Hebrews 8-11

New American Standard Bible

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a ^(A)high priest, who has taken His seat at ^(B)the right hand of the throne of the ^(C)Majesty in the heavens, ² a ^(D)minister ^[a]in the sanctuary and ^[b]in the ^(E)true ^[c]tabernacle, which the Lord ^(F)set up, not man. ³ For every ^(G)high priest is appointed ^(H)to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. ⁴ Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are ^[d]those who ^(I)offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve ^(J)a copy and ^(K)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses ^[e]was ^(L)warned by God when he was about to erect the ^[f]tabernacle; for, “^(M)See,” He says, “that you make all things by the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.” ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the ^(N)mediator of ^(O)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

⁷ For ^(P)if that first covenant had been free of fault, no ^[g]circumstances would have been sought for a second. ⁸ For in finding fault with ^[h]the people, He says,

^13 [l]When He said, “^(Z)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. ^(AA)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ^[m]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had ^(AB)regulations for divine worship and ^(AC)the earthly sanctuary. ² For ^(AD)a ^[n]tabernacle was equipped, the ^[o]outer sanctuary, in which were ^(AE)the lampstand, ^(AF)the table, and ^(AG)the ^[p]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(AH)the second veil there was a ^[q]tabernacle which is called the ^(AI)Most Holy Place, ⁴ having a golden ^[r](AJ)altar of incense and ^(AK)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(AL)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(AM)Aaron’s staff which budded, and ^(AN)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the ^(AO)cherubim of glory ^(AP)overshadowing the ^[s]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(AQ)are continually entering the ^[t]outer ^[u]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into ^(AR)the second, only ^(AS)the high priest enters ^(AT)once a year, ^(AU)not without taking blood which he ^(AV)offers for himself and for the ^[v](AW)sins of the people committed in ignorance. ^8 (AX)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(AY)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^[w]outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(AZ)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(BA)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to ^(BB)food, ^(BC)drink, and various ^(BD)washings, ^(BE)regulations for the ^[x]body imposed until ^(BF)a time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a ^(BG)high priest of the ^(BH)good things ^[y]having come, He entered through ^(BI)the greater and more perfect ^[z]tabernacle, ^(BJ)not made by hands, that is, ^(BK)not of this creation; ¹² and not through ^(BL)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(BM)through His own blood, He ^(BN)entered the holy place ^(BO)once for all time, ^[aa]having obtained ^(BP)eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(BQ)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(BR)the ^[ab]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^[ac]cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(BS)the blood of Christ, who through ^[ad](BT)the eternal Spirit ^(BU)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(BV)cleanse your conscience from ^(BW)dead works to serve ^(BX)the living God?

¹⁵ For this reason ^(BY)He is the ^(BZ)mediator of a ^(CA)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ^(CB)called may ^(CC)receive the promise of ^(CD)the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a ^[ae]covenant, there must of necessity ^[af]be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a ^[ag]covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^[ah]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. ¹⁸ Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment had been ^(CE)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(CF)he took the ^(CG)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(CH)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(CI)the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “^(CJ)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” ²¹ And in the same way he ^(CK)sprinkled both the ^[ai]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And ^(CL)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(CM)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the ^(CN)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(CO)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ ^(CP)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(CQ)the true one, but into ^(CR)heaven itself, now ^(CS)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(CT)the high priest enters ^(CU)the Holy Place ^(CV)year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(CW)the foundation of the world; but now ^(CX)once at ^(CY)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(CZ)revealed to put away sin ^[aj](DA)by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And just as ^(DB)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(DC)comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been ^(DD)offered once to ^(DE)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(DF)a second time for ^(DG)salvation ^(DH)without reference to sin, to those who ^(DI)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(DJ)a shadow of ^(DK)the good things to come and not the ^[ak]form of those things itself, ^[al]can ^(DL)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(DM)make those who approach perfect. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had ^(DN)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(DO)in ^[am]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is ^(DP)impossible for the ^(DQ)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(DR)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(DX)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(DY)whole burnt offerings and offerings ^(DZ)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[an]said, “^(EA)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[ao]this will, we have been ^(EB)sanctified through ^(EC)the offering of ^(ED)the body of Jesus Christ ^(EE)once for all time.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(EF)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(EG)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(EH)for ^[ap]sins ^(EI)for all time, ^(EJ)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(EK)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(EL)perfected ^(EM)for all time those who are ^[aq]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(EN)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

He then says,

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

A New and Living Way

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we ^(EQ)have confidence to ^(ER)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(ES)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(ET)the veil, that is, through His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(EU)a great priest ^(EV)over the house of God, ²² let’s ^(EW)approach God with a ^[ar]sincere heart in ^(EX)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(EY)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(EZ)washed with pure water. ²³ Let’s hold firmly to the ^(FA)confession of our ^(FB)hope without wavering, for ^(FC)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let’s consider how ^(FD)to ^[as]encourage one another in love and ^(FE)good deeds, ²⁵ not abandoning our own ^(FF)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(FG)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(FH)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(FI)sinning willfully after receiving ^(FJ)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(FK)judgment and ^(FL)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (FM)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (FN)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(FO)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(FP)the blood of the covenant ^(FQ)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(FR)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(FS)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(FT)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(FU)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(FV)living God.

³² But remember ^(FW)the former days, ^[at]when, after being ^(FX)enlightened, you endured a great ^(FY)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(FZ)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^[au](GA)companions with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(GB)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(GC)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(GD)a better and lasting possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(GE)confidence, which has a great ^(GF)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(GG)endurance, so that when you have ^(GH)done the will of God, you may ^(GI)receive ^[av]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[aw]we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the ^(GM)certainty of things ^[ax](GN)hoped for, a ^[ay]proof of ^(GO)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(GP)people of old ^[az](GQ)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[ba](GR)world has been created ^(GS)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(GT)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(GU)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(GV)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[bb]about his ^(GW)gifts, and through ^[bc]faith, though ^(GX)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(GY)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(GZ)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(HA)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(HB)Noah, being ^(HC)warned by God about ^(HD)things not yet seen, ^[bd](HE)in reverence ^(HF)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(HG)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(HH)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[be]by going out to a place which he was to ^(HI)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(HJ)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(HK)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(HL)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(HM)the city which has ^(HN)foundations, ^(HO)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(HP)Sarah herself received ^[bf]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(HQ)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(HR)one who was as good as dead ^[bg]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(HS)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (HT)All these died in faith, ^(HU)without receiving the promises, but ^(HV)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(HW)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵ And indeed if they had been ^[bh]thinking of that country which they left, ^(HX)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(HY)heavenly one. Therefore ^(HZ)God is not ^[bi]ashamed to be ^(IA)called their God; for ^(IB)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(IC)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(ID)received the promises was offering up his ^[bj]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(IE)Through Isaac your ^[bk]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [bl]He considered that ^(IF)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[bm]as a ^[bn](IG)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(IH)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(II)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(IJ)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(IK)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(IL)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the ^(IM)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(IN)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(IO)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (IP)considering the ^[bo]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(IQ)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(IR)left Egypt, not ^(IS)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(IT)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[bp](IU)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(IV)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(IW)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[bq]drowned.

³⁰ By faith ^(IX)the walls of Jericho fell down ^[br](IY)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ By faith the prostitute ^(IZ)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^[bs]in peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(JA)Gideon, ^(JB)Barak, ^(JC)Samson, ^(JD)Jephthah, of ^(JE)David and ^(JF)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(JG)conquered kingdoms, ^(JH)performed acts of righteousness, ^(JI)obtained promises, ^(JJ)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (JK)quenched the power of fire, ^(JL)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(JM)became mighty in war, ^(JN)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (JO)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[bt]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[bu]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(JP)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(JQ)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[bv]they were tempted, they were ^(JR)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(JS)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(JT)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(JU)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[bw]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(JV)gained approval through their faith, ^(JW)did not receive ^[bx]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[by]provided ^(JX)something better for us, so that ^(JY)apart from us they would not be made perfect.