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Hebrews 5:1-10:18
New American Standard Bible

The Perfect High Priest

5 For every high priest (A)taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in (B)things pertaining to God, in order to (C)offer both gifts and sacrifices (D)for sins; 2 [a](E)he can deal gently with the (F)ignorant and (G)misguided, since he himself also is [b](H)clothed in weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices (I)for sins for himself, (J)as well as for the people. 4 And (K)no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just (L)as Aaron also was.

5 So too Christ (M)did not glorify Himself in becoming a (N)high priest, but it was He who (O)said to Him,

“(P)You are My Son,
Today I have fathered You”;

6 just as He also says in another passage,

“(Q)You are a priest forever
According to (R)the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of [c]His humanity, [d](S)He offered up both prayers and pleas with (T)loud crying and tears to the One (U)able to save Him [e]from death, and He [f]was heard because of His (V)devout behavior. 8 Although He was (W)a Son, He learned (X)obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been (Y)perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, 10 being designated by God as (Z)High Priest according to (AA)the order of Melchizedek.

11 Concerning [g]him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become [h]poor listeners. 12 For though [i]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you (AB)the [j](AC)elementary principles of the (AD)actual words of God, and you have come to need (AE)milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an (AF)infant. 14 But solid food is for (AG)the mature, who because of practice have their senses (AH)trained to (AI)distinguish between good and evil.

The Danger of Falling Away

6 Therefore (AJ)leaving (AK)the [k]elementary teaching about the [l]Christ, let us press on to [m](AL)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from (AM)dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of (AN)instruction about [n]washings and (AO)laying on of hands, and about the (AP)resurrection of the dead and (AQ)eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, (AR)if God permits. 4 For it is (AS)impossible, in the case of those who have once been (AT)enlightened and have tasted of (AU)the heavenly gift and have been made (AV)partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and (AW)have tasted the good (AX)word of God and the powers of (AY)the age to come, 6 and then have [o]fallen away, to (AZ)restore them again to repentance, [p](BA)since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often [q]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those (BB)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and [r](BC)close to being cursed, and [s]it ends up being burned.

Better Things for You

9 But, (BD)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that [t]accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. 10 For (BE)God is not unjust so as to forget (BF)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having (BG)served and by still serving the [u]saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence [v]so as to realize the (BH)full assurance of (BI)hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but (BJ)imitators of those who through (BK)faith and endurance (BL)inherit the promises.

13 For (BM)when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He (BN)swore by Himself, 14 saying, “(BO)indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply you.” 15 And so, (BP)having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. 16 (BQ)For people swear an oath by [w]one greater than themselves, and with them (BR)an oath serving as confirmation is an end of every dispute. 17 [x]In the same way God, desiring even more to demonstrate to (BS)the heirs of the promise [y](BT)the fact that His purpose is unchangeable, [z]confirmed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which (BU)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to hold firmly to (BV)the hope set before us. 19 [aa]This (BW)hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which (BX)enters [ab]within the veil, 20 (BY)where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a (BZ)high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

7 For this (CA)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the (CB)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, (CC)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (CD)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the (CE)patriarch, (CF)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of (CG)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment [ac]in the Law to collect [ad]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they [ae]are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one (CH)whose genealogy is not traced from them (CI)collected [af]a tenth from Abraham and [ag](CJ)blessed the one who (CK)had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, (CL)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his [ah]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

11 (CM)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (CN)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (CO)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For (CP)the one about whom (CQ)these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord [ai]was (CR)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of [aj](CS)physical requirement, but according to the power of (CT)an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,

“(CU)You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment (CV)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (CW)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better (CX)hope, through which we (CY)come near to God. 20 And to the extent that it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

“(CZ)The Lord has sworn
And (DA)will not change His mind,
‘You are a priest (DB)forever’”);

22 by the same extent Jesus also has become the [ak](DC)guarantee of (DD)a better covenant.

23 [al]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing; 24 [am]Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues (DE)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is also able to (DF)save [an]forever those who (DG)come to God through Him, since He always lives to (DH)make intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a (DI)high priest, (DJ)holy, (DK)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and (DL)exalted above the heavens; 27 who has no daily need, like those high priests, to (DM)offer up sacrifices, (DN)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this (DO)once for all time when He (DP)offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests (DQ)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints (DR)a Son, who has been (DS)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a (DT)high priest, who has taken His seat at (DU)the right hand of the throne of the (DV)Majesty in the heavens, 2 a (DW)minister [ao]in the sanctuary and [ap]in the (DX)true [aq]tabernacle, which the Lord (DY)set up, not man. 3 For every (DZ)high priest is appointed (EA)to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are [ar]those who (EB)offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve (EC)a copy and (ED)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses [as]was (EE)warned by God when he was about to erect the [at]tabernacle; for, “(EF)See,” He says, “that you make all things by the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the (EG)mediator of (EH)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

7 For (EI)if that first covenant had been free of fault, no [au]circumstances would have been sought for a second. 8 For in finding fault with [av]the people, He says,

“(EJ)Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,
[aw]When I will bring about (EK)a new covenant
With the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
9 (EL)Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers
On the day I took them by the hand
To bring them out of the land of Egypt;
For they did not continue in My covenant,
And I did not care about them, says the Lord.
10 (EM)For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, declares the Lord:
[ax]I will put My laws into their minds,
And write them (EN)on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
11 (EO)And they will not teach, each one his fellow citizen,
And each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For (EP)they will all know Me,
From [ay]the least to the greatest of them.
12 (EQ)For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings,
(ER)And their sins I will no longer remember.”

13 [az]When He said, “(ES)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. (ET)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is [ba]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had (EU)regulations for divine worship and (EV)the earthly sanctuary. 2 For (EW)a [bb]tabernacle was equipped, the [bc]outer sanctuary, in which were (EX)the lampstand, (EY)the table, and (EZ)the [bd]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind (FA)the second veil there was a [be]tabernacle which is called the (FB)Most Holy Place, 4 having a golden [bf](FC)altar of incense and (FD)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was (FE)a golden jar holding the manna, (FF)Aaron’s staff which budded, and (FG)the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the (FH)cherubim of glory (FI)overshadowing the [bg]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests (FJ)are continually entering the [bh]outer [bi]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, 7 but into (FK)the second, only (FL)the high priest enters (FM)once a year, (FN)not without taking blood which he (FO)offers for himself and for the [bj](FP)sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 (FQ)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, (FR)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the [bk]outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly (FS)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which (FT)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to (FU)food, (FV)drink, and various (FW)washings, (FX)regulations for the [bl]body imposed until (FY)a time of reformation.

11 But when Christ appeared as a (FZ)high priest of the (GA)good things [bm]having come, He entered through (GB)the greater and more perfect [bn]tabernacle, (GC)not made by hands, that is, (GD)not of this creation; 12 and not through (GE)the blood of goats and calves, but (GF)through His own blood, He (GG)entered the holy place (GH)once for all time, [bo]having obtained (GI)eternal redemption. 13 For if (GJ)the blood of goats and bulls, and (GK)the [bp]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the [bq]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will (GL)the blood of Christ, who through [br](GM)the eternal Spirit (GN)offered Himself without blemish to God, (GO)cleanse your conscience from (GP)dead works to serve (GQ)the living God?

15 For this reason (GR)He is the (GS)mediator of a (GT)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been (GU)called may (GV)receive the promise of (GW)the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a [bs]covenant, there must of necessity [bt]be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a [bu]covenant is valid only when people are dead, [bv]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been (GX)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, (GY)he took the (GZ)blood of the calves and the goats, with (HA)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both (HB)the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “(HC)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he (HD)sprinkled both the [bw]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And (HE)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and (HF)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 Therefore it was necessary for the (HG)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but (HH)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ (HI)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of (HJ)the true one, but into (HK)heaven itself, now (HL)to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as (HM)the high priest enters (HN)the Holy Place (HO)year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since (HP)the foundation of the world; but now (HQ)once at (HR)the consummation of the ages He has been (HS)revealed to put away sin [bx](HT)by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as (HU)it is destined for people to die once, and after this (HV)comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been (HW)offered once to (HX)bear the sins of many, will appear (HY)a second time for (HZ)salvation (IA)without reference to sin, to those who (IB)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only (IC)a shadow of (ID)the good things to come and not the [by]form of those things itself, [bz]can (IE)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, (IF)make those who approach perfect. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had (IG)consciousness of sins? 3 But (IH)in [ca]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is (II)impossible for the (IJ)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, (IK)when He comes into the world, He says,

“(IL)You have not desired sacrifice and offering,
But (IM)You have prepared a body for Me;
6 (IN)You have not taken pleasure in whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin.
7 (IO)Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come
(It is written of Me in (IP)the scroll of the book)
To do Your will, O God.’”

8 After saying above, “(IQ)Sacrifices and offerings and (IR)whole burnt offerings and offerings (IS)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He [cb]said, “(IT)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By [cc]this will, we have been (IU)sanctified through (IV)the offering of (IW)the body of Jesus Christ (IX)once for all time.

11 Every priest stands daily ministering and (IY)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which (IZ)can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice (JA)for [cd]sins (JB)for all time, (JC)sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward (JD)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has (JE)perfected (JF)for all time those who are [ce]sanctified. 15 And (JG)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

16 “(JH)This is the covenant which I will make with them
After those days, declares the Lord:
I will put My laws upon their hearts,
And write them on their mind,”

He then says,

17 “(JI)And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will no longer remember.”

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:2 Lit being able to
  2. Hebrews 5:2 I.e., weak by nature
  3. Hebrews 5:7 Lit His flesh
  4. Hebrews 5:7 Lit who having offered up
  5. Hebrews 5:7 Or out of
  6. Hebrews 5:7 Lit having been heard
  7. Hebrews 5:11 Lit whom; or which
  8. Hebrews 5:11 Lit sluggish in hearing
  9. Hebrews 5:12 Lit because of the time
  10. Hebrews 5:12 Lit elements of the beginning
  11. Hebrews 6:1 Lit word of the beginning
  12. Hebrews 6:1 I.e., Messiah
  13. Hebrews 6:1 Or perfection
  14. Hebrews 6:2 Or baptisms
  15. Hebrews 6:6 Or committed apostasy; i.e., renounced the faith
  16. Hebrews 6:6 Or while
  17. Hebrews 6:7 Lit comes
  18. Hebrews 6:8 Lit near to a curse
  19. Hebrews 6:8 Lit whose end is for burning
  20. Hebrews 6:9 Or belong to
  21. Hebrews 6:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  22. Hebrews 6:11 Lit to the full
  23. Hebrews 6:16 Or Him who is greater
  24. Hebrews 6:17 Lit In which
  25. Hebrews 6:17 Lit the unchangeableness of His
  26. Hebrews 6:17 Or mediated
  27. Hebrews 6:19 Lit Which hope we have
  28. Hebrews 6:19 Or inside
  29. Hebrews 7:5 Lit according to
  30. Hebrews 7:5 Or tithes
  31. Hebrews 7:5 Lit have come out of the loins of
  32. Hebrews 7:6 Or tithes
  33. Hebrews 7:6 Lit has blessed
  34. Hebrews 7:10 Lit father
  35. Hebrews 7:14 Lit has arisen from
  36. Hebrews 7:16 Lit fleshly commandment; i.e., to be a descendant of Levi
  37. Hebrews 7:22 Or guarantor
  38. Hebrews 7:23 Lit The greater number have become priests...
  39. Hebrews 7:24 Lit He
  40. Hebrews 7:25 Or completely
  41. Hebrews 8:2 Or of
  42. Hebrews 8:2 Or of
  43. Hebrews 8:2 Or sacred tent
  44. Hebrews 8:4 I.e., temple priests
  45. Hebrews 8:5 Lit has been
  46. Hebrews 8:5 Or sacred tent
  47. Hebrews 8:7 Lit place
  48. Hebrews 8:8 Lit them
  49. Hebrews 8:8 Lit And
  50. Hebrews 8:10 Lit Putting my laws into...
  51. Hebrews 8:11 Lit small to great of them
  52. Hebrews 8:13 Or In His saying
  53. Hebrews 8:13 Or near destruction
  54. Hebrews 9:2 Or sacred tent
  55. Hebrews 9:2 Lit first
  56. Hebrews 9:2 Lit loaves of presentation
  57. Hebrews 9:3 Or sacred tent
  58. Hebrews 9:4 Or censer
  59. Hebrews 9:5 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
  60. Hebrews 9:6 Lit first
  61. Hebrews 9:6 Or sacred tent
  62. Hebrews 9:7 Lit ignorance of the people
  63. Hebrews 9:8 Lit first
  64. Hebrews 9:10 Lit flesh
  65. Hebrews 9:11 One early ms to come
  66. Hebrews 9:11 Or sacred tent
  67. Hebrews 9:12 Or obtaining
  68. Hebrews 9:13 I.e., ashes mixed in water
  69. Hebrews 9:13 Lit purity
  70. Hebrews 9:14 Or His eternal spirit
  71. Hebrews 9:16 Or testament
  72. Hebrews 9:16 Lit be brought
  73. Hebrews 9:17 Or testament
  74. Hebrews 9:17 One early ms for is it then...lives?
  75. Hebrews 9:21 Or sacred tent
  76. Hebrews 9:26 Or by His sacrifice
  77. Hebrews 10:1 Lit image
  78. Hebrews 10:1 One early ms they can
  79. Hebrews 10:3 Lit them there is
  80. Hebrews 10:9 Lit has said
  81. Hebrews 10:10 Lit which
  82. Hebrews 10:12 Or sins, forever sat down
  83. Hebrews 10:14 Or being sanctified
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Hebrews 5:1-10:18
New International Version

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,(A) to offer gifts and sacrifices(B) for sins.(C) 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,(D) since he himself is subject to weakness.(E) 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.(F) 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.(G)

5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(H) of becoming a high priest.(I) But God said(J) to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”[a](K)

6 And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.(L)”[b](M)

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions(N) with fervent cries and tears(O) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard(P) because of his reverent submission.(Q) 8 Son(R) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered(S) 9 and, once made perfect,(T) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest(U) in the order of Melchizedek.(V)

Warning Against Falling Away(W)

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths(X) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(Y) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(Z) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(AA) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(AB)

6 Therefore let us move beyond(AC) the elementary teachings(AD) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[c](AE) and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites,[d](AF) the laying on of hands,(AG) the resurrection of the dead,(AH) and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting,(AI) we will do so.

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,(AJ) who have tasted the heavenly gift,(AK) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,(AL) 5 who have tasted the goodness(AM) of the word of God(AN) and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[e] away, to be brought back to repentance.(AO) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God(AP) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.(AQ) In the end it will be burned.

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends,(AR) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.(AS) 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope(AT) for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate(AU) those who through faith and patience(AV) inherit what has been promised.(AW)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,(AX) 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[f](AY) 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.(AZ)

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.(BA) 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging(BB) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,(BC) he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,(BD) we who have fled to take hold of the hope(BE) set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,(BF) 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.(BG) He has become a high priest(BH) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.(BI)

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem(BJ) and priest of God Most High.(BK) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,(BL) 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy,(BM) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,(BN) he remains a priest forever.

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch(BO) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!(BP) 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people(BQ)—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed(BR) him who had the promises.(BS) 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.(BT) 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people(BU) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,(BV) one in the order of Melchizedek,(BW) not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe,(BX) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.(BY) 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,(BZ) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”[g](CA)

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless(CB) 19 (for the law made nothing perfect),(CC) and a better hope(CD) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.(CE)

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:(CF)
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”[h](CG)

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.(CH)

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.(CI) 25 Therefore he is able to save(CJ) completely[i] those who come to God(CK) through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.(CL)

26 Such a high priest(CM) truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,(CN) exalted above the heavens.(CO) 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices(CP) day after day, first for his own sins,(CQ) and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all(CR) when he offered himself.(CS) 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness;(CT) but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,(CU) who has been made perfect(CV) forever.

The High Priest of a New Covenant

8 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest,(CW) who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,(CX) 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle(CY) set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

3 Every high priest(CZ) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,(DA) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.(DB) 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.(DC) 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy(DD) and shadow(DE) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned(DF) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[j](DG) 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant(DH) of which he is mediator(DI) is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.(DJ) 8 But God found fault with the people and said[k]:

“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
    when I will make a new covenant(DK)
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors(DL)
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
    and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant(DM) 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.(DN)
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.(DO)
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,(DP)
    from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.(DQ)”[l](DR)

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

Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.(DU) 2 A tabernacle(DV) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand(DW) and the table(DX) with its consecrated bread;(DY) this was called the Holy Place.(DZ) 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,(EA) 4 which had the golden altar of incense(EB) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.(EC) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,(ED) Aaron’s staff that had budded,(EE) and the stone tablets of the covenant.(EF) 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,(EG) overshadowing the atonement cover.(EH) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly(EI) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered(EJ) the inner room,(EK) and that only once a year,(EL) and never without blood,(EM) which he offered for himself(EN) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.(EO) 8 The Holy Spirit was showing(EP) by this that the way(EQ) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration(ER) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered(ES) were not able to clear the conscience(ET) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food(EU) and drink(EV) and various ceremonial washings(EW)—external regulations(EX) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ came as high priest(EY) of the good things that are now already here,[m](EZ) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle(FA) that is not made with human hands,(FB) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;(FC) but he entered the Most Holy Place(FD) once for all(FE) by his own blood,(FF) thus obtaining[n] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls(FG) and the ashes of a heifer(FH) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit(FI) offered himself(FJ) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences(FK) from acts that lead to death,[o](FL) so that we may serve the living God!(FM)

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(FN) of a new covenant,(FO) that those who are called(FP) may receive the promised(FQ) eternal inheritance(FR)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(FS)

16 In the case of a will,[p] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.(FT) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(FU) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(FV) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(FW) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[q](FX) 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,(FY) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(FZ)

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies(GA) 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;(GB) he entered heaven itself,(GC) now to appear for us in God’s presence.(GD) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place(GE) every year with blood that is not his own.(GF) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.(GG) But he has appeared(GH) once for all(GI) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.(GJ) 27 Just as people are destined to die once,(GK) and after that to face judgment,(GL) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(GM) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(GN) not to bear sin,(GO) but to bring salvation(GP) to those who are waiting for him.(GQ)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow(GR) of the good things(GS) that are coming—not the realities themselves.(GT) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect(GU) those who draw near to worship.(GV) 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.(GW) 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.(GX) 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats(GY) to take away sins.(GZ)

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world,(HA) he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for me;(HB)
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll(HC)—
    I have come to do your will, my God.’”[r](HD)

8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”(HE)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”(HF) He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy(HG) through the sacrifice of the body(HH) of Jesus Christ once for all.(HI)

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,(HJ) which can never take away sins.(HK) 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,(HL) he sat down at the right hand of God,(HM) 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.(HN) 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect(HO) forever those who are being made holy.(HP)

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies(HQ) to us about this. First he says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
    after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
    and I will write them on their minds.”[s](HR)

17 Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts
    I will remember no more.”[t](HS)

18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4
  3. Hebrews 6:1 Or from useless rituals
  4. Hebrews 6:2 Or about baptisms
  5. Hebrews 6:6 Or age, 6 if they fall
  6. Hebrews 6:14 Gen. 22:17
  7. Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4
  8. Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4
  9. Hebrews 7:25 Or forever
  10. Hebrews 8:5 Exodus 25:40
  11. Hebrews 8:8 Some manuscripts may be translated fault and said to the people.
  12. Hebrews 8:12 Jer. 31:31-34
  13. Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
  14. Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
  15. Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals
  16. Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
  17. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8
  18. Hebrews 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
  19. Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33
  20. Hebrews 10:17 Jer. 31:34
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