⁷ But if the ^(A)ministry of death, ^(B)in letters having been engraved on stones, came ^[a]with glory, ^(C)so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was being brought to an end, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit not be even more in glory? ⁹ For if ^(D)the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ^(E)ministry of righteousness abound in glory. ¹⁰ For indeed what had been glorious, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. ¹¹ For if that which was being brought to an end was ^[b]with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

^12 (F)Therefore having such a hope, ^(G)we use great boldness, ¹³ and are not like Moses, ^(H)who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the consequence of what was being brought to an end.

Contrast of Sinai and Zion

^18 (A)For you have not come to ^(B)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(C)blast of a trumpet and the ^(D)sound of words which was such that those who heard ^(E)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not bear what was being commanded, “^(F)If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was what appeared, that Moses said, “^(G)I am full of fear and trembling.” ²² But ^(H)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(I)the city of ^(J)the living God, ^(K)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(L)myriads of ^[a]angels, ²³ to the festal gathering and ^(M)assembly of the firstborn who ^(N)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(O)the Judge of all, and to the ^(P)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(Q)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(R)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(S)the blood of Abel.

An Unshakable Kingdom

^25 (T)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(U)speaking. For ^(V)if those did not escape when they ^(W)refused him who ^(X)warned them on earth, ^[b]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(Y)warns from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(Z)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(AA)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ Now this expression, “Yet once more,” indicates ^(AB)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a ^(AC)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us ^[c]show gratitude, by which we may ^(AD)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(AE)our God is a consuming fire.