These preparations having thus been made, (A)the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only (B)the high priest goes, and he but (C)once a year, and not without taking blood, (D)which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that (E)the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age).[a] According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered (F)that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with (G)food and drink and (H)various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:9 Or which is symbolic for the age then present

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests always went into the first part of the tent to perform their duties. But only the high priest went[a] into the second part, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins committed by the people in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was indicating by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first part of the tent was still standing. This illustration for today indicates that the gifts and sacrifices being offered could not clear the conscience of a worshiper, 10 since they deal only with food, drink, and various washings, which are required for the body until the time when things would be set right.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:7 The Gk. lacks went