Hebrews 9
“Now even the first covenant had regulations
for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary.
2 For a tabernacle
was equipped, the outer sanctuary, in which were the
lampstand, the table, and the sacred bread; this is called the
Holy Place.
3 Behind the
second veil there was a [tabernacle
which is called the Most Holy Place,
4 having 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, Aaron’s staff which budded,
and the tablets of the covenant;
5 and
above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing
the atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when
these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering
the outer tabernacle, performing the divine worship,
7 but
into the second, only the high priest enters once a
year, not without taking blood which he offers for
himself and for the [i]sins of
the people committed in ignorance.
8 THE
HOLY SPIRIT is signifying this, that the way into the
holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still
standing,
9 which is a
symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are
offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,
10 since
they relate only to food, drink, and
various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a
time of reformation.
11 But when
CHRIST APPEARED AS A HIGH
PRIEST OF THE GOOD THINGS HAVING COME,
HE
ENTERED THROUGH THE GREATER AND MORE PERFECT TABERNACLE, NOT MADE BY HANDS,
that is, not of this creation;
12 and not through the
blood of goats and calves, but through HIS own blood,
HE ENTERED THE HOLY PLACE
ONCE FOR ALL TIME, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION.
13 For 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,
14 how 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?
15 For this
reason HE is THE
MEDIATOR OF A 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 called may receive THE PROMISE OF THE ETERNAL
INHERITANCE.
16 For
where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of
the one who made it.
17 For
a covenant is valid only when people are dead, 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 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,
20 saying, ‘This
is the blood of the covenant which GOD commanded you.’
21 And in
the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of
the ministry with the blood.
22 And almost
all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and without the
shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore
it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be
cleansed with these things, but the heavenly things themselves with better
sacrifices than these.
24 For CHRIST did
not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of the
true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of GOD
for us;
25 nor was
it that HE would offer HIMSELF often, as the high priest enters the
Holy Place year by year with blood that is not his own.
26 Otherwise,
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 REVEALED TO PUT AWAY
SIN BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF.
27 And just
as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment,
28 so 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. “
