9 The first agreement included rules about how people should worship God. It also spoke about a special place for people to worship God on this earth. 2 Israel's people made a special tent for God. [ a ] The first room in that tent was called the holy place. The special lampstand was in this room. The special table with the bread which they offered to God was there too. [ b ]
3 Behind a second curtain, there was a very special room. It was called the Most Holy Place. 4 The gold altar for incense was in there. [ c ] The Covenant Box was there too. [ d ] The box had gold on all its sides. Inside the box was the gold pot that contained the special food called manna. [ e ] The box also contained Aaron's stick that had grown leaves. [ f ] It also contained the two flat stones on which God had written the rules of his agreement with his people. 5 The shapes of two special angels stood on the top of the box. They were made from gold and they showed that God was there with great power. The angels held out their wings over the lid of the box. That lid was the place where God forgave the people's sins. But we cannot explain everything about these things now.
6 So that was how they prepared the special tent. Then the priests would go into the first room of the tent every day. They went in there to serve God, as his rules taught. 7 But only the special leader of the priests could go into the second room. He went in there only once every year. [ g ] He had to take with him blood from an animal that they had killed. He offered the blood to God on his own behalf, so that God would forgive his sins. He also offered it on behalf of the people. Then God would forgive their mistakes too.
8 In this way, God's Holy Spirit was showing that the most holy place was not yet open to everyone. While the tent with its first room was still there, those were the rules for people to worship God. 9 This is like a picture that means something for us today. It teaches us about the gifts and sacrifices that people offered to God, to worship him. When someone gave those things to God, it could not make him clean again in his mind. 10 The old rules taught people about different kinds of food and drink. They taught about how people should wash in special ways. Those rules were about people's bodies. They had authority only until the time when God would make things new and better.
11 But now Christ has come as our special priest. He brings us the good things that are now here. He has gone into God's own place in heaven. That is a greater and much better tent than the old tabernacle. No person made this tent. It does not belong to this world at all. 12 Christ went into the Most Holy Place on our behalf. He did this once, for all time. He did not take with him the blood of goats or young cows when he went in there. Instead, he took the blood of his own death to offer to God. In that way, he made us free from sin for ever. 13 The old rules said that the priest must use the blood of goats or bulls to make people clean. Or he could burn a young cow and mix the ashes with water. [ h ] He would then splash the blood or the ashes over the people who were unclean. Then those people became clean again in their bodies, and they could worship God.
14 But the blood of Christ's sacrifice will do much more than that! Christ offered himself to God, in the power of his Spirit, who lives for ever. That sacrifice was completely good. There was no wrong thing in Christ. He offered his own blood to make us completely clean inside ourselves. We no longer have to do things that lead to death. Instead, we can serve the God who lives for ever. 15 So, by Christ's death, God brings a new agreement between him and his people. God's people receive from him the good things that will be with them for ever. God has promised to give those things to the people that he has chosen. Christ's death has made them free from their sins. God will no longer punish them like the first agreement says should happen.
16 Think about this. A person may make an agreement about who will receive his things after his death. But nobody receives anything until it is clear that the person has really died. 17 The agreement only has authority after the death of the person who made it. It has no authority while that person is still alive.
18 So even God's first agreement with his people needed the blood of an animal. The agreement only had authority after a death. 19 It was like this. Moses read God's laws aloud to all Israel's people. He told them every rule that God had given them. After that, Moses killed some young cows and goats. He took some of their blood and he mixed it with water. He threw some of the blood to drop onto the book of God's laws. He also caused some to drop onto all the people. He used red sheep's hair and some small branches of a plant called hyssop to throw the blood and water. 20 When Moses did this, he said to the people, ‘This blood shows that God's agreement with you has authority.’ 21 In the same way, Moses threw some of the blood onto the tabernacle. He also caused blood to drop onto all the things that the priests used to serve God there. [ i ] 22 God's Law taught that blood was necessary to make almost everything clean. We see that God does not forgive people for their sins unless there is blood from a death.
23 The tabernacle and the things that were in it needed animals' blood to make them clean. That was a picture of the true place in heaven where people worship God. But the true things in heaven need better sacrifices to make them clean than the sacrifices of animals. 24 Christ did not go into a holy place that people had made on earth. A place like that is only a picture of the true place in heaven. No, Christ went into heaven itself, where God is. Now he is there with God and he speaks to God on our behalf.
25 The leader of the priests here on earth goes into the Most Holy Place every year. Each time, he takes with him the blood of an animal and he offers it to God. But when Christ went into heaven to offer himself to God, he did not do that again and again. 26 To do that, he would need to die again and again, many times since the world began. No! Christ has appeared just once. He has appeared now, when time is near its end. He came and he died as a sacrifice. In that way, he has removed the power of sin. 27 Every person must die once. After death, God will judge each person. 28 Christ also died only once as a sacrifice. In this way, he took God's punishment for the sins of many people. Christ will return to earth a second time, but that will not be as a sacrifice for sins. That time, he will come to save those people who are waiting patiently for him.
9 The first agreement had rules for worship and a place for worship here on earth. 2 This place was inside a tent. The first area in the tent was called the Holy Place. In the Holy Place were the lamp and the table with the special bread offered to God. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place. 4 In the Most Holy Place was a golden altar for burning incense. And also there was the Box of the Agreement. The Box was covered with gold. Inside this Box was a golden jar of manna and Aaron’s rod—the rod that once grew leaves. Also in the Box were the flat stones with the Ten Commandments of the old agreement on them. 5 Above the Box were the Cherub angels that showed God’s glory. These Cherub angels were over the place of mercy. [ a ] But we cannot say everything about this now.
6 Everything in the tent was made ready in the way I have explained. Then the priests went into the first room every day to do their worship duties. 7 But only the high priest could go into the second room, and he went in only once a year. Also, he could never enter that room without taking blood with him. He offered that blood to God for himself and for the sins the people committed without knowing they were sinning.
8 The Holy Spirit uses those two separate rooms to teach us that the way into the Most Holy Place [ b ] was not open while the first room was still there. 9 This is an example for us today. It shows that the gifts and sacrifices the priests offer to God are not able to make the consciences of the worshipers completely clear. 10 These gifts and sacrifices are only about food and drink and special washings. They are only rules about the body. God gave them for his people to follow until the time of his new way.
11 But Christ has already come to be the high priest. He is the high priest of the good things we now have. But Christ does not serve in a place like the tent that those other priests served in. He serves in a better place. Unlike that tent, this one is perfect. It was not made by anyone here on earth. It does not belong to this world. 12 Christ entered the Most Holy Place only one time—enough for all time. He entered the Most Holy Place by using his own blood, not the blood of goats or young bulls. He entered there and made us free from sin forever.
13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a cow were sprinkled on those who were no longer pure enough to enter the place of worship. The blood and ashes made them pure again—but only their bodies. 14 So surely the blood sacrifice of Christ can do much more. Christ offered himself through the eternal Spirit [ c ] as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make us completely clean from the evil we have done. It will give us clear consciences so that we can worship the living God.
15 So Christ brings a new agreement from God to his people. He brings this agreement so that those who are chosen by God can have the blessings God promised, blessings that last forever. This can happen only because Christ died to free people from sins committed against the commands of the first agreement.
16 When someone dies and leaves a will, there must be proof that the one who wrote the will is dead. 17 A will means nothing while the one who wrote it is still living. It can be used only after that person’s death. 18 That is why blood was needed to begin the first agreement between God and his people. 19 First, Moses told the people every command in the law. Then he took the blood of young bulls and mixed it with water. He used red wool and a branch of hyssop to sprinkle the blood and water on the book of the law and on all the people. 20 Then he said, “This is the blood that makes the agreement good—the agreement that God commanded you to follow.” [ d ] 21 In the same way, Moses sprinkled the blood on the Holy Tent. He sprinkled the blood over everything used in worship. 22 The law says that almost everything must be made clean by blood. Sins cannot be forgiven without a blood sacrifice.
23 These things are copies of the real things that are in heaven. These copies had to be made clean by animal sacrifices. But the real things in heaven must have much better sacrifices. 24 Christ went into the Most Holy Place. But it was not the man-made one, which is only a copy of the real one. He went into heaven, and he is there now before God to help us.
25 The high priest enters the Most Holy Place once every year. He takes with him blood to offer. But he does not offer his own blood like Christ did. Christ went into heaven, but not to offer himself many times like the high priest offers blood again and again. 26 If Christ had offered himself many times, he would have needed to suffer many times since the time the world was made. But he came to offer himself only once. And that once is enough for all time. He came at a time when the world is nearing an end. He came to take away all sin by offering himself as a sacrifice.
27 Everyone must die once. Then they are judged. 28 So Christ was offered as a sacrifice one time to take away the sins of many people. And he will come a second time, but not to offer himself for sin. He will come the second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
9 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
9 Now even the first covenant had ( A ) regulations for divine worship and ( B ) the earthly sanctuary. 2 For ( C ) a [ a ] tabernacle was equipped, the [ b ] outer sanctuary , in which were ( D ) the lampstand, ( E ) the table, and ( F ) the [ c ] sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind ( G ) the second veil there was a [ d ] tabernacle which is called the ( H ) Most Holy Place, 4 having a golden [ e ] ( I ) altar of incense and ( J ) the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ( K ) a golden jar holding the manna, ( L ) Aaron’s staff which budded, and ( M ) the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the ( N ) cherubim of glory ( O ) overshadowing the [ f ] atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ( P ) are continually entering the [ g ] outer [ h ] tabernacle, performing the divine worship, 7 but into ( Q ) the second, only ( R ) the high priest enters ( S ) once a year, ( T ) not without taking blood which he ( U ) offers for himself and for the [ i ] ( V ) sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 ( W ) The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ( X ) that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the [ j ] outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ( Y ) both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ( Z ) cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to ( AA ) food, ( AB ) drink, and various ( AC ) washings, ( AD ) regulations for the [ k ] body imposed until ( AE ) a time of reformation.
11 But when Christ appeared as a ( AF ) high priest of the ( AG ) good things [ l ] having come, He entered through ( AH ) the greater and more perfect [ m ] tabernacle, ( AI ) not made by hands, that is, ( AJ ) not of this creation; 12 and not through ( AK ) the blood of goats and calves, but ( AL ) through His own blood, He ( AM ) entered the holy place ( AN ) once for all time , [ n ] having obtained ( AO ) eternal redemption. 13 For if ( AP ) the blood of goats and bulls, and ( AQ ) the [ o ] ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the [ p ] cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will ( AR ) the blood of Christ, who through [ q ] ( AS ) the eternal Spirit ( AT ) offered Himself without blemish to God, ( AU ) cleanse your conscience from ( AV ) dead works to serve ( AW ) the living God?
15 For this reason ( AX ) He is the ( AY ) mediator of a ( AZ ) new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ( BA ) called may ( BB ) receive the promise of ( BC ) the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a [ r ] covenant, there must of necessity [ s ] be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a [ t ] covenant is valid only when people are dead, [ u ] for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been ( BD ) spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ( BE ) he took the ( BF ) blood of the calves and the goats, with ( BG ) water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ( BH ) the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “ ( BI ) This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you .” 21 And in the same way he ( BJ ) sprinkled both the [ v ] tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And ( BK ) almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ( BL ) without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore it was necessary for the ( BM ) copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ( BN ) the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ ( BO ) did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ( BP ) the true one, but into ( BQ ) heaven itself, now ( BR ) to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ( BS ) the high priest enters ( BT ) the Holy Place ( BU ) year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ( BV ) the foundation of the world; but now ( BW ) once at ( BX ) the consummation of the ages He has been ( BY ) revealed to put away sin [ w ] ( BZ ) by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as ( CA ) it is destined for people to die once, and after this ( CB ) comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been ( CC ) offered once to ( CD ) bear the sins of many, will appear ( CE ) a second time for ( CF ) salvation ( CG ) without reference to sin, to those who ( CH ) eagerly await Him.
9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. ( A ) 2 A tabernacle ( B ) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand ( C ) and the table ( D ) with its consecrated bread; ( E ) this was called the Holy Place. ( F ) 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ( G ) 4 which had the golden altar of incense ( H ) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. ( I ) This ark contained the gold jar of manna, ( J ) Aaron’s staff that had budded, ( K ) and the stone tablets of the covenant. ( L ) 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, ( M ) overshadowing the atonement cover. ( N ) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly ( O ) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered ( P ) the inner room, ( Q ) and that only once a year, ( R ) and never without blood, ( S ) which he offered for himself ( T ) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. ( U ) 8 The Holy Spirit was showing ( V ) by this that the way ( W ) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration ( X ) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered ( Y ) were not able to clear the conscience ( Z ) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food ( AA ) and drink ( AB ) and various ceremonial washings ( AC ) —external regulations ( AD ) applying until the time of the new order.
11 But when Christ came as high priest ( AE ) of the good things that are now already here, [ a ] ( AF ) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle ( AG ) that is not made with human hands, ( AH ) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; ( AI ) but he entered the Most Holy Place ( AJ ) once for all ( AK ) by his own blood, ( AL ) thus obtaining [ b ] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls ( AM ) and the ashes of a heifer ( AN ) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit ( AO ) offered himself ( AP ) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences ( AQ ) from acts that lead to death, [ c ] ( AR ) so that we may serve the living God! ( AS )
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator ( AT ) of a new covenant, ( AU ) that those who are called ( AV ) may receive the promised ( AW ) eternal inheritance ( AX ) —now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. ( AY )
16 In the case of a will, [ d ] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. ( AZ ) 19 When Moses had proclaimed ( BA ) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, ( BB ) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. ( BC ) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” [ e ] ( BD ) 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, ( BE ) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. ( BF )
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies ( BG ) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; ( BH ) he entered heaven itself, ( BI ) now to appear for us in God’s presence. ( BJ ) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place ( BK ) every year with blood that is not his own. ( BL ) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. ( BM ) But he has appeared ( BN ) once for all ( BO ) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. ( BP ) 27 Just as people are destined to die once, ( BQ ) and after that to face judgment, ( BR ) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once ( BS ) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, ( BT ) not to bear sin, ( BU ) but to bring salvation ( BV ) to those who are waiting for him. ( BW )
