God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke^(A) to our ancestors through the prophets^(B) at many times and in various ways,^{(C) 2} but in these last days^(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,^(E) whom he appointed heir^(F) of all things, and through whom^(G) also he made the universe.^{(H) 3} The Son is the radiance of God’s glory^(I) and the exact representation of his being,^(J) sustaining all things^(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,^(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.^(M)

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest^(A) who has ascended into heaven,^[a](B) Jesus the Son of God,^(C) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.^{(D) 15} For we do not have a high priest^(E) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are^(F)—yet he did not sin.^(G)

¹⁴ For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,^(A) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ¹⁵ And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is declared:

¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless^{(C) 19} (for the law made nothing perfect),^(D) and a better hope^(E) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.^(F)

²⁰ And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, ²¹ but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

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

²³ Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴ but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.^{(J) 25} Therefore he is able to save^(K) completely^[c] those who come to God^(L) through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.^(M)

²⁶ Such a high priest^(N) truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,^(O) exalted above the heavens.^{(P) 27} Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices^(Q) day after day, first for his own sins,^(R) and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all^(S) when he offered himself.^{(T) 28} For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness;^(U) but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,^(V) who has been made perfect^(W) forever.

¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;^(A) but he entered the Most Holy Place^(B) once for all^(C) by his own blood,^(D) thus obtaining^[a] eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls^(E) and the ashes of a heifer^(F) 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^(G) offered himself^(H) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(I) from acts that lead to death,^[b](J) so that we may serve the living God!^(K)

¹⁵ For this reason Christ is the mediator^(L) of a new covenant,^(M) that those who are called^(N) may receive the promised^(O) eternal inheritance^(P)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.^(Q)

²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;^(A) he entered heaven itself,^(B) now to appear for us in God’s presence.^{(C) 25} Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place^(D) every year with blood that is not his own.^{(E) 26} Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.^(F) But he has appeared^(G) once for all^(H) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.^{(I) 27} Just as people are destined to die once,^(J) and after that to face judgment,^{(K) 28} so Christ was sacrificed once^(L) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,^(M) not to bear sin,^(N) but to bring salvation^(O) to those who are waiting for him.^(P)

² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(A) the pioneer^(B) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(C) scorning its shame,^(D) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^(E)

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(A)