Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice

1NOW the law, having a shadow of the good things which were to come, not the very substance of the things, cannot possibly, by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those perfect who approach God; 2else they would have discontinued to make the offering, because they who performed the service being once made clean, would have had no more sense of sins on their conscience. 3But in these sacrifices there is a commemoration of sins every year. 4For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin.

5Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, ?Sacrifice and oblation thou hast not chosen, but thou hast exactly fashioned a body for me:

6thou hast had no delight in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin:

7then I said, Here am I; (in the volume of the book it is written of me) I come to do thy will, O God.?

8Having said before that sacrifice, and oblation, and whole burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou hast not chosen, nor takest pleasure in, (which are offered according to the law,) 9he then added, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He abolishes the first that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.

11And every priest standeth indeed daily performing the divine service, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which cannot possibly take away sins: 12but this person, having offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever hath seated himself at the right hand of God; 13henceforth waiting till his enemies be put as a footstool for his feet. 14For by one oblation he hath made those perfect for ever who are sanctified. 15Now the Holy Ghost also beareth this testimony to us: for after declaring before,

16?This is the testament which I will appoint to them after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their hearts, even on their minds will I inscribe them;?

17he adds, ?and their sins and their iniquities I will in no wise remember any more.?

18Now where there is remission of these, no more offering for sin is needed.

A Call to Persevere
(Jude 1:17–23)

19Having therefore, brethren, entire liberty of entrance into the holies by the blood of Jesus? 20a way, which he hath consecrated for us, newly opened, and giving life, through the vail, that is, his flesh; 21and having a great priest over the house of God, 22let us come to him with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and the body washed with pure water: 23let us hold fast the profession of hope unwavering, (for he who promises is faithful.) 24and let us attentively observe one another, to excite an ardour of love and of good works: 25not deserting the assembling of ourselves together, as is the custom with some, but exhorting to it; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no more sacrifice for sins remaineth; 27but a certain terrible expectation of judgment, and a burning indignation, ready to devour these enemies. 28Any man who treated the law of Moses with neglect, was put to death, without mercy, on the deposition of two or three witnesses: 29by how much, think ye, shall he be counted worthy of more condign punishment who hath trampled on the Son of God, and regarded the blood of his testament, by which he was sanctified, as an unclean thing, and hath treated the gracious Spirit contumeliously? 30For we know him who declares, ?Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.? And again, ?The Lord will judge his people.? 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32But remember the past days in which, after ye had been illuminated, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 33partly while publicly exposed to revilings and tribulations, partly as being in communion with those who were treated in this manner. 34For ye have been fellow-sufferers with my bonds, and received with joy the plundering of your properties, knowing in yourselves that you have in the heavens a better substance, and permanent. 35Recede not therefore from your boldness of profession, which brings a great recompence of reward. 36For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.

37For yet a little, very little while, and he that is coming will come, and will not delay.

38?The just man then will live by faith;? and if he draw back, my soul shall have no delight in him.

39But we are not of those who turn back unto perdition; but of those who believe to the salvation of the soul.