⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple^(A) was torn in two.^(B)

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple^(A) was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split^(B)

³⁸ The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.^(A)

¹⁴ He made the curtain^(A) of blue, purple and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim^(B) worked into it.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence^(A) to enter the Most Holy Place^(B) by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way^(C) opened for us through the curtain,^(D) that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest^(E) over the house of God,^{(F) 22} let us draw near to God^(G) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,^(H) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience^(I) and having our bodies washed with pure water.^(J)

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.

¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^(A)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(A) who has made the two groups one^(B) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(C) the law with its commands and regulations.^(D) His purpose was to create in himself one^(E) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(F) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(G) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(H) 18} For through him we both have access^(I) to the Father^(J) by one Spirit.^(K)

¹² He is to take a censer full of burning coals^(A) from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense^(B) and take them behind the curtain. ¹³ He is to put the incense on the fire before the Lord, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover^(C) above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he will not die.^{(D) 14} He is to take some of the bull’s blood^(E) and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.^(F)

¹⁵ “He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people^(G) and take its blood behind the curtain^(H) and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle^(I) it on the atonement cover and in front of it. ¹⁶ In this way he will make atonement^(J) for the Most Holy Place^(K) because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting,^(L) which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness.