²⁵ Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(A)

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

¹⁷ Then he adds:

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

⁴ So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law^(A) through the body of Christ,^(B) that you might belong to another,^(C) to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

¹⁴ For sin shall no longer be your master,^(A) because you are not under the law,^(B) but under grace.^(C)

³ Every high priest^(A) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,^(B) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.^{(C) 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.^{(D) 5} They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy^(E) and shadow^(F) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned^(G) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”^{[a](H) 6} But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant^(I) of which he is mediator^(J) 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.^{(K) 8} But God found fault with the people and said^[b]:

¹³ By calling this covenant “new,”^(T) he has made the first one obsolete;^(U) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

¹¹ If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people^(A) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,^(B) one in the order of Melchizedek,^(C) 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,^(D) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.^{(E) 14} For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,^(F) 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:

¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^{(H) 19} (for the law made nothing perfect),^(I) and a better hope^(J) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(K)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^{(B) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(C) God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law,^{(F) 5} to redeem^(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(H) to sonship.^{[b](I) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(J) into our hearts,^(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.”^(L)