1 Now [a]even the first †covenant ¦ tabernacle ANT ST {Note: The word covenant does not appear in the main Greek text, but is supplied in the English translation. However, the word tabernacle does appear in the Greek text of ANT and ST.}covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first room were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second veil was a room called the Holy of Holies. 4 It had a golden censer and the ark of the covenant, which was overlaid on all sides with gold. In the ark were the golden jar containing the manna, the rod of Aaron that had budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

6 When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room of the tabernacle, performing their sacred duties. 7 But into the second room, the high priest alone entered only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the holy places had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink, and various [c]washings and regulations for the flesh, imposed until the time of reformation.

11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things [d]to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of [e]bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the [f]eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify [g]your consciences from dead works to serve the living God?

15 That is why 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 that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. 16 For in the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will takes effect only after the person's death; it is [h]never in force while the person who made it is alive. 18 That is why even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves [i]and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, according to the law nearly everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.

23 So it was necessary for the copies of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, but for the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true ones; he entered heaven itself, so that he might now appear before God on our behalf. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the holy places year after year with blood that is not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for men to die once and then face judgment, 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him.

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