Christ’s Eternal Priesthood

1Now as a main point to the things being spoken, we have such a High Priest, Who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven, 2a Minister of the holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; wherefore, it is necessary that This One also have something which He may offer. 4If, therefore, He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts according to the law, 5who, indeed, serve in the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses has been divinely warned, when about to make the tabernacle; for "See," saith He, "that you make all things according to the pattern which was showed you in the mount";

The New Covenant

6but now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much also as He is Mediator of a better covenant, which, indeed, has been enacted on better promises.

7For, if that first covenant had been faultless, place would not be sought for a second;

8for, finding fault with them, He saith, "Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and the house of Judah;

9not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10Because this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Putting My laws into their mind, I will also write them upon their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people;

11and they shall in no wise teach each one his fellow-citizen, and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord'; because all shall know Me, from a small one to a great one of them;

12because I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and I will remember their sins no more."

13In that He saith, "A new covenant," He hath made the first old: but the thing that is becoming old, and is wearing out with age, is near vanishing away.