<p>3:9 <i>For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness exceed in glory- </i>The contrast is not between condemnation and salvation, but between condemnation and righteousness. The context in :4 and :5 is of imputed righteousness being the basis of salvation. The blinding glory associated with the theophanies on Sinai and the tabernacle was nothing compared to the glory which was manifested in the Lord Jesus. </p>