³ Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,^{(A) 4} which had the golden altar of incense^(B) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.^(C) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,^(D) Aaron’s staff that had budded,^(E) and the stone tablets of the covenant.^{(F) 5} Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,^(G) overshadowing the atonement cover.^(H) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

⁶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly^(I) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered^(J) the inner room,^(K) and that only once a year,^(L) and never without blood,^(M) which he offered for himself^(N) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.^{(O) 8} The Holy Spirit was showing^(P) by this that the way^(Q) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. ⁹ This is an illustration^(R) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered^(S) were not able to clear the conscience^(T) of the worshiper. ¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(U) and drink^(V) and various ceremonial washings^(W)—external regulations^(X) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

¹¹ But when Christ came as high priest^(Y) of the good things that are now already here,^[a](Z) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle^(AA) that is not made with human hands,^(AB) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. ¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;^(AC) but he entered the Most Holy Place^(AD) once for all^(AE) by his own blood,^(AF) thus obtaining^[b] eternal redemption.

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood,^(A) he too shared in their humanity^(B) so that by his death he might break the power^(C) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil^(D)— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear^(E) of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.^{(F) 17} For this reason he had to be made like them,^[a](G) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful^(H) and faithful high priest^(I) in service to God,^(J) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.^{(K) 18} Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.^(L)