Hebrews 9:1–10:39
9 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and athe earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the 1sanctuary; 3 band behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the cgolden censer and dthe ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were ethe golden pot that had the manna, fAaron’s rod that budded, and gthe tablets of the covenant; 5 and habove it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Limitations of the Earthly Service
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, ithe priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone jonce a year, not without blood, which he offered for khimself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that lthe way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered mwhich cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10 concerned only with nfoods and drinks, ovarious 2washings, pand fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of qthe good things 3to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not rwith the blood of goats and calves, but swith His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place tonce for all, uhaving obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if vthe blood of bulls and goats and wthe ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, 4sanctifies for the 5purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without 6spot to God, xcleanse your conscience from ydead works zto serve the living God? 15 And for this reason aHe is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that bthose who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The Mediator’s Death Necessary
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For ca testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 dTherefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every 7precept to all the people according to the law, ehe took the blood of calves and goats, fwith water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, g“This is the hblood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise ihe sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are 8purified with blood, and jwithout shedding of blood there is no 9remission.
Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
23 Therefore it was necessary that kthe copies of the things in the heavens should be 1purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For lChrist has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are 2copies of mthe true, but into heaven itself, now nto appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as othe high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 pAnd as it is appointed for men to die once, qbut after this the judgment, 28 so rChrist was soffered once to bear the sins tof many. To those who ueagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Animal Sacrifices Insufficient
10 For the law, having a ashadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, bcan never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once 1purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For cit is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
d“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ ”
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, 2O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 eBy that will we have been 3sanctified fthrough the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified
11 And every priest stands gministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 hBut this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down iat the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting jtill His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being 4sanctified.
15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16 k“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, l“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is 5remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
19 Therefore, brethren, having mboldness 6to enter nthe Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and oliving way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us pdraw near with a true heart qin full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for rHe who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 snot forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and tso much the more as you see uthe Day approaching.
26 For vif we sin willfully wafter we have received the knowledge of the truth, there xno longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and yfiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three zwitnesses. 29 aOf how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, bcounted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, cand insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, d“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” 7says the Lord. And again, e“The Lord will judge His people.” 31 fIt is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But grecall the former days in which, after you were 8illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made ha spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while iyou became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on 9me jin my chains, and kjoyfully accepted the plundering of your 1goods, knowing that lyou have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves 2in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, mwhich has great reward. 36 nFor you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, oyou may receive the promise:
37 “For pyet a little while,
And qHe 3who is coming will come and will not 4tarry.
38 Now rthe 5just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those swho draw back to 6perdition, but of those who tbelieve to the saving of the soul.