Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to Hebrews 7-10
Close NASB

Hebrews 7-10
New American Standard Bible

Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

7 For this (A)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the (B)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, (C)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (D)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the (E)patriarch, (F)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of (G)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment [a]in the Law to collect [b]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they [c]are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one (H)whose genealogy is not traced from them (I)collected [d]a tenth from Abraham and [e](J)blessed the one who (K)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, (L)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 [f]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

11 (M)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (N)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (O)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 (P)the one about whom (Q)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 [g]was (R)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 [h](S)physical requirement, but according to the power of (T)an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,

“(U)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 (V)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (W)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better (X)hope, through which we (Y)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,

“(Z)The Lord has sworn
And (AA)will not change His mind,
‘You are a priest (AB)forever’”);

22 by the same extent Jesus also has become the [i](AC)guarantee of (AD)a better covenant.

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

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a (AI)high priest, (AJ)holy, (AK)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and (AL)exalted above the heavens; 27 who has no daily need, like those high priests, to (AM)offer up sacrifices, (AN)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this (AO)once for all time when He (AP)offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests (AQ)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints (AR)a Son, who has been (AS)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a (AT)high priest, who has taken His seat at (AU)the right hand of the throne of the (AV)Majesty in the heavens, 2 a (AW)minister [m]in the sanctuary and [n]in the (AX)true [o]tabernacle, which the Lord (AY)set up, not man. 3 For every (AZ)high priest is appointed (BA)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 [p]those who (BB)offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve (BC)a copy and (BD)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses [q]was (BE)warned by God when he was about to erect the [r]tabernacle; for, “(BF)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 (BG)mediator of (BH)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

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

“(BJ)Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,
[u]When I will bring about (BK)a new covenant
With the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
9 (BL)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 (BM)For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, declares the Lord:
[v]I will put My laws into their minds,
And write them (BN)on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
11 (BO)And they will not teach, each one his fellow citizen,
And each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For (BP)they will all know Me,
From [w]the least to the greatest of them.
12 (BQ)For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings,
(BR)And their sins I will no longer remember.”

13 [x]When He said, “(BS)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. (BT)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is [y]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had (BU)regulations for divine worship and (BV)the earthly sanctuary. 2 For (BW)a [z]tabernacle was equipped, the [aa]outer sanctuary, in which were (BX)the lampstand, (BY)the table, and (BZ)the [ab]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind (CA)the second veil there was a [ac]tabernacle which is called the (CB)Most Holy Place, 4 having a golden [ad](CC)altar of incense and (CD)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was (CE)a golden jar holding the manna, (CF)Aaron’s staff which budded, and (CG)the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the (CH)cherubim of glory (CI)overshadowing the [ae]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests (CJ)are continually entering the [af]outer [ag]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, 7 but into (CK)the second, only (CL)the high priest enters (CM)once a year, (CN)not without taking blood which he (CO)offers for himself and for the [ah](CP)sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 (CQ)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, (CR)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the [ai]outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly (CS)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which (CT)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to (CU)food, (CV)drink, and various (CW)washings, (CX)regulations for the [aj]body imposed until (CY)a time of reformation.

11 But when Christ appeared as a (CZ)high priest of the (DA)good things [ak]having come, He entered through (DB)the greater and more perfect [al]tabernacle, (DC)not made by hands, that is, (DD)not of this creation; 12 and not through (DE)the blood of goats and calves, but (DF)through His own blood, He (DG)entered the holy place (DH)once for all time, [am]having obtained (DI)eternal redemption. 13 For if (DJ)the blood of goats and bulls, and (DK)the [an]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the [ao]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will (DL)the blood of Christ, who through [ap](DM)the eternal Spirit (DN)offered Himself without blemish to God, (DO)cleanse your conscience from (DP)dead works to serve (DQ)the living God?

15 For this reason (DR)He is the (DS)mediator of a (DT)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 (DU)called may (DV)receive the promise of (DW)the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a [aq]covenant, there must of necessity [ar]be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a [as]covenant is valid only when people are dead, [at]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 (DX)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, (DY)he took the (DZ)blood of the calves and the goats, with (EA)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both (EB)the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “(EC)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he (ED)sprinkled both the [au]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And (EE)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and (EF)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 Therefore it was necessary for the (EG)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but (EH)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ (EI)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of (EJ)the true one, but into (EK)heaven itself, now (EL)to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as (EM)the high priest enters (EN)the Holy Place (EO)year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since (EP)the foundation of the world; but now (EQ)once at (ER)the consummation of the ages He has been (ES)revealed to put away sin [av](ET)by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as (EU)it is destined for people to die once, and after this (EV)comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been (EW)offered once to (EX)bear the sins of many, will appear (EY)a second time for (EZ)salvation (FA)without reference to sin, to those who (FB)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only (FC)a shadow of (FD)the good things to come and not the [aw]form of those things itself, [ax]can (FE)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, (FF)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 (FG)consciousness of sins? 3 But (FH)in [ay]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is (FI)impossible for the (FJ)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, (FK)when He comes into the world, He says,

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

8 After saying above, “(FQ)Sacrifices and offerings and (FR)whole burnt offerings and offerings (FS)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He [az]said, “(FT)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By [ba]this will, we have been (FU)sanctified through (FV)the offering of (FW)the body of Jesus Christ (FX)once for all time.

11 Every priest stands daily ministering and (FY)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which (FZ)can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice (GA)for [bb]sins (GB)for all time, (GC)sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward (GD)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has (GE)perfected (GF)for all time those who are [bc]sanctified. 15 And (GG)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

16 “(GH)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 “(GI)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.

A New and Living Way

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we (GJ)have confidence to (GK)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by (GL)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through (GM)the veil, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have (GN)a great priest (GO)over the house of God, 22 let’s (GP)approach God with a [bd]sincere heart in (GQ)full assurance of faith, having our hearts (GR)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies (GS)washed with pure water. 23 Let’s hold firmly to the (GT)confession of our (GU)hope without wavering, for (GV)He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how (GW)to [be]encourage one another in love and (GX)good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own (GY)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but (GZ)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see (HA)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

26 For if we go on (HB)sinning willfully after receiving (HC)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of (HD)judgment and (HE)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 (HF)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 (HG)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve (HH)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean (HI)the blood of the covenant (HJ)by which he was sanctified, and has (HK)insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “(HL)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “(HM)The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a (HN)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the (HO)living God.

32 But remember (HP)the former days, [bf]when, after being (HQ)enlightened, you endured a great (HR)conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being (HS)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming [bg](HT)companions with those who were so treated. 34 For you (HU)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted (HV)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves (HW)a better and lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your (HX)confidence, which has a great (HY)reward. 36 For you have need of (HZ)endurance, so that when you have (IA)done the will of God, you may (IB)receive [bh]what was promised.

37 (IC)For yet in a very little while,
(ID)He who is coming will come, and will not delay.
38 (IE)But My righteous one will live by faith;
And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.

39 But [bi]we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:5 Lit according to
  2. Hebrews 7:5 Or tithes
  3. Hebrews 7:5 Lit have come out of the loins of
  4. Hebrews 7:6 Or tithes
  5. Hebrews 7:6 Lit has blessed
  6. Hebrews 7:10 Lit father
  7. Hebrews 7:14 Lit has arisen from
  8. Hebrews 7:16 Lit fleshly commandment; i.e., to be a descendant of Levi
  9. Hebrews 7:22 Or guarantor
  10. Hebrews 7:23 Lit The greater number have become priests...
  11. Hebrews 7:24 Lit He
  12. Hebrews 7:25 Or completely
  13. Hebrews 8:2 Or of
  14. Hebrews 8:2 Or of
  15. Hebrews 8:2 Or sacred tent
  16. Hebrews 8:4 I.e., temple priests
  17. Hebrews 8:5 Lit has been
  18. Hebrews 8:5 Or sacred tent
  19. Hebrews 8:7 Lit place
  20. Hebrews 8:8 Lit them
  21. Hebrews 8:8 Lit And
  22. Hebrews 8:10 Lit Putting my laws into...
  23. Hebrews 8:11 Lit small to great of them
  24. Hebrews 8:13 Or In His saying
  25. Hebrews 8:13 Or near destruction
  26. Hebrews 9:2 Or sacred tent
  27. Hebrews 9:2 Lit first
  28. Hebrews 9:2 Lit loaves of presentation
  29. Hebrews 9:3 Or sacred tent
  30. Hebrews 9:4 Or censer
  31. Hebrews 9:5 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
  32. Hebrews 9:6 Lit first
  33. Hebrews 9:6 Or sacred tent
  34. Hebrews 9:7 Lit ignorance of the people
  35. Hebrews 9:8 Lit first
  36. Hebrews 9:10 Lit flesh
  37. Hebrews 9:11 One early ms to come
  38. Hebrews 9:11 Or sacred tent
  39. Hebrews 9:12 Or obtaining
  40. Hebrews 9:13 I.e., ashes mixed in water
  41. Hebrews 9:13 Lit purity
  42. Hebrews 9:14 Or His eternal spirit
  43. Hebrews 9:16 Or testament
  44. Hebrews 9:16 Lit be brought
  45. Hebrews 9:17 Or testament
  46. Hebrews 9:17 One early ms for is it then...lives?
  47. Hebrews 9:21 Or sacred tent
  48. Hebrews 9:26 Or by His sacrifice
  49. Hebrews 10:1 Lit image
  50. Hebrews 10:1 One early ms they can
  51. Hebrews 10:3 Lit them there is
  52. Hebrews 10:9 Lit has said
  53. Hebrews 10:10 Lit which
  54. Hebrews 10:12 Or sins, forever sat down
  55. Hebrews 10:14 Or being sanctified
  56. Hebrews 10:22 Lit true
  57. Hebrews 10:24 Or stir up
  58. Hebrews 10:32 Lit in which
  59. Hebrews 10:33 Or partners
  60. Hebrews 10:36 Lit the promise
  61. Hebrews 10:39 Lit we are not of shrinking back...but of faith
Listen to Hebrews 7-10
Close NIV

Hebrews 7-10
New International Version

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem(A) and priest of God Most High.(B) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,(C) 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,(D) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,(E) he remains a priest forever.

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch(F) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!(G) 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people(H)—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(I) him who had the promises.(J) 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.(K) 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(L) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,(M) one in the order of Melchizedek,(N) 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,(O) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.(P) 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,(Q) 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.”[a](R)

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

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:(W)
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”[b](X)

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

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.(Z) 25 Therefore he is able to save(AA) completely[c] those who come to God(AB) through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.(AC)

26 Such a high priest(AD) truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,(AE) exalted above the heavens.(AF) 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices(AG) day after day, first for his own sins,(AH) and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all(AI) when he offered himself.(AJ) 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness;(AK) but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,(AL) who has been made perfect(AM) 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,(AN) who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,(AO) 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle(AP) set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

3 Every high priest(AQ) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,(AR) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.(AS) 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.(AT) 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy(AU) and shadow(AV) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned(AW) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[d](AX) 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant(AY) of which he is mediator(AZ) 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.(BA) 8 But God found fault with the people and said[e]:

“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
    when I will make a new covenant(BB)
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors(BC)
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(BD) 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.(BE)
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.(BF)
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,(BG)
    from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.(BH)”[f](BI)

13 By calling this covenant “new,”(BJ) he has made the first one obsolete;(BK) 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.(BL) 2 A tabernacle(BM) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand(BN) and the table(BO) with its consecrated bread;(BP) this was called the Holy Place.(BQ) 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,(BR) 4 which had the golden altar of incense(BS) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.(BT) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,(BU) Aaron’s staff that had budded,(BV) and the stone tablets of the covenant.(BW) 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,(BX) overshadowing the atonement cover.(BY) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly(BZ) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered(CA) the inner room,(CB) and that only once a year,(CC) and never without blood,(CD) which he offered for himself(CE) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.(CF) 8 The Holy Spirit was showing(CG) by this that the way(CH) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration(CI) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered(CJ) were not able to clear the conscience(CK) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food(CL) and drink(CM) and various ceremonial washings(CN)—external regulations(CO) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ came as high priest(CP) of the good things that are now already here,[g](CQ) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle(CR) that is not made with human hands,(CS) 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;(CT) but he entered the Most Holy Place(CU) once for all(CV) by his own blood,(CW) thus obtaining[h] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls(CX) and the ashes of a heifer(CY) 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(CZ) offered himself(DA) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences(DB) from acts that lead to death,[i](DC) so that we may serve the living God!(DD)

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(DE) of a new covenant,(DF) that those who are called(DG) may receive the promised(DH) eternal inheritance(DI)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(DJ)

16 In the case of a will,[j] 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.(DK) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(DL) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(DM) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(DN) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[k](DO) 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,(DP) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(DQ)

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies(DR) 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;(DS) he entered heaven itself,(DT) now to appear for us in God’s presence.(DU) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place(DV) every year with blood that is not his own.(DW) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.(DX) But he has appeared(DY) once for all(DZ) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.(EA) 27 Just as people are destined to die once,(EB) and after that to face judgment,(EC) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(ED) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(EE) not to bear sin,(EF) but to bring salvation(EG) to those who are waiting for him.(EH)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow(EI) of the good things(EJ) that are coming—not the realities themselves.(EK) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect(EL) those who draw near to worship.(EM) 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.(EN) 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.(EO) 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats(EP) to take away sins.(EQ)

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

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for me;(ES)
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(ET)—
    I have come to do your will, my God.’”[l](EU)

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

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

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies(FH) 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.”[m](FI)

17 Then he adds:

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

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

A Call to Persevere in Faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence(FK) to enter the Most Holy Place(FL) by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way(FM) opened for us through the curtain,(FN) that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest(FO) over the house of God,(FP) 22 let us draw near to God(FQ) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,(FR) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience(FS) and having our bodies washed with pure water.(FT) 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope(FU) we profess,(FV) for he who promised is faithful.(FW) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,(FX) 25 not giving up meeting together,(FY) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another(FZ)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(GA)

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning(GB) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,(GC) no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire(GD) that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.(GE) 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God(GF) underfoot,(GG) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant(GH) that sanctified them,(GI) and who has insulted the Spirit(GJ) of grace?(GK) 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[o](GL) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[p](GM) 31 It is a dreadful thing(GN) to fall into the hands(GO) of the living God.(GP)

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,(GQ) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.(GR) 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;(GS) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.(GT) 34 You suffered along with those in prison(GU) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.(GV) 35 So do not throw away your confidence;(GW) it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere(GX) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.(GY) 37 For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming(GZ) will come
    and will not delay.”[q](HA)

38 And,

“But my righteous[r] one will live by faith.(HB)
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”[s](HC)

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4
  2. Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4
  3. Hebrews 7:25 Or forever
  4. Hebrews 8:5 Exodus 25:40
  5. Hebrews 8:8 Some manuscripts may be translated fault and said to the people.
  6. Hebrews 8:12 Jer. 31:31-34
  7. Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
  8. Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
  9. Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals
  10. Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
  11. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8
  12. Hebrews 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
  13. Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33
  14. Hebrews 10:17 Jer. 31:34
  15. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:35
  16. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14
  17. Hebrews 10:37 Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3
  18. Hebrews 10:38 Some early manuscripts But the righteous
  19. Hebrews 10:38 Hab. 2:4 (see Septuagint)
Next
Hebrews 6
Hebrews 11
Next
dropdown
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible is made available by The Lockman Foundation
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV