The Earthly Holy Place

9 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and ^(A)an earthly place of holiness. ² For ^(B)a tent^[a] was prepared, the first section, in which were ^(C)the lampstand and ^(D)the table and ^(E)the bread of the Presence.^[b] It is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(F)the second curtain was a second section^[c] called the Most Holy Place, ⁴ having the golden ^(G)altar of incense and ^(H)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(I)a golden urn holding the manna, and ^(J)Aaron's staff that budded, and ^(K)the tablets of the covenant. ⁵ Above it were ^(L)the cherubim of glory overshadowing ^(M)the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ These preparations having thus been made, ^(N)the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷ but into the second only ^(O)the high priest goes, and he but ^(P)once a year, and not without taking blood, ^(Q)which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸ By this the Holy Spirit indicates that ^(R)the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹ (which is symbolic for the present age).^[d] According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered ^(S)that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰ but deal only with ^(T)food and drink and ^(U)various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

^20 (A)Our fathers worshiped on ^(B)this mountain, but you say that ^(C)in Jerusalem is ^(D)the place where people ought to worship.” ²¹ Jesus said to her, ^(E)“Woman, believe me, ^(F)the hour is coming when ^(G)neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ^22 (H)You worship what you do not know; ^(I)we worship what we know, for ^(J)salvation is ^(K)from the Jews. ²³ But ^(L)the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father ^(M)in spirit and ^(N)truth, for the Father ^(O)is seeking such people to worship him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”