10 This is the covenant(A) I will establish with the people of Israel
    after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
    and write them on their hearts.(B)
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.(C)
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,(D)
    from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.(E)[a](F)

13 By calling this covenant “new,”(G) he has made the first one obsolete;(H) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.(I) A tabernacle(J) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand(K) and the table(L) with its consecrated bread;(M) this was called the Holy Place.(N) Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,(O) which had the golden altar of incense(P) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.(Q) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,(R) Aaron’s staff that had budded,(S) and the stone tablets of the covenant.(T) Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,(U) overshadowing the atonement cover.(V) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly(W) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered(X) the inner room,(Y) and that only once a year,(Z) and never without blood,(AA) which he offered for himself(AB) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.(AC) The Holy Spirit was showing(AD) by this that the way(AE) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration(AF) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered(AG) were not able to clear the conscience(AH) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food(AI) and drink(AJ) and various ceremonial washings(AK)—external regulations(AL) applying until the time of the new order.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 8:12 Jer. 31:31-34

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.