¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.^{(A) 17} For this reason he had to be made like them,^[a](B) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful^(C) and faithful high priest^(D) in service to God,^(E) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.^(F)

¹³ The blood of goats and bulls^(A) and the ashes of a heifer^(B) 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^(C) offered himself^(D) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(E) from acts that lead to death,^[a](F) so that we may serve the living God!^(G)

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