¹⁷ “‘On the second day^(A) offer twelve young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.^(B)

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. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls^(AG) and the ashes of a heifer^(AH) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit^(AI) offered himself^(AJ) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(AK) from acts that lead to death,^[c](AL) so that we may serve the living God!^(AM)

¹³ By calling this covenant “new,”^(A) he has made the first one obsolete;^(B) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you,^(A) brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.