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15 For this reason, he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death took place as payment for the trespasses committed under the first covenant, so that those who are called would receive the promised eternal inheritance. 16 For where a will[a] exists, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made the will. 17 For a will takes effect at the time of death, since it is never in force when the one who made the will is still living.

18 For this reason, the first covenant was not ratified without blood. 19 Indeed, after every command was spoken by Moses to all the people, in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats,[b] with water and scarlet wool and a hyssop branch, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant that God established for you.”[c] 21 In the same way he sprinkled blood on the tent and all the objects for worship. 22 And nearly everything is cleansed with blood according to the law. And, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:16 Or testament (referring to a last will and testament); the Greek diatheke can be translated covenant or testament or will, depending on the context.
  2. Hebrews 9:19 A few witnesses to the text omit and of goats.
  3. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8