Hebrews 9

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1. 1Indeed, the first covenant also had ordinances for divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
2. 2A tabernacle was set up; in the first part were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; which is called the sanctuary.
3. 3And behind the second curtain was the tabernacle called the Holiest of all;
4. 4This room contained the golden censer and the ark of the covenant, which was covered on every side with gold. Inside the ark were a golden jar of manna, Aaron's rod that had budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
5. 5Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, whose wings overshadowed the mercy seat. However, we cannot go into all of these details right now.
6. 6Once everything was arranged this way, the priests regularly entered the first room to carry out their duties before God.
7. 7But only the high priest entered the second room, and only once a year. He never went in without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people.
8. 8The Holy Spirit was indicating that the way into the holiest place was not yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9. 9This was a symbol for that time, when gifts and sacrifices were offered, but they could not make him who performed the service perfect in terms of his conscience.
10. 10They dealt only with food, drink, and various ceremonial washings—outward regulations imposed until the time of reformation.
11. 11But when Christ came as the high priest of the good things to come, he passed through a greater and more perfect tabernacle—one not made by human hands and not part of this created world.
12. 12He didn't enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered the Holy Place once, securing eternal redemption for us.
13. 13For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on the unclean, sanctifies for the purification of the flesh:
14. 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works so that you can serve the living God?
15. 15This is why he is the mediator of the new testament, so that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first testament, those who are called might receive the promised eternal inheritance.
16. 16For where there is a testament, the death of the one who made it must be established.
17. 17For a testament is in effect after people have died; it has no power at all while the one who made it is still alive.
18. 18Therefore, even the first testament was not put into effect without blood.
19. 19For when Moses had spoken every commandment to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people.
20. 20Saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you."
21. 21In the same way, he sprinkled blood on the tabernacle and on every piece of equipment used in worship.
22. 22Under the law, nearly everything is made clean with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23. 23So the copies of the heavenly things had to be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves required better sacrifices.
24. 24Christ didn't enter a sanctuary made by human hands — a mere copy of the real one. He entered heaven itself, where he now stands in God's presence on our behalf.
25. 25He doesn't need to offer himself again and again the way the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that isn't his own.
26. 26If that were necessary, he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now, once at the end of the ages, he has appeared to put away sin by sacrificing himself.
27. 27And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment:
28. 28In the same way, Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. He will appear a second time — not to deal with sin — but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him.