The Earthly Sanctuary
9 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Limitations of the Earthly Service
6 Now
when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into
the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the
Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was
not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was
symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are
offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in
regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not
with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered
the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For
if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling
the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how
much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God? 15 And
for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of
death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first
covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the
eternal inheritance.
The Mediator’s Death Necessary
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For
when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the
law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, 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 has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
23 Therefore it was
necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be
purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better
sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He
then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world;
but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by
the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so
Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly
wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for
salvation.
