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15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.[a](A) 16 Where a will[b] is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will[c] takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.(B) 19 For when every commandment had been told to all the people by Moses in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and goats,[d] with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people,(C) 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent[e] and all the vessels used in worship.(D) 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.(E)

Christ’s Sacrifice Takes Away Sin

23 Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.(F) 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the holy place year after year with blood that is not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.(G) 27 And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once and after that the judgment,(H) 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. 9.15 The Greek word used here means both covenant and will
  2. 9.16 The Greek word used here means both covenant and will
  3. 9.17 The Greek word used here means both covenant and will
  4. 9.19 Other ancient authorities lack and goats
  5. 9.21 Or tabernacle

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(A) of a new covenant,(B) that those who are called(C) may receive the promised(D) eternal inheritance(E)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(F)

16 In the case of a will,[a] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.(G) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(H) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(I) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(J) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[b](K) 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,(L) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(M)

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies(N) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;(O) he entered heaven itself,(P) now to appear for us in God’s presence.(Q) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place(R) every year with blood that is not his own.(S) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.(T) But he has appeared(U) once for all(V) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.(W) 27 Just as people are destined to die once,(X) and after that to face judgment,(Y) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(Z) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(AA) not to bear sin,(AB) but to bring salvation(AC) to those who are waiting for him.(AD)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
  2. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8