In the past, God gave us grace through the law of Moses. Now, grace and truth come to us through Jesus Christ.

律法本是藉着摩西传的；恩典和真理都是由耶稣基督来的。

律法是藉着摩西颁布的；恩典和真理却是由耶稣基督来的。

律法是藉着摩西颁布的；恩典和真理却是由耶稣基督来的。

因为律法是借着摩西颁布的，恩典和真理是借着耶稣基督赐下来的。

律法是藉着摩西颁布的，恩典和真理却是藉着耶稣基督而来的。

因为律法是藉着摩西赐下的，恩典和真理是藉着耶稣基督而来的。

律法本是藉着摩西傳的；恩典和真理都是由耶穌基督來的。

律法是藉着摩西頒佈的；恩典和真理卻是由耶穌基督來的。

律法是藉着摩西頒佈的；恩典和真理卻是由耶穌基督來的。

因為律法是藉著摩西頒佈的，恩典和真理是藉著耶穌基督賜下來的。

律法是藉著摩西頒布的，恩典和真理卻是藉著耶穌基督而來的。

因為律法是藉着摩西而頒賜；恩典與「真實」乃是藉着耶穌基督而來的。

因為律法是藉著摩西賜下的，恩典和真理是藉著耶穌基督而來的。

夫律由摩西而授、恩寵真理、則由耶穌基督而來、

例授自摩西、恩寵真理、則由耶穌基督、

蓋律法授自摩西、恩寵及真理則由耶穌基督而至、

蓋摩西所授者律法耳、至妙寵真諦、則由耶穌基督而溥施。

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

For the law was given by Moses,[ but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ.

For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Sin will no longer control you like a master. That’s because the law does not rule you. God’s grace has set you free.

Jesus answered,“ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What the law says, it says to those who are ruled by the law. Its purpose is to shut every mouth and make the whole world accountable to God.So no one will be considered right with God by obeying the law. Instead, the law makes us more aware of our sin.But now God has shown us his saving power without the help of the law. But the Law and the Prophets tell us about this.We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for the Gentiles.Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory.The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free.God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of his blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that he does what is right. He is a God of mercy. So he did not punish for their sins the people who lived before Jesus lived.God did all this to prove in our own time that he does what is right. He also makes right with himself those who believe in Jesus.

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be made“ clean” with blood. Without the spilling of blood, no one can be forgiven.

The law was given so that sin would increase. But where sin increased, God’s grace increased even more.Sin ruled and brought death. But grace rules in the lives of those who are right with God. The grace of God brings eternal life. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done.

Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free.”

The Law was written in letters on stone. Even though it was a way of serving God, it led to death. But even that way of serving God came with glory. The glory lasted for only a short time. Even so, the people of Israel couldn’t look at Moses’ face very long.Since all this is true, won’t the work of the Holy Spirit be even more glorious?The law that condemns people to death had glory. How much more glory does the work of the Spirit have! His work makes people right with God.The glory of the old covenant is nothing compared with the far greater glory of the new.

The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father. And the Word was full of grace and truth.

Didn’t Moses give you the law? But not one of you obeys the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”

They decided to meet Paul on a certain day. At that time even more people came to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening, he told them about God’s kingdom. Using the Law of Moses and the Prophets, he tried to get them to believe in Jesus.

All who depend on obeying the law are under a curse. It is written,“ May everyone who doesn’t continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law be under God’s curse.”( Deuteronomy 27:26)We know that no one who depends on the law is made right with God. This is because“ the one who is right with God will live by faith.”( Habakkuk 2:4)The law is not based on faith. In fact, it is just the opposite. It teaches that“ the person who does these things will live by them.”( Leviticus 18:5)Christ set us free from the curse of the law. He did it by becoming a curse for us. It is written,“ Everyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.”( Deuteronomy 21:23)

All nations on earth will be blessed because of your children. All these things will happen because you have obeyed me.”

“ Moses was faithful as one who serves in the house of God.”( Numbers 12:7) He was a witness to what God would say in days to come.But Christ is faithful as the Son over the house of God. And we are his house if we hold tightly to what we are certain about. We must also hold tightly to the hope we boast in.

But God found fault with the people. He said,“ The days are coming, announces the Lord. I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. I will also make it with the people of Judah.It will not be like the covenant I made with their people of long ago. That was when I took them by the hand. I led them out of Egypt. My new covenant will be different because they didn’t remain faithful to my old covenant. So I turned away from them, announces the Lord.This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds. I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God. And they will be my people.People will not teach their neighbor anymore. They will not say to one another,‘ Know the Lord.’ That’s because everyone will know me. From the least important to the most important, all of them will know me.I will forgive their evil ways. I will not remember their sins anymore.”( Jeremiah 31:31–34)

It isn’t possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.So when Christ came into the world, he said,“ You didn’t want sacrifices and offerings. Instead, you prepared a body for me.You weren’t pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings.Then I said,‘ Here I am. It is written about me in the book. I have come to do what you want, my God.’ ”( Psalm 40:6–8)First Christ said,“ You didn’t want sacrifices and offerings. You didn’t want burnt offerings and sin offerings. You weren’t pleased with them.” He said this even though they were offered in keeping with the law.Then he said,“ Here I am. I have come to do what you want.” He did away with the shadow of the good things that were coming. He did it to put in place the good things themselves.We have been made holy by what God wanted. We have been made holy because Jesus Christ offered his body once and for all time.

“ Do not think I will bring charges against you in front of the Father. Moses is the one who does that. And he is the one you build your hopes on.

Then the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Each one had a harp. They were holding golden bowls full of incense. They stand for the prayers of God’s people.Here is the new song they sang.“ You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals. You are worthy because you were put to death. With your blood you bought people for God. They come from every tribe, people and nation, no matter what language they speak.You have made them members of a royal family. You have made them priests to serve our God. They will rule on the earth.”

Here is what I mean. The law came 430 years after the promise. But the law does not get rid of God’s covenant and promise. The covenant had already been made by God. So the law does not do away with the promise.

Moses sent for all the Israelites. Here is what he said to them. Israel, listen to me. Here are the rules and laws I’m announcing to you today. Learn them well. Be sure to obey them.

“ Give praise to the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to his people and purchased their freedom.He has acted with great power and has saved us. He did it for those who are from the family line of his servant David.Long ago holy prophets said he would do it.He has saved us from our enemies. We are rescued from all who hate us.He has been kind to our people of long ago. He has remembered his holy covenant.He made a promise to our father Abraham.He promised to save us from our enemies. Then we could serve him without fear.He wants us to be holy and godly as long as we live.“ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him.You will tell his people how they can be saved. You will tell them that their sins can be forgiven.All of that will happen because our God is tender and caring. His kindness will bring the rising sun to us from heaven.It will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet on the path of peace.”

I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews. He teaches us that God is true. He shows us that God will keep the promises he made to the founders of our nation.Jesus became a servant of the Jews. He did this so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercy. It is written,“ I will praise you among the Gentiles. I will sing the praises of your name.”( 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49)Again it says,“ You Gentiles, be full of joy. Be joyful together with God’s people.”( Deuteronomy 32:43)And again it says,“ All you Gentiles, praise the Lord. Let all the nations sing praises to him.”( Psalm 117:1)And Isaiah says,“ The Root of Jesse will grow up quickly. He will rule over the nations. The Gentiles will put their hope in him.”( Isaiah 11:10)

Moses was with the Israelites in the desert. He was with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai. Moses was with our people of long ago. He received living words to pass on to us.

After this I looked, and there in front of me was a huge crowd of people. They stood in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb. There were so many that no one could count them. They came from every nation, tribe and people. That’s true no matter what language they spoke. They were wearing white robes. In their hands they were holding palm branches.They cried out in a loud voice,“ Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne. Salvation also belongs to the Lamb.”All the angels were standing around the throne. They were standing around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces in front of the throne and worshiped God.They said,“ Amen! May praise and glory and wisdom be given to our God for ever and ever. Give him thanks and honor and power and strength. Amen!”Then one of the elders spoke to me.“ Who are these people dressed in white robes?” he asked.“ Where did they come from?”I answered,“ Sir, you know.” He said,“ They are the ones who have come out of the time of terrible suffering. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.So“ they are in front of the throne of God. They serve him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will be with them to keep them safe.‘ Never again will they be hungry. Never again will they be thirsty. The sun will not beat down on them.’( Isaiah 49:10) The heat of the desert will not harm them.The Lamb, who is at the center of the area around the throne, will be their shepherd.‘ He will lead them to springs of living water.’( Isaiah 49:10)‘ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”( Isaiah 25:8)

He has helped the people of Israel, who serve him. He has always remembered to be kindto Abraham and his children down through the years. He has done it just as he promised to our people of long ago.”

We know that God spoke to Moses. But we don’t even know where this fellow comes from.”

I will make you and the woman hate each other. Your children and her children will be enemies. Her son will crush your head. And you will bite his heel.”

God has made a great many promises. They are all“ Yes” because of what Christ has done. So through Christ we say“ Amen.” We want God to receive glory.

He has shown his faithful love to the people of Israel. People from one end of the earth to the other have seen that our God has saved us.

Lord, I will sing about your great love forever. For all time to come, I will tell how faithful you are.I will tell everyone that your love stands firm forever. I will tell them that you are always faithful, even in heaven itself.

You will be faithful to Jacob’s people. You will show your love to Abraham’s children. You will do what you promised to do for our people. You made that promise long ago.

All these people were praised because they had faith. But none of them received what God had promised.That’s because God had planned something better for us. So they would only be made perfect together with us.

God raised Jesus from the dead. He will never rot in the grave. As God has said,“‘ Holy and sure blessings were promised to David. I will give them to you.’( Isaiah 55:3)In another place it also says,“‘ You will not let your holy one rot away.’( Psalm 16:10)“ David carried out God’s purpose while he lived. Then he died. He was buried with his people. His body rotted away.But the one whom God raised from the dead did not rot away.“ My friends, here is what I want you to know. I announce to you that your sins can be forgiven because of what Jesus has done.Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin. Moses’ law could not make you right in God’s eyes.

God’s truth and faithful love join together. His peace and holiness kiss each other.

They learn the law Moses gave us. It belongs to the community of the people of Jacob.

Here are all the words God spoke. He said,“ I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt. That is the land where you were slaves.“ Do not put any other gods in place of me.“ Do not make for yourself statues of gods that look like anything in the sky. They may not look like anything on the earth or in the waters either.Do not bow down to them or worship them. I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. I cause the sins of the parents to affect their children. I will cause the sins of those who hate me to affect even their grandchildren and great- grandchildren.But for all time to come I show love to all those who love me and keep my commandments.“ Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will find guilty anyone who misuses his name.“ Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy.Do all your work in six days.But the seventh day is a sabbath to honor the Lord your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and your animals. It also applies to any outsiders who live in your towns.In six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea and everything in them. But he rested on the seventh day. So the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.“ Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long time in the land the Lord your God is giving you.“ Do not murder.“ Do not commit adultery.“ Do not steal.“ Do not be a false witness against your neighbor.“ Do not want to have anything your neighbor owns. Do not want to have your neighbor’s house, wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey.”

Here is the law Moses gave the Israelites.