009:004 This had a censer of gold, and the ark of the Covenant lined with gold and completely covered with gold, and in it were a gold vase which held the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded and the tables of the Covenant.
009:005 And above the ark were the Cherubim denoting God's glorious
presence and overshadowing the Mercy-seat. But I cannot now
speak about all these in detail.
009:006 These arrangements having long been completed, the priests,
when conducting the divine services, continually enter
the outer tent.
009:007 But into the second, the High Priest goes only on one day of the year, and goes alone, taking with him blood, which he offers on his own behalf and on account of the sins which the people have ignorantly committed.
009:008 And the lesson which the Holy Spirit teaches is this—
that the way into the true Holy place is not yet open so long
as the outer tent still remains in existence.
009:009 And this is a figure—for the time now present—answering to
which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, unable though they
are to give complete freedom from sin to him who ministers.
009:010 For their efficacy depends only on meats and drinks and
various washings, ceremonies pertaining to the body and imposed
until a time of reformation.
009:011 But Christ appeared as a High Priest of the blessings that are soon to come by means of the greater and more perfect Tent of worship, a tent which has not been built with hands— that is to say does not belong to this material creation—
009:012 and once for all entered the Holy place, taking with Him
not the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood,
and thus procuring eternal redemption for us.
009:013 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer
sprinkling those who have contracted defilement make them
holy so as to bring about ceremonial purity,