²⁸ because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.

³⁹ But we are not of those ^(A)who draw back to ^[a]perdition, but of those who ^(B)believe to the saving of the soul.

The Just Live by Faith

²⁶ For ^(A)if we sin willfully ^(B)after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there ^(C)no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and ^(D)fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three ^(E)witnesses. ^29 (F)Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, ^(G)counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, ^(H)and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, ^(I)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” ^[a]says the Lord. And again, ^(J)“The Lord will judge His people.”

¹⁵ And for this reason ^(A)He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that ^(B)those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The Mediator’s Death Necessary

¹⁶ For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷ For ^(C)a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

¹¹ But Christ came as High Priest of ^(A)the good things ^[a]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. ¹² Not ^(B)with the blood of goats and calves, but ^(C)with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place ^(D)once for all, ^(E)having obtained eternal redemption.