⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us^(A) would they be made perfect.^(B)

¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe,^(A) and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,^[a] were killed just as they had been.^(B)

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,^(A) which can never take away sins.^{(B) 12} But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,^(C) he sat down at the right hand of God,^{(D) 13} and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.^{(E) 14} For by one sacrifice he has made perfect^(F) forever those who are being made holy.^(G)

⁶ But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant^(A) of which he is mediator^(B) is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect),^(A) and a better hope^(B) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(C)

²³ It was necessary, then, for the copies^(A) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[a](A) through the shedding of his blood^(B)—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished^(C)— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

⁸ The Holy Spirit was showing^(A) by this that the way^(B) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration^(C) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered^(D) were not able to clear the conscience^(E) of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(F) and drink^(G) and various ceremonial washings^(H)—external regulations^(I) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

¹¹ But when Christ came as high priest^(J) of the good things that are now already here,^[a](K) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle^(L) that is not made with human hands,^(M) 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;^(N) but he entered the Most Holy Place^(O) once for all^(P) by his own blood,^(Q) thus obtaining^[b] eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls^(R) and the ashes of a heifer^(S) 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^(T) offered himself^(U) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(V) from acts that lead to death,^[c](W) so that we may serve the living God!^(X)

¹⁵ For this reason Christ is the mediator^(Y) of a new covenant,^(Z) that those who are called^(AA) may receive the promised^(AB) eternal inheritance^(AC)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.^(AD)

⁹ and, once made perfect,^(A) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him