CHAPTER 3
1 Begin we therefore again to praise us-selves? or whether we need, as some men, epistles [or letters] of praising to you, or of you?
2 Ye be our epistle, written in our hearts, which is known and read of all men,
3 and [ye be] made open, for ye be the epistle of Christ ministered of us, and written, not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not in stone tables, but in fleshly tables of heart.
4 For we have such trust by Christ to God;
5 not that we be sufficient to think anything of us-[selves], as of us, but our sufficience is of God.
6 Which also made us able ministers of the new testament, not by letter, but by Spirit; for the letter slayeth, but the Spirit quickeneth.
7 And if the ministration of death written by letter in stones was in glory, so that the children of Israel might not behold into the face of Moses, for the glory of his face, which [glory] is voided,
8 how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be more in glory?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation was in glory, much more the ministration of rightwiseness is plenteous in glory.
10 For neither that that was clear was glorified in this part for the excellent glory;
11 and if that that is voided was by glory, much more that that dwelleth still is in glory.
12 Therefore we that have such hope, use much trust;
13 and not as Moses laid [or put] a veil on his face, that the children of Israel should not behold into his face, which veil is voided.
14 But the wits of them be astonied; for into this day the same veil in [the] reading of the old testament, dwelleth not showed, for it is voided in Christ,
15 but into this day, when Moses is read, the veil is put on their hearts.
16 But when Israel shall be converted to God, the veil shall be done away.
17 And the Spirit is the Lord; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [Forsooth the Lord is a Spirit; forsooth where is the Spirit of God, there is liberty.]
18 And all we that with open face see the glory of the Lord, be transformed into the same image, from clearness into clearness, as of the Spirit of the Lord.