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10 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart 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 profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

The Perfect Sacrifice

10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things(A) to come, and not the actual form of those realities, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, once purified, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, as He was coming into the world, He said:

You did not want sacrifice and offering,
but You prepared a body for Me.
You did not delight
in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.
Then I said, “See—
it is written about Me
in the volume of the scroll—
I have come to do Your will, God!”(B)[a]

After He says above, You did not want or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law(C)), He then says, See, I have come to do Your will.[b] He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this will of God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.(D)

11 Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins.(E) 12 But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.(F) 13 He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.(G) 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after He says:

16 This is the covenant I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put My laws on their hearts
and write them on their minds,

17 He adds:

I will never again remember
their sins and their lawless acts.(H)[c]

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Exhortations to Godliness

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus,(I) 20 by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh(J)), 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,(K) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.(L) 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.(M) 24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25 not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other,(N) and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Warning against Deliberate Sin

26 For if we deliberately sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,(O) 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.(P) 28 If anyone disregards Moses’ law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.(Q) 29 How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane[d] the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace?(R) 30 For we know the One who has said, Vengeance belongs to Me, I will repay,[e][f] and again, The Lord will judge His people.(S)[g] 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!(T)

32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.(U) 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way.(V) 34 For you sympathized with the prisoners[h] and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.[i](W) 35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.(X) 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.(Y)

37 For yet in a very little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 But My righteous one[j] will live by faith;
and if he draws back,
I have no pleasure in him.(Z)[k]

39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:7 Ps 40:6-8
  2. Hebrews 10:9 Other mss add God
  3. Hebrews 10:17 Jr 31:33-34
  4. Hebrews 10:29 Or ordinary
  5. Hebrews 10:30 Other mss add says the Lord
  6. Hebrews 10:30 Dt 32:35
  7. Hebrews 10:30 Dt 32:36
  8. Hebrews 10:34 Other mss read sympathized with my imprisonment
  9. Hebrews 10:34 Other mss add in heaven
  10. Hebrews 10:38 Other mss read the righteous one
  11. Hebrews 10:38 Is 26:20 LXX; Hab 2:3-4

10 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, [a]can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith,

[b]Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not,
But a body didst thou prepare for me;
In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure:
Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me)
To do thy will, O God.

Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law), then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 [c]By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every [d]priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: 12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for [e]sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also beareth witness to us; for after he hath said,

16 [f]This is the covenant that [g]I will make with them
After those days, saith the Lord:
I will put my laws on their heart,
And upon their mind also will I write them;

then saith he,

17 And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having a great priest over the house of God; 22 let us draw near with a true heart in [h]fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil [i]conscience: and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised: 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a [j]fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. 28 A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified [k]an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that said, [l]Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, [m]The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; 33 partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. 34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that [n]ye have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of [o]patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.

37 [p]For yet a very little while,
He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry.
38 But [q]my righteous one shall live by faith:
And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not [r]of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the [s]saving of the soul.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:1 Many ancient authorities read they can.
  2. Hebrews 10:5 Ps. 40:6ff.
  3. Hebrews 10:10 Or, In
  4. Hebrews 10:11 Some ancient authorities read high priest.
  5. Hebrews 10:12 Or, sins, for ever sat down etc.
  6. Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33f.
  7. Hebrews 10:16 Greek I will covenant.
  8. Hebrews 10:22 Or, full assurance
  9. Hebrews 10:22 Or, conscience, and our body washed with pure water: let us hold fast
  10. Hebrews 10:27 Or, jealousy
  11. Hebrews 10:29 Greek a common thing.
  12. Hebrews 10:30 Dt. 32:35.
  13. Hebrews 10:30 Dt. 32:36.
  14. Hebrews 10:34 Many ancient authorities read ye have your own selves for a better possession etc. Compare Lk. 9:25; 21:19.
  15. Hebrews 10:36 Or, stedfastness
  16. Hebrews 10:37 Hab. 2:3f.
  17. Hebrews 10:38 Some ancient authorities read the righteous one.
  18. Hebrews 10:39 Greek of shrinking back . . . but of faith.
  19. Hebrews 10:39 Or, gaining

10 For the law having a shadow of the coming good things -- not the very image of the matters, every year, by the same sacrifices that they offer continually, is never able to make perfect those coming near,

since, would they not have ceased to be offered, because of those serving having no more conscience of sins, having once been purified?

but in those [sacrifices] is a remembrance of sins every year,

for it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, `Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not will, and a body Thou didst prepare for me,

in burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offerings, Thou didst not delight,

then I said, Lo, I come, (in a volume of the book it hath been written concerning me,) to do, O God, Thy will;'

saying above -- `Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offering Thou didst not will, nor delight in,' -- which according to the law are offered --

then he said, `Lo, I come to do, O God, Thy will;' he doth take away the first that the second he may establish;

10 in the which will we are having been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once,

11 and every priest, indeed, hath stood daily serving, and the same sacrifices many times offering, that are never able to take away sins.

12 And He, for sin one sacrifice having offered -- to the end, did sit down on the right hand of God, --

13 as to the rest, expecting till He may place his enemies [as] his footstool,

14 for by one offering he hath perfected to the end those sanctified;

15 and testify to us also doth the Holy Spirit, for after that He hath said before,

16 `This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, giving My laws on their hearts, and upon their minds I will write them,'

17 and `their sins and their lawlessness I will remember no more;'

18 and where forgiveness of these [is], there is no more offering for sin.

19 Having, therefore, brethren, boldness for the entrance into the holy places, in the blood of Jesus,

20 which way he did initiate for us -- new and living, through the vail, that is, his flesh --

21 and a high priest over the house of God,

22 may we draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having the hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having the body bathed with pure water;

23 may we hold fast the unwavering profession of the hope, (for faithful [is] He who did promise),

24 and may we consider one another to provoke to love and to good works,

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain [is], but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day coming nigh.

26 For we -- willfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth -- no more for sins doth there remain a sacrifice,

27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery zeal, about to devour the opposers;

28 any one who did set at nought a law of Moses, apart from mercies, by two or three witnesses, doth die,

29 of how much sorer punishment shall he be counted worthy who the Son of God did trample on, and the blood of the covenant did count a common thing, in which he was sanctified, and to the Spirit of the grace did despite?

30 for we have known Him who is saying, `Vengeance [is] Mine, I will recompense, saith the Lord;' and again, `The Lord shall judge His people;' --

31 fearful [is] the falling into the hands of a living God.

32 And call to your remembrance the former days, in which, having been enlightened, ye did endure much conflict of sufferings,

33 partly both with reproaches and tribulations being made spectacles, and partly having become partners of those so living,

34 for also with my bonds ye sympathised, and the robbery of your goods with joy ye did receive, knowing that ye have in yourselves a better substance in the heavens, and an enduring one.

35 Ye may not cast away, then, your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward,

36 for of patience ye have need, that the will of God having done, ye may receive the promise,

37 for yet a very very little, He who is coming will come, and will not tarry;

38 and `the righteous by faith shall live,' and `if he may draw back, My soul hath no pleasure in him,'

39 and we are not of those drawing back to destruction, but of those believing to a preserving of soul.

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshipers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

Consequently, when Christ[a] came into the world, he said,

“Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired,
but a body hast thou prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,’
as it is written of me in the roll of the book.”

When he said above, “Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Lo, I have come to do thy will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ[b] had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”

17 then he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more.”

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

A Call to Persevere

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.

37 “For yet a little while,
and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry;
38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:5 Greek he
  2. Hebrews 10:12 Greek this one