whoalsomade us adequate[as] servantsof a newcovenant,not of the letterbut of the Spirit;for the letterkills,but the Spiritgives life.
"It is the Spiritwho gives life;the fleshprofitsnothing;the wordsthat I have spokento you are spiritand are life.
But nowwe have been releasedfrom the Law,having diedto that by whichwe were bound,sothat we servein newnessof the Spiritand not in oldnessof the letter.
"Behold,daysare coming,"declaresthe LORD,"when I will makea newcovenantwith the houseof Israeland with the houseof Judah,
For the lawof the Spiritof lifein ChristJesushas set you freefrom the lawof sinand of death.
and to Jesus,the mediatorof a newcovenant,and to the sprinkledblood,which speaksbetterthan[the blood] of Abel.
so muchthe morealsoJesushas becomethe guaranteeof a bettercovenant.
But their mindswere hardened;for untilthis verydayat the readingof the oldcovenantthe sameveilremainsunlifted,becauseit is removedin Christ.
Soalsoit is written,"The firstMAN,Adam,BECAMEA LIVINGSOUL."The lastAdam[became] a life-givingspirit.
becauseby the worksof the Lawnofleshwill be justifiedin His sight;for throughthe Law[comes] the knowledgeof sin.
Nowthe Godof peace,who broughtup from the deadthe greatShepherdof the sheepthroughthe bloodof the eternalcovenant,[even] Jesusour Lord,
And in the same way[He took] the cupafterthey had eaten,saying,"Thiscupwhich is pouredout for you is the newcovenantin My blood.
In the same way[He took] the cupalsoaftersupper,saying,"Thiscupis the newcovenantin My blood;dothis,as oftenas you drink[it], in remembranceof Me."
And Jesus saidto them, "Thereforeeveryscribewho has become a discipleof the kingdomof heavenis likea head of a household,whobringsout of his treasurethings newand old."
For Christalsodiedfor sinsonce for all,[the] justfor [the] unjust,sothat He might bringus to God,having been put to deathin the flesh,but made alivein the spirit;
Cursedis he whodoes not confirmthe wordsof thislawby doingthem.' And allthe peopleshall say,'Amen.'
In pointingout these thingsto the brethren,you will be a goodservantof ChristJesus,[constantly] nourishedon the wordsof the faithand of the sounddoctrinewhichyou have been following.
of whichI was madea minister,accordingto the giftof God'sgracewhich was givento me accordingto the workingof His power.
Is the Lawthencontraryto the promisesof God?May it neverbe! For ifa lawhad been givenwhich was ableto impart life,then righteousnesswould indeedhave beenbasedon law.
But ifthe ministryof death,in lettersengravedon stones,camewith glory,sothat the sonsof Israelcouldnot look intentlyat the faceof Mosesbecauseof the gloryof his face,fading[as] it was,
And Godhas appointedin the church,firstapostles,secondprophets,thirdteachers,thenmiracles,thengiftsof healings,helps,administrations,[various] kindsof tongues.
Whatthenis Apollos?And whatis Paul?Servantsthroughwhomyou believed,evenas the Lordgave[opportunity] to each one.
for the Lawbrings aboutwrath,but wherethere is nolaw,there also is noviolation.
"For justas the Fatherraisesthe deadand givesthem life,evensothe Sonalsogives lifeto whomHe wishes.
And He saidto them, "Thisis My bloodof the covenant,whichis pouredout for many.
for thisis My bloodof the covenant,which is pouredout for manyfor forgivenessof sins.
For ifthe ministryof condemnationhas glory,muchmoredoes the ministryof righteousnessaboundin glory.
(as it is written,"A FATHEROF MANYNATIONSHAVE I MADEYOU") in the presenceof Him whomhe believed,[even] God,who gives lifeto the deadand callsinto being that which does not exist.
throughwhomwe have receivedgraceand apostleshipto bring about[the] obedienceof faithamongallthe Gentilesfor His name'ssake,
Whatwas from the beginning,whatwe have heard,whatwe have seenwith our eyes,whatwe have lookedat and touchedwith our hands,concerningthe Wordof Life--
for whichI was appointeda preacherand an apostleand a teacher.
evenwhen we were deadin our transgressions,made us alive togetherwith Christ(by graceyou have beensaved),
Accordingto the graceof Godwhich was givento me, likea wisemaster builderI laida foundation,and anotheris buildingon it. But each manmust be carefulhowhe buildson it.
And you were deadin your trespassesand sins,
being manifestedthat you are a letterof Christ,caredfor by us, writtennot with inkbut with the Spiritof the livingGod,not on tabletsof stonebut on tabletsof humanhearts.
Are they servantsof Christ?--I speakas if insane--I more so;in far morelabors,in far moreimprisonments,beatentimes without number,oftenin danger of death.
WhenHe said,"A new[covenant]," He has madethe firstobsolete. But whatever is becoming obsoleteand growing oldis readyto disappear.
