Hebrews 9:1–10

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.