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[Soothly] And the former testament had justifyings of worship, and holy thing during for a time [and holy thing worldly, that is, during for a time].

For the tabernacle was made first, in which were candlesticks, and [a] board, and setting forth of loaves [and putting forth of loaves], which is said holy.

And after the veil, the second tabernacle, that is said sanctum sanctorum, that is, holy of holy things;

having a golden censer, and the ark of the testament, covered about on each side with gold, in which was a pot of gold having manna, and the rod of Aaron that flowered [and the rod of Aaron that flourished], and the tables of the testament;

on which things were cherubims of glory, overshadowing the propitiatory [upon which things were cherubims of glory, shadowing the propitiatory, or mercyable place]; of which things it is not now to say by all.

But when these were made thus together, priests entered evermore in the former tabernacle, doing the offices of sacrifices [ending the offices of sacraments];

but in the second tabernacle, the bishop [alone] entered once in the year, not without blood, which he offered for his ignorance and the people's.

For the Holy Ghost signified this thing [The Holy Ghost signifying this thing], that not yet the way of saints was opened, while the former tabernacle had state.

Which parable is of this present time, by which also gifts and sacrifices be offered, which be not able to make [which may not make] a man serving perfect by conscience,

10 only in meats, and drinks, and diverse washings, and rightwisenesses of flesh, that were set to the time of correction [put unto the time of correction].

11 But Christ being a bishop of goods to coming, entered by a larger and perfecter tabernacle [Forsooth Christ being a bishop of goods to come, by a larger and perfecter tabernacle], not made by hand, that is to say, not of this making,

12 neither by blood of goat bucks, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the holy things, that were found by an everlasting redemption. [neither by blood of goat bucks, or calves, but by his own blood, entered once into holy things, when everlasting redemption was found.]

13 For if the blood of goat bucks, and of bulls, and the ashes of a cow calf sprinkled, halloweth unclean men to the cleansing of flesh,

14 how much more the blood of Christ, which by the Holy Ghost offered himself unwemmed to God, shall cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve God that liveth [for to serve to living God]?

15 And therefore he is a mediator of the new testament, that by death falling betwixt [that death falling between], into redemption of the trespassings that were under the former testament, they that be called take the promise of everlasting heritage.

16 For where a testament is, it is need, that the death of the testament maker come betwixt [come between].

17 For a testament is confirmed in dead men; else it is not worth [else it is (of) no worth], while he liveth, that made the testament.

18 Wherefore neither the first testament was hallowed without blood.

19 For when each commandment of the law was read of Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves, and of bucks of goats, with water, and red wool, and hyssop, and besprinkled [sprinkled] both that book and all the people,

20 and said [saying], This is the blood of the testament, that God commanded to you.

21 Also he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the service in like manner [and all the vessels of ministry, or service, in like manner].

22 And almost all things be cleansed in blood by the law; and without shedding of blood remission of sins is not made.

23 Therefore it is need, that the exemplars [that the samplers] of heavenly things be cleansed with these things; but those heavenly things with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Jesus entered not into holy things made by hands, that be [the] exemplars of very things, but into heaven itself, that he appear now to the face of God for us;[a]

25 neither [nor] that he offer himself oft, as the bishop entered into holy things by all years in alien blood,

26 else it behooved him to suffer oft [else it behooved him oft to suffer] from the beginning of the world; but now once in the ending of the worlds, to the destruction of sin by his sacrifice he appeared.

27 And as it is ordained to men, once to die, but after this is the doom,

28 so Christ was offered once, to void the sins of many men [for to void, or do away, the sins of many men]; the second time he shall appear without sin to men that abide him into health.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:24 Forsooth Jesus entered not into holy things made by hands, the which be samplers of very things, but into heavens itself, that he appear now to the cheer, or face, of God for us;

The value and significance of the old testament, and how far the new excels it.

That first tabernacle indeed had observances, and the serving of God, and temporal holiness. For a foretabernacle was made, where the candlestick and the table and the showbread were, which is called holy. But within the second veil there was a tabernacle that is called holiest of all. It had the golden censer, and the ark of the testament overlaid round about with gold, in which was the golden pot with manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the testament. Over the ark were the cherubims of glory covering the seat of grace – of which things we will not now speak particularly.

When these things had been set up accordingly, the priests went constantly into the first tabernacle and executed the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone, once every year – and not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the ignorance of the people. By this the Holy Spirit was signifying that the way of holy things was not yet opened, while as yet the first tabernacle was standing. That tabernacle was a similitude for the time then present, and in which gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not make the offerer perfect as pertaining to the conscience, 10 with only foods and drinks, and various washings and observances of the flesh, which were prescribed until the time of reformation.

11 But Christ, being a high priest of good things to come, came by a greater and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands; that is to say, not of this creation. 12 Neither was it by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered once and for all into the holy place, and found eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of oxen and of goats and the ashes of a heifer when sprinkled purified the unclean insofar as the purifying of the flesh is concerned, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works in order to serve the living God?

15 And therefore he is the mediator of the new testament, so that through death, which effected the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, those who are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a testament, there must also be the death of him who makes the testament, 17 because a testament takes authority when men are dead. It is of no effect as long as he who made it is alive.

18 For which reason also, neither was that first testament ordained without blood. 19 For when all the commandments were read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water and purple wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people, 20 saying: This is the blood of the testament that God has appointed unto you. 21 Moreover, he sprinkled the tabernacle with blood also, and all the ministering vessels. 22 And also almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.

23 It is needful then that the similitudes of heavenly things be purified with such things, but the heavenly things themselves are purified with better sacrifices than are those. 24 For Christ has not entered into the holy places that are made with hands, which are but similitudes of true things, but has entered into very heaven, to appear now in the sight of God for us – 25 not to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with strange blood. 26 For then he must have repeatedly suffered since the world began. But now, in the end of the world, he has appeared once and for all to put sin to flight by the offering up of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and then comes the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to take away the sins of many, and to those who look for him, he will appear again without sin for salvation.

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.