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.

²² Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.^(A)

¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.^(A) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”^[a](B) meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years^(C) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;^(D) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions^(E) until the Seed^(F) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels^(G) and entrusted to a mediator.^{(H) 20} A mediator,^(I) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(J) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^(K)

²⁴ to Jesus the mediator^(A) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(B) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(C)

⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,^(A) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,^(B) having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.^(C)

² in the hope of eternal life,^(A) which God, who does not lie,^(B) promised before the beginning of time,^(C)

²⁰ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant^(A) in my blood, which is poured out for you.^[a]

⁷ For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.^{(A) 8} But God found fault with the people and said^[a]:

¹³ By calling this covenant “new,”^(J) he has made the first one obsolete;^(K) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

⁶ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant^(A)—not of the letter^(B) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.^(C)

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death,^(D) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,^(E) transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation^(F) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!^{(G) 10} For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!