¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into ^(A)the inner place behind the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus has gone ^(B)as a forerunner on our behalf, ^(C)having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

²² This makes Jesus the guarantor of ^(A)a better covenant.

²³ The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, ²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues ^(B)forever. ²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost^{[a] (C)}those who draw near to God ^(D)through him, since he always lives ^(E)to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, ^(F)holy, innocent, unstained, ^(G)separated from sinners, and ^(H)exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, ^(I)first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this ^(J)once for all when he offered up himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints men ^(K)in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made ^(L)perfect forever.

The New Covenant

^31 (A)“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make ^(B)a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, ³² not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when ^(C)I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, ^(D)though I was their husband, declares the Lord. ^33 (E)For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: ^(F)I will put my law within them, and I will write it ^(G)on their hearts. ^(H)And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴ And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ ^(I)for they shall all know me, ^(J)from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For ^(K)I will forgive their iniquity, and ^(L)I will remember their sin no more.”

¹⁷ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ^(A)I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, ^(B)and I will give you the land of Israel.’ ¹⁸ And when they come there, ^(C)they will remove from it all its ^(D)detestable things and all its abominations. ^19 (E)And I will give them one heart, and ^(F)a new spirit I will put within them. ^(G)I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh ^(H)and give them a heart of flesh, ^20 (I)that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. ^(J)And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. ^21 (K)But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, ^(L)I will^[a] bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.”