The New Priestly Service

8 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, ^(A)who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ² a Minister of ^(B)the ^[a]sanctuary and of ^(C)the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

³ For ^(D)every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore ^(E)it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. ⁴ For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; ⁵ who serve ^(F)the copy and ^(G)shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ^(H)“See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Limitations of the Earthly Service

⁶ Now when these things had been thus prepared, ^(A)the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷ But into the second part the high priest went alone ^(B)once a year, not without blood, which he offered for ^(C)himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; ⁸ the Holy Spirit indicating this, that ^(D)the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. ⁹ It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered ^(E)which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— ¹⁰ concerned only with ^(F)foods and drinks, ^(G)various ^[a]washings, ^(H)and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

¹¹ But Christ came as High Priest of ^(I)the good things ^[b]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. ¹² Not ^(J)with the blood of goats and calves, but ^(K)with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place ^(L)once for all, ^(M)having obtained eternal redemption.

Hold Fast Your Confession

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, having ^(A)boldness^[a] to enter ^(B)the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and ^(C)living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us ^(D)draw near with a true heart ^(E)in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for ^(F)He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ^25 (G)not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and ^(H)so much the more as you see ^(I)the Day approaching.