Hebrews 9:1–10

The Earthly Sanctuary

9Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and ^athe earthly sanctuary. ²For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the ¹sanctuary; ^3band behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, ⁴which 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; ⁵and ^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

⁶Now when these things had been thus prepared, ⁱthe priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷But 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; ⁸the Holy Spirit indicating this, that ^lthe way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. ⁹It 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—¹⁰concerned only with ⁿfoods and drinks, ^ovarious ²washings, ^pand fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.