² and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle^(A) set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

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. ²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;^(B) he entered heaven itself,^(C) now to appear for us in God’s presence.^(D)

Awaiting the New Body

5 For we know that if the earthly^(A) tent^(B) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews^[a](A) on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises^(B) made to the patriarchs might be confirmed

The Tent of Meeting

⁷ Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.”^(A) Anyone inquiring^(B) of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.

¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city^(A) with foundations,^(B) whose architect and builder is God.^(C)

²¹ and since we have a great priest^(A) over the house of God,^(B)

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.

¹¹ In him you were also circumcised^(A) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[a](B) was put off when you were circumcised by^[b] Christ,