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,^(A) who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,^{(B) 2} and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle^(C) set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

³ Every high priest^(D) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,^(E) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.^{(F) 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.^{(G) 5} They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy^(H) and shadow^(I) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned^(J) 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](K) 6} But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant^(L) of which he is mediator^(M) 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.^{(N) 8} But God found fault with the people and said^[b]:

¹³ By calling this covenant “new,”^(W) he has made the first one obsolete;^(X) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.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.^{(Y) 2} A tabernacle^(Z) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand^(AA) and the table^(AB) with its consecrated bread;^(AC) this was called the Holy Place.^{(AD) 3} Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,^{(AE) 4} which had the golden altar of incense^(AF) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.^(AG) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,^(AH) Aaron’s staff that had budded,^(AI) and the stone tablets of the covenant.^{(AJ) 5} Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,^(AK) overshadowing the atonement cover.^(AL) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

⁶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly^(AM) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered^(AN) the inner room,^(AO) and that only once a year,^(AP) and never without blood,^(AQ) which he offered for himself^(AR) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.^{(AS) 8} The Holy Spirit was showing^(AT) by this that the way^(AU) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration^(AV) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered^(AW) were not able to clear the conscience^(AX) of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(AY) and drink^(AZ) and various ceremonial washings^(BA)—external regulations^(BB) applying until the time of the new order.