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?

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The Earthly Sanctuary(A)

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and (B)the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the [a]sanctuary; (C)and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the (D)golden censer and (E)the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were (F)the golden pot that had the manna, (G)Aaron’s rod that budded, and (H)the tablets of the covenant; and (I)above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Limitations of the Earthly Service

Now when these things had been thus prepared, (J)the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone (K)once a year, not without blood, which he offered for (L)himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that (M)the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered (N)which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with (O)foods and drinks, (P)various [b]washings, (Q)and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

11 But Christ came as High Priest of (R)the good things [c]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not (S)with the blood of goats and calves, but (T)with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place (U)once for all, (V)having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if (W)the blood of bulls and goats and (X)the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, [d]sanctifies for the [e]purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without [f]spot to God, (Y)cleanse your conscience from (Z)dead works (AA)to serve the living God?

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:2 holy place, lit. holies
  2. Hebrews 9:10 Lit. baptisms
  3. Hebrews 9:11 NU that have come
  4. Hebrews 9:13 sets apart
  5. Hebrews 9:13 cleansing
  6. Hebrews 9:14 blemish

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:

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24 For (A)Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are [a]copies of (B)the true, but into heaven itself, now (C)to appear in the presence of God for us;

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:24 representations