| 1 Now even a first covenant had ordinances of divine service,
and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world. 2 For there was a
tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the
table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. 3 And after the
second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; 4 having a
golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about
with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's
rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it cherubim
of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak
severally. 6 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in
continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; 7 but
into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood,
which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 the
Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet
been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; 9 which
is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both
gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the
worshipper perfect, 10 being only (with meats and drinks and
divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.
11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come,
through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is
to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and
calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy
place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats
and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled,
sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: 14 how much more shall the blood
of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish
unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death
having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under
the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the
eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must of necessity
be the death of him that made it. 17 For a testament is of force where
there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth.
18 Wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedicated
without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto
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 to you-ward. 21 Moreover the tabernacle and all the
vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. 22 And
according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood,
and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission. 23 It was
necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be
cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better
sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ entered not into a holy place made
with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to
appear before the face of God for us: 25 nor yet that he should offer
himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place year by year
with blood not his own; 26 else must he often have suffered since the
foundation of the world: but now once at the end of the ages hath he been
manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And inasmuch as
it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;
28 so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many,
shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto
salvation.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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