Hebrews 9
Revised Standard Version
The Earthly and the Heavenly Sanctuaries
9 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tent[a] was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence;[b] it is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain stood a tent[c] called the Holy of Holies, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent,[d] performing their ritual duties; 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary is not yet opened as long as the outer tent[e] is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various ablutions, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,[f] then through the greater and more perfect tent[g] (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking[h] not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your[i] conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.[j] 16 For where a will[k] is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will[l] takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18 Hence even the first covenant was not ratified without blood. 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent[m] and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Christ’s Sacrifice Takes Away Sin
23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, 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.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 9:2 Or tabernacle
- Hebrews 9:2 Greek the presentation of the loaves
- Hebrews 9:3 Or tabernacle
- Hebrews 9:6 Or tabernacle
- Hebrews 9:8 Or tabernacle
- Hebrews 9:11 Other manuscripts read good things to come
- Hebrews 9:11 Or tabernacle
- Hebrews 9:12 Greek through
- Hebrews 9:14 Other manuscripts read our
- Hebrews 9:15 The Greek word here used means both covenant and will
- Hebrews 9:16 The Greek word here used means both covenant and will
- Hebrews 9:17 The Greek word here used means both covenant and will
- Hebrews 9:21 Or tabernacle
Hebrews 9
American Standard Version
9 Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein [a]were the candlestick, and the table, and [b]the showbread; which is called the Holy place. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; 4 having a golden [c]altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [d]was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing [e]the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally. 6 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; 7 but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the [f]errors of the people: 8 the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; 9 which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect, 10 being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.
11 But Christ having come a high priest of [g]the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through [h]the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse [i]your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of a new [j]covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first [k]covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a [l]testament is, there must of necessity [m]be the death of him that made it. 17 For a [n]testament is of force [o]where there hath been death: [p]for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth. 18 Wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedicated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, [q]This is the blood of the [r]covenant which God commanded to you-ward. 21 Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. 22 And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.
23 It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us: 25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place year by year with blood not his own; 26 else must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once at the [s]end of the ages hath he been manifested to put away sin [t]by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And inasmuch as it is [u]appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment; 28 so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 9:2 Or, are
- Hebrews 9:2 Greek the setting forth of the loaves.
- Hebrews 9:4 Or, censer. 2 Chr. 26:19; Ezek. 8:11.
- Hebrews 9:4 Or, is
- Hebrews 9:5 Greek the propitiatory.
- Hebrews 9:7 Greek ignorances. Ecclus. 23:2f.
- Hebrews 9:11 Some ancient authorities read the good things that are come.
- Hebrews 9:14 Or, his eternal spirit
- Hebrews 9:14 Many ancient authorities read our.
- Hebrews 9:15 The Greek word here used signifies both covenant and testament.
- Hebrews 9:15 The Greek word here used signifies both covenant and testament.
- Hebrews 9:16 The Greek word here used signifies both covenant and testament.
- Hebrews 9:16 Greek be brought.
- Hebrews 9:17 The Greek word here used signifies both covenant and testament.
- Hebrews 9:17 Greek over the dead.
- Hebrews 9:17 Or, for doth it ever . . . liveth?
- Hebrews 9:20 Ex. 24:8.
- Hebrews 9:20 The Greek word here used signifies both covenant and testament.
- Hebrews 9:26 Or, consummation
- Hebrews 9:26 Or, by his sacrifice
- Hebrews 9:27 Greek laid up for. Col. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:8.
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