Psalm 111^[a]

² and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle^(A) set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

³ Every high priest^(B) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,^(C) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.^{(D) 4} If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.^{(E) 5} They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy^(F) and shadow^(G) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned^(H) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”^{[a](I) 6} But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant^(J) of which he is mediator^(K) is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

⁷ For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.^{(L) 8} But God found fault with the people and said^[b]:

The Ten Commandments^(A)

5 Moses summoned all Israel and said:

Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws^(B) I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. ² The Lord our God made a covenant^(C) with us at Horeb.^{(D) 3} It was not with our ancestors^[a] that the Lord made this covenant, but with us,^(E) with all of us who are alive here today.^{(F) 4} The Lord spoke^(G) to you face to face^(H) out of the fire^(I) on the mountain. ⁵ (At that time I stood between^(J) the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid^(K) of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:

⁹ Only be careful,^(A) and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach^(B) them to your children^(C) and to their children after them. ¹⁰ Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb,^(D) when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn^(E) to revere^(F) me as long as they live in the land^(G) and may teach^(H) them to their children.” ¹¹ You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain^(I) while it blazed with fire^(J) to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.^(K)

¹⁴ And the Lord directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws^(A) you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

Idolatry Forbidden

¹⁵ You saw no form^(B) of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb^(C) out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully,^{(D) 16} so that you do not become corrupt^(E) and make for yourselves an idol,^(F) an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, ¹⁷ or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,^{(G) 18} or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. ¹⁹ And when you look up to the sky and see the sun,^(H) the moon and the stars^(I)—all the heavenly array^(J)—do not be enticed^(K) into bowing down to them and worshiping^(L) things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. ²⁰ But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace,^(M) out of Egypt,^(N) to be the people of his inheritance,^(O) as you now are.

²¹ The Lord was angry with me^(P) because of you, and he solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance. ²² I will die in this land;^(Q) I will not cross the Jordan; but you are about to cross over and take possession of that good land.^{(R) 23} Be careful not to forget the covenant^(S) of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol^(T) in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. ²⁴ For the Lord your God is a consuming fire,^(U) a jealous God.^(V)

²⁵ After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time—if you then become corrupt^(A) and make any kind of idol,^(B) doing evil^(C) in the eyes of the Lord your God and arousing his anger, ²⁶ I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses^(D) against you^(E) this day that you will quickly perish^(F) from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. ²⁷ The Lord will scatter^(G) you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive^(H) among the nations to which the Lord will drive you. ²⁸ There you will worship man-made gods^(I) of wood and stone,^(J) which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.^{(K) 29} But if from there you seek^(L) the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart^(M) and with all your soul.^{(N) 30} When you are in distress^(O) and all these things have happened to you, then in later days^(P) you will return^(Q) to the Lord your God and obey him. ³¹ For the Lord your God is a merciful^(R) God; he will not abandon^(S) or destroy^(T) you or forget^(U) the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.