Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests (A)are continually entering the [a]outer [b]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, but into (B)the second, only (C)the high priest enters (D)once a year, (E)not without taking blood which he (F)offers for himself and for the [c](G)sins of the people committed in ignorance. (H)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, (I)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the [d]outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly (J)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which (K)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to (L)food, (M)drink, and various (N)washings, (O)regulations for the [e]body imposed until (P)a time of reformation.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:6 Lit first
  2. Hebrews 9:6 Or sacred tent
  3. Hebrews 9:7 Lit ignorance of the people
  4. Hebrews 9:8 Lit first
  5. Hebrews 9:10 Lit flesh

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