Hebrews 9:17–28

¹⁷for a will means nothing while the person who made it is alive; it comes into effect only after his death. ¹⁸That is why even the first covenant^k came into effect only with the use of blood. ^19*First, Moses proclaimed to the people all the commandments as set forth in the Law. Then he took the blood of bulls and goats, mixed it with water, and sprinkled it on the book of the Law and all the people, using a sprig of hyssop and some red wool. ^20*He said, “This is the blood which seals the covenant that God has commanded you to obey.” ^21*In the same way Moses also sprinkled the blood on the Sacred Tent and over all the things used in worship. ^22*Indeed, according to the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and sins are forgiven only if blood is poured out.

Christ’s Sacrifice Takes Away Sins

²³Those things, which are copies of the heavenly originals, had to be purified in that way. But the heavenly things themselves require much better sacrifices. ²⁴For Christ did not go into a Holy Place made by human hands, which was a copy of the real one. He went into heaven itself, where he now appears on our behalf in the presence of God. ²⁵The Jewish High Priest goes into the Most Holy Place every year with the blood of an animal. But Christ did not go in to offer himself many times, ²⁶for then he would have had to suffer many times ever since the creation of the world. Instead, now when all ages of time are nearing the end, he has appeared once and for all, to remove sin through the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God. ^28*In the same manner Christ also was offered in sacrifice once to take away the sins of many. He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are waiting for him.