Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹¹ But Christ has come as the high priest of the good things which have come. He went through a greater and better house which was not made by men's hands. It is not a part of this world.

¹² He did not take the blood of goats and young cows. He took his own blood. And he went into the Most Holy Place just once. He paid for our sins and made us free for ever.

¹³ The priest takes the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes from a young cow that has been burned. He puts this on the people who have done wrong things. This makes their bodies clean.

¹⁴ If the blood of animals can do that, then the blood of Christ will clean our hearts much better. Christ gave himself to God as the sacrifice. He did this by the Spirit who lives for ever. He was a perfect sacrifice. He will clean our hearts from useless acts of worship. Then we can serve the living God.

²⁸ One of the scribes heard them talking. He saw that Jesus gave them a good answer. Then he came and asked, `Which law is the greatest law of all?'

²⁹ Jesus answered, `The greatest one is, "Hear, O Israel. The Lord our God is one Lord.

³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Love him with all your soul. Love him with all your mind. And love him with all your strength."

³¹ The second law is this: "Love your neighbour as you love yourself." No law is greater than these laws.'

³² Then the scribe answered Jesus, `Teacher, what you say is right. There is one God. There are no other gods.

³³ Love God with all your heart. Love him with all your understanding. Love him with all your strength. That is much better than to burn offerings and make sacrifices. Love your neighbour as you love yourself. That is better than any of these offerings and sacrifices.'

³⁴ Jesus saw that the scribe was wise. So he said to him, `You are not far from the kingdom of God.' After that everyone feared to ask him any more questions.