A Heavenly Priesthood

8 Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,^{(A) 2} a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man.^{(B) 3} For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts^(C) and sacrifices; therefore, it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he wouldn’t be a priest, since there are those^[a] offering the gifts prescribed by the law. ⁵ These serve as a copy and shadow^(D) of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.^{[b](E) 6} But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator^(F) of a better covenant,^(G) which has been established on better promises.^(H)

A Superior Covenant

⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. ⁸ But finding fault with his people,^[c] he says:^[d]

¹³ By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.^(L)

⁴ The Lord of Armies says this: “Old men and women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of advanced age. ⁵ The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in them.” ⁶ The Lord of Armies says this: “Though it may seem impossible to the remnant of this people in those days, should it also seem impossible to me?”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. ⁷ The Lord of Armies says this: “I will save my people from the land of the east and the land of the west.^{[a] 8} I will bring them back^(A) to live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.”^(B)

The First Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ When^(A) the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again^[a] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”^{(B) 17} Then he took a cup,^(C) and after giving thanks,^(D) he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. ¹⁸ For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body,^(E) which is given for you. Do this in remembrance ^(F) of me.”

²⁰ In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant^(G) in my blood,^(H) which is poured out for you.^[b]

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you^(A) to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.^{[a] 2} Do not be conformed^(C) to this age,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,^(E) so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will^(F) of God.