²⁰ Then Noah built an altar to the Lord^(A) and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean^(B) birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings^(C) on it. ²¹ The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma^(D) and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground^(E) because of humans, even though^[a] every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.^(F) And never again will I destroy^(G) all living creatures,^(H) as I have done.

²¹ The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.^(A)

³ In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering^(A) to the Lord.^{(B) 4} And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions^(C) from some of the firstborn of his flock.^(D) The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,^{(E) 5} but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

²⁰ Then Noah built an altar to the Lord^(A) and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean^(B) birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings^(C) on it. ²¹ The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma^(D) and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground^(E) because of humans, even though^[a] every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.^(F) And never again will I destroy^(G) all living creatures,^(H) as I have done.

²⁸ This is my blood of the^[a] covenant,^(A) which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.^(B)

²² In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,^(A) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.^(B)

²³ It was necessary, then, for the copies^(C) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;^(D) he entered heaven itself,^(E) now to appear for us in God’s presence.^{(F) 25} Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place^(G) every year with blood that is not his own.^{(H) 26} Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.^(I) But he has appeared^(J) once for all^(K) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.^{(L) 27} Just as people are destined to die once,^(M) and after that to face judgment,^(N)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.