⁶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly^(A) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered^(B) the inner room,^(C) and that only once a year,^(D) and never without blood,^(E) which he offered for himself^(F) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.^{(G) 8} The Holy Spirit was showing^(H) by this that the way^(I) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration^(J) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered^(K) were not able to clear the conscience^(L) of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(M) and drink^(N) and various ceremonial washings^(O)—external regulations^(P) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

¹¹ But when Christ came as high priest^(Q) of the good things that are now already here,^[a](R) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle^(S) that is not made with human hands,^(T) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. ¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;^(U) but he entered the Most Holy Place^(V) once for all^(W) by his own blood,^(X) thus obtaining^[b] eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls^(Y) and the ashes of a heifer^(Z) 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^(AA) offered himself^(AB) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(AC) from acts that lead to death,^[c](AD) so that we may serve the living God!^(AE)

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)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow^(A) of the good things^(B) that are coming—not the realities themselves.^(C) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect^(D) those who draw near to worship.^{(E) 2} Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.^{(F) 3} But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.^(G)

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,^(A) which can never take away sins.^{(B) 12} But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,^(C) he sat down at the right hand of God,^{(D) 13} and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.^(E)