[1] Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly
sanctuary. [2] For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the
lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the
Holy Place. [3] Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of
Holies, [4] having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant
covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the
manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; [5]
above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these
things we cannot now speak in detail. [6] These preparations having thus
been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their
ritual duties; [7] but into the second only the high priest goes, and he
but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself
and for the errors of the people. [8] By this the Holy Spirit indicates
that the way into the sanctuary is not yet opened as long as the outer tent
is still standing [9] (which is symbolic for the present age). According to
this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the
conscience of the worshiper, [10] but deal only with food and drink and
various ablutions, regulations for the body imposed until the time of
reformation. [11] But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good
things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not
made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12] he entered once for
all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his
own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13] For if the sprinkling
of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of
a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, [14] how much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the
living God. [15] Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a
death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the
first covenant. [16] For where a will is involved, the death of the one who
made it must be established. [17] For a will takes effect only at death,
since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. [18]
Hence even the first covenant was not ratified without blood. [19] For when
every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people,
he took the blood of calves and 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 with the blood both the tent and all the vessels
used in worship. [22] Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified
with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of
sins. [23] Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to
be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with
better sacrifices than these. [24] For Christ has entered, not into a
sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. [25] Nor was it to
offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly
with blood not his own; [26] for then he would have had to suffer
repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared
once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of
himself. [27] And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after
that comes judgment, [28] so Christ, having been offered once to bear the
sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save
those who are eagerly waiting for him.
