The Earthly Sanctuary

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.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

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.