2 COR 3:7 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) [ref]The system which was inscribed on stone tablets and which results in death was so incredible when it was given that the Israelis couldn’t even bring themselves to look at Mosheh’s face because it shone so brightly. But if that system is being nullified,

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now if the ministry of this death—engraved in letters on stones—came in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look intently at the face of Moses because of the fading glory of his face,

UST Further, when Moses acted on behalf of the old agreement that condemned people to die, God carved the words of the agreement onto stone slabs. What Moses did was glorious enough that the Israelites could not gaze at his face afterwards because it reflected how glorious God is, although that would eventually go away.

BSB Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with {such} glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of [its] fleeting glory,

MSB Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with {such} glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of [its] fleeting glory,

BLB Now if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters on stones, was produced in glory, so as for the sons of Israel not to be able to look intently into the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his face which is fading,

AICNT Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was fading away,

OEB If the system of religion which involved death, embodied in a written Law and engraved on stones, began amid such glory, that the Israelites were unable to gaze at the face of Moses because of its glory, though it was but a passing glory,

WEBBE But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away,

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But if the ministry that produced death – carved in letters on stone tablets – came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective),

LSV And if the ministry of death, in letters, engraved in stones, came in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look steadfastly into the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face—which was being made useless,

FBV However, the old way of relating to God, written in letters carved in stone, ended in death, even though it came with God's glory—so much so that the Israelites couldn't even bear to look at Moses' face because it shone so brightly, even though the glory was fading.

TCNT Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its glory (a glory that was fading away),

T4T Moses taught the people that if they did not obey God’s laws completely they would be separated from God forever. God wrote his laws on stone slabs. Then he gave them to Moses to teach them to the people. Although God’s laws condemned the people to die, when Moses brought those laws down from Sinai Mountain, God caused Moses’ face to shine Moses’ face to shine radiantly to show the people that these laws were God’s laws. It shone. so brightly that the people of Israel could not keep looking at Moses’ face. They had to look away. But the brightness was slowly fading away.

LEB But if the ministry of death in letters carved on stone came with glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look intently into the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was transitory,

BBE For if the operation of the law, giving death, recorded in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the eyes of the children of Israel had to be turned away from the face of Moses because of its glory, a glory which was only for a time:

Moff Now if the administration of death which was engraved in letters of stone, was invested with glory — so much so, that the children of Israel could not gaze at the face of Moses on account of the dazzling glory that was fading from his face;

Wymth If, however, the service that proclaims death—its code being engraved in writing upon stones—came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily on the face of Moses because of the brightness of his face—a vanishing brightness;

ASV But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:

DRA Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious; so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which is made void:

YLT and if the ministration of the death, in letters, engraved in stones, came in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look stedfastly to the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face — which was being made useless,

Drby (But if the ministry of death, in letters, graven in stones, began with glory, so that the children of Israel could not fix their eyes on the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his face, [a glory] which is annulled;

RV But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:
(But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven/carved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away: )

SLT And if the service of death, in letters imprinted in stones, was in glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently to the face of Moses for the glory of his face; being left unemployed.

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

KJB-1769 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:
(But if the ministration of death, written and engraven/carved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: )

KJB-1611 But if the ministration of death written, and ingrauen in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly beholde the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which glorie was to be done away:
(But if the ministration of death written, and ingraven/carved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away:)

Bshps Yf the ministration of death, through the letters figured in stones, was in glorie, so that the chyldren of Israel coulde not beholde the face of Moyses, for the glorie of his countenaunce, whiche glorie is done away:
(If the ministration of death, through the letters figured in stones, was in glory, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which glory is done away:)

Gnva If then the ministration of death written with letters and ingrauen in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel coulde not beholde the face of Moses, for the glorie of his countenance (which glorie is done away.)
(If then the ministration of death written with letters and ingraven/carved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance (which glory is done away.) )

Cvdl But yf the mynistracion yt kylleth thorow the letter, and was figured in stones, was glorious, so that the childre of Israel mighte not beholde the face of Moses, for ye clearnesse of his countenauce, (which glory neuertheles is done awaye)
(But if the mynistracion it killeth/kills through the letter, and was figured in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel might not behold the face of Moses, for ye/you_all clearness of his countenance, (which glory nevertheless is done away))

TNT Yf the ministracion of deeth thorow the letters figured in stones was glorious so that the chyldren of Israel coulde not beholde the face of Moses for the glory of his countenauce (which glory neverthelesse is done awaye)
(If the ministracion of death through the letters figured in stones was glorious so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance (which glory neverthelesse is done away) )

Wycl And if the mynystracioun of deth write bi lettris in stoonys was in glorie, so that the children of Israel myyten not biholde in to the face of Moises, for the glorie of his cheer, which is auoidid,
(And if the mynystracioun of death write by lettris in stones was in glory, so that the children of Israel might not behold in to the face of Moses, for the glory of his cheer, which is avoidid,)

Luth So aber das Amt, das durch die Buchstaben tötet und in die Steine ist gebildet, Klarheit hatte, also daß die Kinder Israel nicht konnten ansehen das Angesicht Mose‘s um der Klarheit willen seines Angesichtes, die doch aufhöret,
(So but the office/authority, the through the letters kills and in the stones is gebildet, Klarheit had, also that the children Israel not could seen the face Moses‘s around/by/for the/of_the Klarheit will his facess, the though/but stops,)

ClVg Quod si ministratio mortis litteris deformata in lapidibus fuit in gloria, ita ut non possent intendere filii Israël in faciem Moysi propter gloriam vultus ejus, quæ evacuatur:
(That when/but_if servesio of_death litteris deformata in/into/on stones it_was in/into/on glory, so/thus as not/no they_could pay_attentionre children Israel in/into/on face of_Moses because glory face his, which evacuatur: )

UGNT εἰ δὲ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως, διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην;
(ei de haʸ diakonia tou thanatou en grammasin entetupōmenaʸ lithois egenaʸthaʸ en doxaʸ, hōste maʸ dunasthai atenisai tous huious Israaʸl eis to prosōpon Mōuseōs, dia taʸn doxan tou prosōpou autou, taʸn katargoumenaʸn;)

SBL-GNT Εἰ δὲ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν ⸀γράμμασιν ⸀ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τὴν καταργουμένην,
(Ei de haʸ diakonia tou thanatou en ⸀grammasin ⸀entetupōmenaʸ lithois egenaʸthaʸ en doxaʸ, hōste maʸ dunasthai atenisai tous huious Israaʸl eis to prosōpon Mōuseōs dia taʸn doxan tou prosōpou autou taʸn katargoumenaʸn,)

RP-GNT Εἰ δὲ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν, ἐντετυπωμένη ἐν λίθοις, ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην,
(Ei de haʸ diakonia tou thanatou en grammasin, entetupōmenaʸ en lithois, egenaʸthaʸ en doxaʸ, hōste maʸ dunasthai atenisai tous huious Israaʸl eis to prosōpon Mōuseōs dia taʸn doxan tou prosōpou autou, taʸn katargoumenaʸn,)

TC-GNT Εἰ δὲ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν, ἐντετυπωμένη [fn]ἐν λίθοις, ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον [fn]Μωϋσέως διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην,
(Ei de haʸ diakonia tou thanatou en grammasin, entetupōmenaʸ en lithois, egenaʸthaʸ en doxaʸ, hōste maʸ dunasthai atenisai tous huious Israaʸl eis to prosōpon Mōuseōs dia taʸn doxan tou prosōpou autou, taʸn katargoumenaʸn, )

3:7 εν ¦ — CT

3:7 μωυσεως ¦ μωυσεος PCK ¦ μωσεως TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–4:6: Confidence in the gospel of Jesus

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

3:7a–8

Paul included a lot of information in a complicated sentence here. He asked a rhetorical question that expected a yes answer:

If the ministry of the old covenant came with glory, will not the ministry of the new covenant be even more glorious? Yes, it will be even more glorious!

3:7b and 3:7c–d are extra information about the ministry of the old covenant. The General Comment at the end of the notes on 3:8 shows some ways to place the extra information without losing the main point.

This whole sentence is written as a question. But 3:7 is a statement of facts based on the Old Testament. Only 3:8 is the actual question. Having only one sentence causes the reader to compare the old ministry (3:7) to the new ministry (3:8). In some languages it is more natural to have two sentences here. For example:

⁷Now the ministry that brought death, 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, fading though it was. ⁸If that is true, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

3:7a

Now if the ministry of death,

¶ And the ministry of the written laws that brought death
¶ The old covenant caused the penalty of death. Now the work of serving that covenant,

Now: This word introduces another way in which the new covenant is different from the old covenant. It is not a time word. Other ways to translate this word are:

And

Also,

Some languages can allow the context to indicate the introduction and do not need to translate this word.

the ministry of death: This phrase refers to the ministry based on the law of Moses. The priests served God by teaching those laws to the Jewish people. Some of the punishments were death, therefore Paul said that this ministry was of death. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the ministry of the letter, which brings death

the ministry of the old covenant led to death

the ministry of the law of Moses that brought death as punishment

ministry: This word usually refers to the work of serving, helping, or caring for others. But in this context, the word refers to the priests doing the work that the law of Moses required. Paul used this word here to compare it later to his ministry (3:8). Other ways to translate this word are:

service

work

doing the work

This word in important in 3:7–11. Translate it in a similar way each time.

3:7b

which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory

and which was carved with letters in stone, began with glory/splendor,
started in glory/radiance. That work of serving is symbolized by the stone slabs that God wrote on.

which was engraved in letters on stone: This clause tells the reader more about “the ministry of death.” It does not imply that there are other ministries that brought death and this one was engraved in letters on stone. Some languages must translate differently to indicate the correct meaning. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here or use parentheses. For example:

^7bThe ministry that brought death was engraved in letters on stone. ^7aNow if it ^7bcame with glory,

Now if the ministry that brought death came with glory (that ministry was engraved in letters on stone),

This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

which God engraved in letters on stone

engraved: This word refers to carving into the stone. God carved the Ten Commandments into the stone tablets. Other ways to translate this word are:

carved (RSV)

inscribed (GW)

in letters: This phrase refers to the letters of the alphabet. God carved letters to make words and wrote the Ten Commandments. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

with letters

in written form (REB)

on stone: God made grooves in the shapes of letters in the stone tablets. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in stone (NLT)

on stone tablets (NET)

came with such glory: The Greek word that the BSB translates as came means “began to exist” here. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

occurred in such glory (NJB)

God’s glory appeared when it was given (GNT)

glory: The word glory refers literally to a very bright light. In this context it implies power, majesty, and greatness. When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, there was thunder and lightning, smoke and fire (Exodus 19:16–19). In Moses’ second visit to the mountain, the glory of God caused Moses’ face to shine (Exodus 34:29). Other ways to translate this word are:

splendor

radiance

3:7c–d

that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory: Moses talked with God and his face began to shine brightly (Exodus 34:29). When Moses left, the glory/radiance on his face began to fade. In some languages a literal translation would not make clear how Moses’ face became radiant. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain in your translation. For example:
Moses’ face also received some of that glory so that the Israelites could not look steadily at it because of its fleeting glory, fading as it was
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
Moses went to God so that God could give the Ten Commandments to him. The Ten Commandments were the first part of the old covenant. During that time, God gave him other laws, and on one occasion Moses asked to see God’s glory. Upon seeing it, his face began to shine brightly. After he left, the glory/radiance on his face began to fade.

3:7c

that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses

so that the people of Israel could not stare/gaze at Moses’ face
Moses’ face also received some of that glory and so the Israelites could only glance at it before looking away,

Israelites: The ending -ite means “a person of.” This word refers to the group of people named Israel. For example:

the people of Israel (GNT)

could not gaze: After Moses visited God on the mountain, his face shone very brightly. It shone so brightly that it hurt the eyes of those trying to look at him, so they could not gaze at him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

could not look intently (NASB)

could not stare

could only glance

3:7d

because of its fleeting glory,

because its glory was so bright, even though it was fading.
because of the glory/brightness/radiance, even though that glory was dimming.

fleeting: The glory on Moses’ face gradually dimmed. The glory shone less each day. For example:

that glory later dimmed

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)

Here, the word Now introduces a development of the ideas from the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a development, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: [Indeed,]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact

εἰ

Paul is speaking as if the glory of the ministry of death were a possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might think that what Paul is saying is not certain, then you can introduce the clause with a word such as “since” or “given that.” Alternate translation: [since] or [given that]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου

the service ¬the ˱of˲_death

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe a ministry that leads to death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the ministry that leads to death]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου

the service ¬the ˱of˲_death

Here, the word ministry could refer primarily to: (1) the action of ministering. In this case, the word refers to how Moses administered the old covenant. Alternate translation: [the service of this death] or [the act of ministering that led to death] (2) the system of ministry. In this case, the word refers to the old covenant or its laws. Alternate translation: [the system of this death] or [the laws that led to death]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου

the service ¬the ˱of˲_death

If your language does not use an abstract nouns for the idea of death, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “die.” Alternate translation: [the ministry that causes people die]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις

in letters ˓having_been˒_engraved ˱in˲_stones

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, Paul implies that God did it (See: also [Exodus 34:1](../exo/34/01.md)). Alternate translation: [which God engraved in letters on stones]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις

in letters ˓having_been˒_engraved ˱in˲_stones

Here Paul refers to how God engraved or carved the regulations for the ministry on stones or tablets. Much as in the previous verse, letters refers to written characters, so the point is that God used writing. Paul is probably referring to the story about how Moses met God on a mountain, and God carved the regulations of the covenant on two pieces of stone. You can read this story in [Exodus 34:1–28](../exo/34/01.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [engraved in writing by God onto two stone slabs]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ

˓was˒_become in glory

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “glorious” or “great.” Alternate translation: [was very great]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως, διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην

so_as (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)

Here Paul refers to a story about what happened after God engraved the stone tablets. When Moses returned to talk to the Israelites, his face shone brightly because he had been talking to God. In other words, some of God’s glory became part of Moses’ face, and the Israelites could not look intently at his face because it was a little like looking at God. You can read this story in [Exodus 34:29–35](../exo/34/29.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit or include a footnote explaining the story. Alternate translation: [so that the sons of Israel were not able to look carefully at the face of Moses because of the fading glory on his face that came from talking with God]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

τοὺς υἱοὺς

Although the word sons is masculine, Paul is using it to refer to any children or descendants, both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word that applies to both men and women or you could refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [the sons and daughters] or [the children]

Note 11 topic: translate-kinship

τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ

Here the author uses the word sons to refer in general to all the descendants of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to descendants in general. Alternate translation: [the descendants of Israel] or [those descended from Israel]

Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην

Here, the reason why the Israelites were not able to look intently at Moses’ face could be that: (1) Moses’ face was very “glorious.” Alternate translation: [because of the glory of his face, even though it was fading] (2) the glory of his face was fading. Alternate translation: [because the glory of his face was fading]

Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “glorious” or “shining.” Alternate translation: [how his face was shining, even though that was fading]

Note 14 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην

Here, the word fading could describe: (1) the glory of Moses’ face. Alternate translation: [the glory of his face that faded] (2) the ministry of this death. Alternate translation: [the glory of his face, although that ministry was fading away]

Parallel 2 COR 3:7

Section 3:1–4:6: Confidence in the gospel of Jesus

3:7a–8

3:7a

3:7b

3:7c–d

3:7c

3:7d

Parallel 2 COR 3:7