The Perfect Sacrifice

10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things^(A) to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. ² Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? ³ But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. ⁴ For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

⁵ Therefore, as he was coming into the world, he said:

⁸ After he says above, You did not desire or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law^(C)), ⁹ he then says, See, I have come to do your will.^[b] He takes away the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.^(D)

¹¹ Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins.^{(E) 12} But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.^{[c](F) 13} He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool.^{(G) 14} For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after he says:

the Lord says,

¹⁷ and I will never again remember

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Exhortations to Godliness

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus^(I)— ²⁰ he has inaugurated^[e] for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh^(J))— ²¹ and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,^{(K) 22} let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.^{(L) 23} Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.^{(M) 24} And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other,^(N) and all the more as you see the day approaching.

The Day of the Lord

5 About the times and the seasons:^(A) Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord^(B) will come just like a thief^(C) in the night. ³ When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction^(D) will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.^{(E) 5} For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.^{(F) 6} So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled^(G) and put on the armor^(H) of faith and love, and a helmet^(I) of the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord^(J) Jesus Christ,^{(K) 10} who died for us,^(L) so that whether we are awake or asleep,^(M) we may live together with him.^{(N) 11} Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Exhortations and Blessings

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition^(O) to those who labor among you and lead you^[a] in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace^(P) among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we exhort you, brothers and sisters:^(Q) warn those who are idle,^[b] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient^(R) with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil for evil^(S) to anyone,^(T) but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.^{(U) 16} Rejoice^(V) always, ¹⁷ pray constantly, ¹⁸ give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will^(W) for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Don’t stifle the Spirit. ²⁰ Don’t despise prophecies, ²¹ but test all things.^(X) Hold on to what is good. ²² Stay away^(Y) from every kind of evil.

²³ Now may the God of peace^(Z) himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit,^(AA) soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming^(AB) of our Lord^(AC) Jesus Christ.^{(AD) 24} He who calls^(AE) you^(AF) is faithful; he will do it.

Judah’s Marital Unfaithfulness

¹⁰ Don’t all of us have one Father?^(A) Didn’t one God create us?^(B) Why then do we act treacherously against one another,^(C) profaning^(D) the covenant of our ancestors?^(E)