Study Desk

Now even the first covenant had ^(C1)regulations for divine worship and ^(C2)the earthly sanctuary.

For ^(C1)a ^(F1)tabernacle was equipped, the ^(F2)outer sanctuary, in which were ^(C2)the lampstand, ^(C3)the table, and ^(C4)the ^(F3)sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place.

Behind ^(C1)the second veil there was a ^(F1)tabernacle which is called the ^(C2)Most Holy Place,

having a golden ^(F1)(C1)altar of incense and ^(C2)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(C3)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(C4)Aaron's staff which budded, and ^(C5)the tablets of the covenant;

and above it were the ^(C1)cherubim of glory ^(C2)overshadowing the ^(F1)atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(C1)are continually entering the ^(F1)outer ^(F2)tabernacle, performing the divine worship,

but into ^(C1)the second, only ^(C2)the high priest enters ^(C3)once a year, ^(C4)not without taking blood which he ^(C5)offers for himself and for the ^(F1)(C6)sins of the people committed in ignorance.

^(C1)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(C2)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^(F1)outer tabernacle is still standing,

which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(C1)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(C2)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,

since they relate only to ^(C1)food, ^(C2)drink, and various ^(C3)washings, ^(C4)regulations for the ^(F1)body imposed until ^(C5)a time of reformation.

But when Christ appeared as a ^(C1)high priest of the ^(C2)good things ^(F1)having come, He entered through ^(C3)the greater and more perfect ^(F2)tabernacle, ^(C4)not made by hands, that is, ^(C5)not of this creation;

and not through ^(C1)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(C2)through His own blood, He ^(C3)entered the holy place ^(C4)once for all time, ^(F1)having obtained ^(C5)eternal redemption.

For if ^(C1)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(C2)the ^(F1)ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^(F2)cleansing of the flesh,

how much more will ^(C1)the blood of Christ, who through ^(F1)(C2)the eternal Spirit ^(C3)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(C4)cleanse your conscience from ^(C5)dead works to serve ^(C6)the living God?

For this reason ^(C1)He is the ^(C2)mediator of a ^(C3)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ^(C4)called may ^(C5)receive the promise of ^(C6)the eternal inheritance.

For where there is a ^(F1)covenant, there must of necessity ^(F2)be the death of the one who made it.

For a ^(F1)covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^(F2)for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.

For when every commandment had been ^(C1)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(C2)he took the ^(C3)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(C4)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(C5)the book itself and all the people,

saying, "^(C1)THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD COMMANDED YOU."

And in the same way he ^(C1)sprinkled both the ^(F1)tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood.

And ^(C1)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(C2)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Therefore it was necessary for the ^(C1)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(C1)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

For Christ ^(C1)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(C2)the true one, but into ^(C3)heaven itself, now ^(C4)to appear in the presence of God for us;

nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(C1)the high priest enters ^(C2)the Holy Place ^(C1)year by year with blood that is not his own.

Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(C1)the foundation of the world; but now ^(C2)once at ^(C3)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(C4)revealed to put away sin ^(F1)(C5)by the sacrifice of Himself.

And just as ^(C1)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(C2)comes judgment,

so Christ also, having been ^(C1)offered once to ^(C2)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(C3)a second time for ^(C4)salvation ^(C5)without reference to sin, to those who ^(C6)eagerly await Him.