5 For every high priest chosen from among men ^(A)is appointed to act on behalf of men ^(B)in relation to God, ^(C)to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ^2 (D)He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself ^(E)is beset with weakness. ³ Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins ^(F)just as he does for those of the people.

²³ The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,

²⁷ He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, ^(A)first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this ^(B)once for all when he offered up himself.

³ For ^(A)every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus ^(B)it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. ⁵ They serve ^(C)a copy and ^(D)shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, ^(E)“See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

⁶ These preparations having thus been made, ^(A)the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷ but into the second only ^(B)the high priest goes, and he but ^(C)once a year, and not without taking blood, ^(D)which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸ By this the Holy Spirit indicates that ^(E)the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹ (which is symbolic for the present age).^[a] According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered ^(F)that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,

¹³ For if ^(A)the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with ^(B)the ashes of a heifer, sanctify^[a] for the purification of the flesh,

²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as ^(A)the high priest enters ^(B)the holy places every year with blood not his own,

Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

10 For since the law has but ^(A)a shadow ^(B)of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, ^(C)it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

³ But ^(A)in these sacrifices ^(B)there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For ^(C)it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.