The Old Covenant

1Now even the first covenant had requirements of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2For there was a tabernacle prepared: the first part, in which were the lampstand and the table and the [†]sacred bread, which is called the holy place. 3And behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4having a golden [†]altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the [†]mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the first part of the tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the [†]sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the holy places has not yet been manifested while that first part of the tabernacle is still standing, 9which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, requirements for the [†]body imposed until a time of reformation.

The New Covenant

11But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things [†]to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy places once for all, [†]having obtained eternal redemption. 13For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the [†]cleansing of the flesh, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through [†]the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse [†]your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the trespasses that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16For where a [†]covenant is, there must of necessity [†]be the death of the one who made it. 17For a [†]covenant is valid only when [†]men are dead, [†]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20saying, “THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD COMMANDED YOU.” 21And in the same way, both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled with the blood. 22And according to the [†]Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter holy places made with hands, mere copies of the true ones, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy places year by year with blood that is not his own. 26Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin [†]by the sacrifice of Himself. 27And inasmuch as it is [†]appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.