But they still don’t understand; to this day, the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. The veil has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.
to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God. I want them to have their sins forgiven and find a place among God’s people by believing in me.’
Brothers and sisters, here’s a mystery I want you to understand. It will keep you from being proud. Part of Israel has refused to obey God, and that will continue until the full number of Gentiles has entered God’s kingdom.
God said, “Let light shine out of darkness.” And he made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light we needed to know God’s glory, which is shown in the face of Christ.
One of the women who listened to us was named Lydia. She was from the city of Thyatira, and she had a business selling purple cloth. She already believed in God, and the Lord opened her heart to accept Paul’s message.
After someone read aloud from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to Paul and his group. They said, “Brothers, do you have any words of instruction for the people? If you do, please speak.”
“The Lord has blinded their eyes, and he has closed their minds, so they can’t see with their eyes, and they can’t understand with their minds or turn to the Lord—if they could, he would heal them.”
Jesus spoke to the people again and said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have the light of life.”
He has given us the power to serve under a new covenant. It’s not based on the written Law of Moses; it comes from the Holy Spirit. The written Law kills, but the Spirit gives life.
This will show respect for the law of Moses, since it has been preached in every city from the earliest times, and it’s read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”