Hebrews 9:1–14
Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle
9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.q 2 A tabernacler was set up. In its first room were the lampstands and the tablet with its consecrated bread;u this was called the Holy Place.v 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,w 4 which had the golden altar of incensex and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.y This ark contained the gold jar of manna,z Aaron’s staff that had budded,a and the stone tablets of the covenant.b 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,c overshadowing the atonement cover.d But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularlye into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest enteredf the inner room,g and that only once a year,h and never without blood,i which he offered for himselfj and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.k 8 The Holy Spirit was showingl by this that the waym into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustrationn for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offeredo were not able to clear the consciencep of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of foodq and drinkr and various ceremonial washingss—external regulationst applying until the time of the new order.
11 But when Christ came as high priestu of the good things that are now already here,a v he went through the greater and more perfect tabernaclew that is not made with human hands,x that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;y but he entered the Most Holy Placez once for alla by his own blood,b thus obtainingb eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bullsc and the ashes of a heiferd sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirite offered himselff unblemished to God, cleanse our consciencesg from acts that lead to death,c h so that we may serve the living God!i