14 But their minds were closed—they could not understand. Even today that same covering hides the meaning when they (the Jews) read the writings of the old agreement. {\cf2\super [15]} That covering has not been removed. It is taken away only through Christ.
14 but their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
14 In fact, their minds were grown hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away.
14 but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.
14 But their minds were closed. Right up to the present day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. The veil is not removed because it is taken away by Christ.
14 for their minds were obtuse. And, even until this present day, the very same veil, in the readings from the Old Testament, remains not taken away (though, in Christ, it is taken away).
You will show the people the Truth. The people will turn away from darkness (sin) to the light (good). They will turn away from the power of Satan, and they will turn to God. Then their sins can be forgiven. They can have a share with those people who have been made holy {\cf2\super [494]} by believing in me.’”
I want you to understand this secret truth, brothers and sisters. This truth will help you understand that you don’t know everything. The truth is this: Part of Israel {\cf2\super [124]} has been made stubborn. But that will change when enough non-Jews have come to God.
God once said, “The light will shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts. He gave us light by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.
There was a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira. Her job was selling purple cloth. She worshiped the true God. Lydia listened to Paul. The Lord opened her heart. She believed the things Paul said.
The law of Moses and the writings of the prophets {\cf2\super [257]} were read. Then the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to Paul and Barnabas: “Brothers, if you have something to say that will help the people here, please speak!”
“God made the people blind.\par God closed their minds.\par God did this so that they will not\par see with their eyes\par and understand with their minds.\par God did this so that they would not turn and be healed.”\par \i (Isaiah 6:10)\i0 \par
Later, Jesus talked to the people again. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. The person that follows me will never live in darkness. That person will have the light that gives life.”
If you look at people and want to help them, you will be full of light (goodness). But if you look at people in a selfish way, you will be full of darkness (evil). And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst kind of darkness. {\cf2\super [80]}
“Son of man, {\cf2\super [102]} you live among rebellious people—they always turn against me. They have eyes to see \{the things I have done for them\}. But they don’t see those things. They have ears to hear \{the things I told them to do\}. But they don’t hear my commands. Why? Because they are a rebellious people.
Those people don’t know what they are doing. They don’t understand! It is like their eyes are covered so they can’t see. Their hearts (minds) don’t try to understand.
We are like people without eyes.\par We walk into walls like blind people.\par We stumble and fall like it is night.\par Even in the daylight we can’t see.\par At noontime we fall like dead men.\par
The guards (prophets) are all blind.\par They don’t know what they are doing.\par They are like dogs that won’t bark.\par They lie on the ground and sleep.\par Oh, they love to sleep.\par
Confuse the people. Make the people not able to understand the things they hear and see. If you don’t do this, then people might really understand the things they hear with their ears. The people might really understand in their minds. If they did this, then the people might come back to me and be healed (forgiven)!”
God made us able to be servants of a new agreement \{from God to his people\}. This new agreement is not a written law. It is of the Spirit. {\cf2\super [9]} The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
They should not do these things, because there are still men (Jews) in every city who teach the law of Moses. The words of Moses have been read in the synagogue {\cf2\super [313]} every Sabbath day {\cf2\super [314]} for many years.”