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One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

¹ For since the Law has only ^(C1)a shadow just a pale representation of ^(C2)the good things to come—not the very image of those things—it can ^(C3)never, by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year, ^(C4)make ^(F1)perfect those who approach its altars.² For if it were otherwise, would not these sacrifices have stopped being offered? For the worshipers, having once for all time been cleansed, would no longer have a ^(C1)consciousness of sin.³ But as it is ^(C1)these continual sacrifices bring a fresh reminder of sins to be atoned for year after year,⁴ for it is ^(C1)impossible for the ^(C2)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.⁵ Therefore, ^(C1)when Christ enters into the world, He says,

"^(C2)SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED,
BUT instead YOU HAVE PREPARED ^(C3)A BODY FOR ME to offer;

^6 (C1)IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO DELIGHT.

⁷ "^(C1)THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME
TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD—
TO FULFILL WHAT IS WRITTEN OF ME IN ^(C2)THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK.'" ^(VR1)

¹¹ Every priest stands at his altar of service ministering daily, ^(C1)offering the same sacrifices over and over, which ^(C2)are never able ^(F1)to strip away sins that envelop and cover us;¹² whereas Christ, having offered the one sacrifice the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself ^(C1)for sins ^(C2)for all time, ^(C3)SAT DOWN signifying the completion of atonement for sin AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD the position of honor,¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(C1)UNTIL HIS ENEMIES ARE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. ^(VR1)14 For by the one offering He has ^(C1)perfected ^(C2)forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity.¹⁵ And ^(C1)the Holy Spirit also adds His testimony to us in confirmation of this; for after having said,

¹⁶ "^(C1)THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL IMPRINT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL INSCRIBE THEM producing an inward change,"
He then says,

¹⁷ "^(C1)AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS ACTS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE no longer holding their sins against them." ^(VR1)

A New and Living Way

¹⁹ Therefore, ^(F1)believers, since we ^(C1)have confidence and full freedom to ^(C2)enter the Holy Place the place where God dwells by means of the blood of Jesus,²⁰ by ^(C1)this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through ^(C2)the veil as in the Holy of Holies, that is, through His flesh,²¹ and since we have ^(C1)a great and wonderful Priest Who rules ^(C2)over the house of God,²² let us ^(C1)approach God with a true and sincere heart in ^(C2)unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts ^(C3)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(C4)washed with pure water.²³ Let us seize and hold tightly the ^(C1)confession of our ^(C2)hope without wavering, for ^(C3)He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful to His word;²⁴ and let us consider thoughtfully how we may ^(C1)encourage one another to love and to do ^(C2)good deeds,²⁵ not forsaking our ^(C1)meeting together as believers for worship and instruction, as is the habit of some, but ^(C2)encouraging one another; and all the more faithfully as you see ^(C3)the day of Christ's return approaching.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(C1)willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving ^(C2)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice to atone for our sins that is, no further offering to anticipate,²⁷ but a kind of awful and terrifying expectation of divine ^(C1)judgment and ^(C2)THE FURY OF A FIRE and BURNING WRATH WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES those who put themselves in opposition to God. ^{(VR1)28 (C1)}Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^{(VR1)29 (C1)}How much greater punishment do you think he will deserve ^(C2)who has rejected and trampled under foot the Son of God, and has considered unclean and common ^(C3)the blood of the covenant ^(C4)that ^(F1)sanctified him, and has ^(C5)insulted the Spirit of grace who imparts the unmerited favor and blessing of God? ^(VR1)30 For we know Him who said, "^(C1)VENGEANCE IS MINE retribution and the deliverance of justice rest with Me, I WILL REPAY the wrongdoer." And again, "^(C2)THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." ^(VR1)31 It is a ^(C1)fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(C2)living God incurring His judgment and wrath.

³² But remember ^(C1)the earlier days, when, after being spiritually ^(C2)enlightened, you patiently endured a great ^(C3)conflict of sufferings,³³ sometimes by being ^(C1)made a spectacle, publicly exposed to insults and distress, and sometimes by becoming ^(C2)companions with those who were so treated.³⁴ For you showed ^(C1)sympathy and deep concern for those who were imprisoned, and you ^(C2)joyfully accepted the unjust seizure of your belongings and the confiscation of your property, conscious of the fact that you have ^(C3)a better possession and a lasting one prepared for you in heaven.³⁵ Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless ^(C1)confidence, for it has a glorious and great ^(C2)reward.³⁶ For you have need of patient ^(C1)endurance to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising, so that when you have ^(C2)carried out the will of God, you may ^(C3)receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.

^37 (C1)FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,
^(C2)HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

^38 (C1)BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE the one justified by faith SHALL LIVE BY FAITH respecting man's relationship to God and trusting Him;
AND IF HE DRAWS BACK shrinking in fear, MY SOUL HAS NO DELIGHT IN HIM. ^(VR1)