul said that believers follow the new covenant with Jesus and not the old covenant with the Jews (3:14). He also spoke against their secret and shameful ways and said that they corrupted God’s word (4:2). Throughout this section Paul also encouraged the believers to follow Jesus.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
The Ministry That Comes From Christ Is Greater Than Moses’ Ministry (GW)
The new covenant is greater than the law of Moses
And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
But/Even to this day a veil of dullness covers their hearts whenever the books of Moses are read.
From then until now, when they read the books of Moses, that dullness prevents them from truly understanding.
And even to this day: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as And even is literally “but.” There is contrast between the veil being removed when an Israelite believes (3:14d) and the veil remaining for those who follow the old covenant, so many English versions translate this conjunction as “but.” For example:
But until this very day (NET)
However, other English versions do not translate the conjunction as “But,” since 3:15 agrees with the veil not being removed, which is the main idea in 3:14c–d. For example:
Yes, to this day (ESV)
when Moses is read: The name Moses refers figuratively to the books that Moses wrote. Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, but probably the rest of the Old Testament is implied here. If people will not understand what the name Moses refers to here, you may want to explain in your translation. For example:
when the books of Moses are read
This clause is passive. The clause probably refers generally to Israelites/Jews reading the books. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
when the Israelites/Jews read the books of Moses
whenever they read the Law of Moses (GNT)
a veil covers their hearts: This clause continues the figurative use of the word veil from 3:14a–b. You may want to:
Translate literally if the metaphor has the correct meaning of veil from 3:14a–b.
Explain the meaning again in your translation. For example:
a veil of dullness covers their hearts
dullness like a veil prevents understanding in their hearts
hearts: This word refers figuratively to the part of people where true understanding occurs. In your language, refer to this part of people. This may be another organ such as the liver, or it may be a general term such as “insides.” For example:
minds (RSV)
livers/insides
Your language may not use a part of the body for a figurative meaning of true understanding. In that case, translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:
true understanding
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast
ἀλλ’
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἄν ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς κάλυμμα ἐπί τήν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται)
Here, the word But introduces a contrast with what Paul said in the previous verse about the veil “fading away” in Christ ([3:14](../03/14.md)). What Paul says in the rest of the verse repeats many of the ideas from the first parts of [3:14](../03/14.md). Consider whether a contrast word or a connecting word expresses the idea most clearly. Alternate translation: [However,] or [In fact,]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy
ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς
˓may_be_being˒_read Moses
Here, the word Moses could refer to: (1) the first five books of the Old Testament, often called “the Law” or the “Pentateuch.” Alternate translation: [the Law is read] or [the first parts of the Old Testament are read] (2) the entire Old Testament. Alternate translation: [the Scriptures are read] or [the Old Testament is read]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς
˓may_be_being˒_read Moses
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, you could use an indefinite subject. Alternate translation: [someone reads Moses] or [they hear someone read Moses]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται
˓a˒_veil (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἄν ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς κάλυμμα ἐπί τήν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται)
Here Paul continues to refer to a veil that keeps people from understanding the Scriptures. Express the metaphor as you did in [3:14](../03/14.md). Alternate translation: [their lack of understanding is like a veil that lies over their heart] or [they do not understand, as if a veil lies over their heart]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy
ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἄν ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς κάλυμμα ἐπί τήν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται)
In Paul’s culture, the heart is the place where humans think and feel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate heart by referring to the place where humans think and feel in your culture or by expressing the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [over their mind] or [over their understanding]
Note 6 topic: grammar-collectivenouns
τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἄν ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς κάλυμμα ἐπί τήν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται)
Here, the word heart is a singular noun that refers to the “hearts” of many people. It may be more natural in your language to use a plural form. Alternate translation: [their hearts] or [each of their hearts]
Note 7 topic: writing-pronouns
τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἄν ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς κάλυμμα ἐπί τήν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται)
Here, the word their could refer to: (1) anyone who hears the reading of Moses without being “in Christ.” Alternate translation: [the hearts of those who listen] (2) the same people that “their” referred to in [3:14](../03/14.md): the Israelites. Alternate translation: [the Israelites’ heart]
3:4-18 The contrast between Paul’s ministry and the others’ ministries leads Paul to contrast the old covenant of written laws (Exod 31:18) with the new covenant written on human hearts (Jer 31:33).
OET (OET-LV) But to today whenever wishfully may_be_being_read Mōsaʸs, a_veil from the heart of_them is_lying.
OET (OET-RV) So these days whenever Mosheh’s writings are being read, a veil lies across their hearts,
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.