Add parallel Print Page Options

The Old Covenant

Now even the first covenant had (A)requirements of divine worship and (B)the earthly sanctuary. For there was (C)a tabernacle prepared: the first part, in which were (D)the lampstand and (E)the table and (F)the [a]sacred bread, which is called the holy place. And behind (G)the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the (H)Holy of Holies, having a golden [b](I)altar of incense and (J)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was (K)a golden jar holding the manna, and (L)Aaron’s rod which budded, and (M)the tablets of the covenant. And above it were the (N)cherubim of glory (O)overshadowing the [c]mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests (P)are continually entering the first part of the tabernacle performing the divine worship, but into (Q)the second, only (R)the high priest enters (S)once a year, (T)not without taking blood, which he (U)offers for himself and for the [d](V)sins of the people committed in ignorance. (W)The Holy Spirit is indicating this, (X)that the way into the holy places has not yet been manifested while that first part of the tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly (Y)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which (Z)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to (AA)food and (AB)drink and various (AC)washings, (AD)requirements for the [e]body imposed until (AE)a time of reformation.

The New Covenant

11 But when Christ appeared as a (AF)high priest of the (AG)good things [f]to come, He entered through (AH)the greater and more perfect tabernacle, (AI)not made with hands, that is to say, (AJ)not of this creation, 12 and not through (AK)the blood of goats and calves, but (AL)through His own blood, He (AM)entered the holy places (AN)once for all, [g]having obtained (AO)eternal redemption. 13 For if (AP)the blood of goats and bulls and (AQ)the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the [h]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will (AR)the blood of Christ, who through [i](AS)the eternal Spirit (AT)offered Himself without blemish to God, (AU)cleanse [j]your conscience from (AV)dead works to serve (AW)the living God?

15 And for this reason (AX)He is the (AY)mediator of a (AZ)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the trespasses that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been (BA)called may (BB)receive the promise of (BC)the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a [k]covenant is, there must of necessity [l]be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a [m]covenant is valid only when [n]men are dead, [o]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been (BD)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, (BE)he took the (BF)blood of the calves and the goats, with (BG)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both (BH)the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “(BI)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way, both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he (BJ)sprinkled with the blood. 22 And according to the [p]Law, one may (BK)almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and (BL)without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 Therefore it was necessary for the (BM)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but (BN)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ (BO)did not enter holy places made with hands, mere copies of (BP)the true ones, but into (BQ)heaven itself, now (BR)to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as (BS)the high priest enters (BT)the holy places (BU)year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since (BV)the foundation of the world; but now (BW)once at (BX)the consummation of the ages He has been (BY)manifested to put away sin [q](BZ)by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And inasmuch as (CA)it is [r]appointed for men to die once and after this (CB)comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been (CC)offered once to (CD)bear the sins of many, will appear (CE)a second time for (CF)salvation (CG)without reference to sin, to those who (CH)eagerly await Him.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:2 Lit loaves of presentation
  2. Hebrews 9:4 Or censer
  3. Hebrews 9:5 Or propitiatory seat, place of atonement
  4. Hebrews 9:7 Lit ignorance of the people
  5. Hebrews 9:10 Lit flesh
  6. Hebrews 9:11 Two early mss that have come
  7. Hebrews 9:12 Or obtaining
  8. Hebrews 9:13 Lit purity
  9. Hebrews 9:14 Or His eternal spirit
  10. Hebrews 9:14 One early ms our
  11. Hebrews 9:16 Or testament
  12. Hebrews 9:16 Lit be brought
  13. Hebrews 9:17 Or testament
  14. Hebrews 9:17 Lit over the dead
  15. Hebrews 9:17 Two early mss for is it then...lives?
  16. Hebrews 9:22 Or Law, almost all things
  17. Hebrews 9:26 Or by His sacrifice
  18. Hebrews 9:27 Lit laid up

Old Covenant Ministry

Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.(A) Behind the second curtain was a tent called the most holy place.(B) It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.(C) The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.(D)

With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry.(E) But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.(F) The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing.(G) This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.(H) 10 They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.(I)

New Covenant Ministry

11 But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come.[a] In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation(J)), 12 he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.(K) 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,(L) 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit(M) offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our[b] consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?(N)

15 Therefore, he is the mediator(O) of a new covenant,[c](P) so that those who are called might receive the promise(Q) of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.(R) 16 Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in effect while the one who made it is living. 18 That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. 19 For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats,[d] along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people,(S) 20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.[e](T) 21 In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood.(U) 22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(V)

23 Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these.(W) 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model[f] of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God for us.(X) 25 He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another.(Y) 26 Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages,(Z) for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself.(AA) 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment(AB) 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,(AC) will appear a second time,(AD) not to bear sin, but[g] to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.(AE)

Footnotes

  1. 9:11 Other mss read that are to come
  2. 9:14 Other mss read your
  3. 9:15 The Gk word used here can be translated covenant, will, or testament, also in vv. 16,17,18.
  4. 9:19 Some mss omit and goats
  5. 9:20 Ex 24:8
  6. 9:24 Or antitype, or figure
  7. 9:28 Lit time, apart from sin,