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.

Hold Fast Your Confession

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.

The Just Live by Faith

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.