旧约的事奉

这样,第一个约[a]也包括了事奉礼的规定和地上的圣所, 因为有预备好的会幕:第一间里有灯台、桌子和陈设饼,这叫做圣所; 会幕第二层幔子后面,叫做至圣所, 里面有金香坛和四周包金的约柜;柜里有盛着吗哪的金罐、亚伦那根发过芽的杖和两块约版; 约柜上方有荣耀的基路伯,遮蔽着施恩座[b]。关于这些,现在就不一一细说了。

既然这些东西都这样预备好了,祭司们就常常进入第一间会幕行事奉礼。 至于第二间会幕,只有大祭司一年进去一次,没有不带着血的;这血是为自己和子民无意中犯的罪所献上的。 圣灵指明这一点:只要第一间会幕还存在,进入至圣所的道路就还没有显明出来。 这会幕是现今时代的一个象征,在这里所献上的礼物和祭物,并不能使事奉者的良心得以完全, 10 因为这些只是关于饮食和各种洗净礼,是属肉体的规定,一直实施到更新的时候为止。

新约的事奉

11 不过基督已经来到,做了那些已经发生的[c]美善之事的大祭司,经过了那更大、更完美的会幕。那会幕不是人手所造的;就是说,不属于这被造的世界。 12 他也没有藉着山羊和牛犊的血,而是藉着他自己的血,一次性地进入圣所,成就了永恒的救赎。 13 实际上,如果山羊和公牛的血,以及母牛犊的灰,洒在那些污秽的人身上,能使他们分别为圣、肉身洁净, 14 更何况基督的血呢!基督藉着永恒的圣灵[d],将自己毫无瑕疵地献给神,他的血难道不能洁净我们[e]的良心脱离致死的行为,使我们事奉永生的神吗?

15 为此,基督做了新约的中保,藉着死赎清了人在第一个约之下的过犯,好使那些蒙召的人可以得到所应许的永恒继业。 16 要知道,遗嘱[f]在哪里生效[g],立遗嘱之人的死亡就必须得到证实。 17 事实上,人死了,遗嘱[h]才能确立,因为立遗嘱之人活着的时候,遗嘱绝对不能生效。 18 原来不用血,第一个约也不能成立, 19 就是说,摩西按照律法向全体民众宣讲了所有的诫命之后,拿了牛犊和山羊[i]的血,掺上水,用深红色的羊毛和牛膝草,洒在那书卷上和全体民众身上, 20 说:“这是立约的血,是神吩咐给你们的。”[j] 21 然后,他又同样地把血洒在会幕和服事用的所有器皿上。 22 按照律法,几乎一切都是用血洁净的;没有流血,就没有赦免。

23 既然那些诸天之上事物的模型,必须用这些祭物[k]来洁净,那天上事物的本体就必须用比这些更好的祭物来洁净, 24 因为基督不是进入了人手所造的圣所——那不过是真圣所的象征——而是进入了上天本身,如今替我们显现在神的面前。 25 他也不用再三地将自己献上,像大祭司年年带着牛羊的[l]血进入圣所那样, 26 否则,从创世以来,他就必须再三地受难了。但如今,他在万世的末期显现了一次,好藉着献上自己为祭,把罪除掉。 27 就如人人注定都有一死,而且死后有审判, 28 照样,基督为了担当众人的罪孽,也被献上一次;将来还要再一次显现,不是为了罪,而是为了使那些热切等待他的人得到救恩。

Footnotes

  1. 希伯来书 9:1 约——辅助词语。
  2. 希伯来书 9:5 施恩座——或译作“赎罪盖”或“赎罪台”。
  3. 希伯来书 9:11 已经发生的——有古抄本作“将要来临的”。
  4. 希伯来书 9:14 永恒的圣灵——原文直译“永恒的灵”。
  5. 希伯来书 9:14 我们——有古抄本作“你们”。
  6. 希伯来书 9:16 遗嘱——或译作“约”。
  7. 希伯来书 9:16 生效——辅助词语。
  8. 希伯来书 9:17 遗嘱——或译作“约”。
  9. 希伯来书 9:19 有古抄本没有“和山羊”。
  10. 希伯来书 9:20 《出埃及记》24:8。
  11. 希伯来书 9:23 祭物——辅助词语。
  12. 希伯来书 9:25 牛羊的——原文直译“非自己的”。

旧约敬拜的规例

前约也有它敬拜的规例,和属世界的圣所。 因为有一个支搭好了的会幕,第一进叫作圣所,里面有灯台、桌子和陈设饼。 在第二层幔子后面还有一个会幕,叫作至圣所, 里面有金香坛,有全部包金的约柜,柜里有盛着吗哪的金罐、亚伦那发过芽的杖和两块约板。 柜的上面有荣耀的基路伯罩着施恩座,关于这一切,现在不能一一细说了。

这一切物件都这样预备好了,祭司就常常进入第一进会幕,执行敬拜的事。 至于第二进会幕,只有大祭司一年一次独自进去,并且非带着血不可,好为自己和人民的愚妄把血献上。 圣灵借着这事表明,当第一进会幕存在的时候,进入至圣所的路,还没有显明出来。 这第一进会幕是现今的时代的预表,其实所献的礼物和祭品,都不能使敬拜的人在良心上得到完全。 10 这些只是关于饮食和各样洁净的礼仪,是在“更新的时候”来到之前,为肉体立的规例。

基督的血洁净我们

11 但基督已经来了,作了已经实现的美好事物的大祭司;他经过更大、更完备的会幕(不是人手所做的,也就是不属于这被造的世界的)。 12 他不是用山羊和牛犊的血,而是用自己的血,只一次进了至圣所,就得到了永远的救赎。 13 如果山羊和公牛的血,以及母牛犊的灰,洒在不洁的人身上,尚且可以使他们成为圣洁,身体洁净, 14 何况基督的血呢?他借着永远的灵,把自己无瑕无疵的献给 神,他的血不是更能洁净我们的良心脱离致死的行为,使我们可以事奉永活的 神吗?

15 因此,他作了新约的中保,借着他的死,使人在前约之下的过犯得到救赎,就叫那些蒙召的人,得着永远基业的应许。 16 凡有遗嘱(“遗嘱”或译:“约”,与17 节同),必须证实立遗嘱的人死了; 17 因为人死了,遗嘱才能确立,立遗嘱的人还活着的时候,遗嘱决不生效。 18 因此,前约并不是没有用血立的: 19 当日摩西按照律法,向所有人民宣布了各样的诫命,就拿牛犊(好些抄本在此有“和山羊”)的血和水,用朱红色的羊毛与牛膝草,洒在律法书上和人民身上, 20 说:“这就是 神规定你们立约的血。” 21 他照样把血洒在会幕和各样应用的器皿上。 22 按着律法,几乎所有都是用血洁净的,如果没有流血,就没有赦免。

基督一次献上自己就除掉罪

23 照着天上样式作的既然必须这样去洁净,天上物体的本身,就应该用更美的祭品去洁净了。 24 因为基督不是进了人手所做的圣所(那不过是真圣所的表象),而是进到天上,现在替我们显露在 神的面前。 25 他不必多次把自己献上,好象大祭司每年带着不是自己的血进入至圣所一样。 26 如果这样,他从创世以来,就必须受许多次的苦了。可是现在他在这世代的终结,只显现一次,把自己作为祭品献上,好除掉罪。 27 按着定命,人人都要死一次,死后还有审判。 28 照样,基督为了担当许多人的罪,也曾经一次把自己献上;将来他还要再一次显现,不是为担当罪,而是要向那些热切期待他的人成全救恩。

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.

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

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

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

The Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ came as high priest(AE) of the good things that are now already here,[a](AF) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle(AG) that is not made with human hands,(AH) 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;(AI) but he entered the Most Holy Place(AJ) once for all(AK) by his own blood,(AL) thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls(AM) and the ashes of a heifer(AN) 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(AO) offered himself(AP) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences(AQ) from acts that lead to death,[c](AR) so that we may serve the living God!(AS)

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(AT) of a new covenant,(AU) that those who are called(AV) may receive the promised(AW) eternal inheritance(AX)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(AY)

16 In the case of a will,[d] 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.(AZ) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(BA) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(BB) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(BC) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[e](BD) 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,(BE) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(BF)

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies(BG) 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;(BH) he entered heaven itself,(BI) now to appear for us in God’s presence.(BJ) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place(BK) every year with blood that is not his own.(BL) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.(BM) But he has appeared(BN) once for all(BO) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.(BP) 27 Just as people are destined to die once,(BQ) and after that to face judgment,(BR) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(BS) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(BT) not to bear sin,(BU) but to bring salvation(BV) to those who are waiting for him.(BW)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
  2. Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
  3. Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals
  4. Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
  5. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8