IX. Now the first had indeed also ordinances of service, and the worldly sanctuary. 2For a tabernacle was prepared; the first, wherein is the lamp-stand, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called holy. 3And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called most holy, 4having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on every side with gold, wherein was the golden pot containing the manna, and the rod of Aaron which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5and above it the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which we can not now speak particularly.
6Now these things being thus prepared, into the first tabernacle the priests enter at all times, performing the services; 7but into the second, the high priest alone, once every year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people; 8the Holy Spirit signifying this, that the way into the holy places has not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; 9which is a figure for the time present, under which are offered both gifts and sacrifices, unable as to the conscience to perfect the worshiper; 10only with meats and drinks[10], and divers immersions, ordinances of the flesh, imposed until the time of reformation. 11But Christ, having come as a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), 12and not through the blood of goats and calves but through his own blood, entered once for all into the holy places, obtaining eternal redemption. 13For if the blood of goats and bulls, and ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctifies to the purity of the flesh; 14how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15And for this cause he is mediator of a new covenant, in order that, death having taken place, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, they who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16For where there is a testament[16], there must also of necessity be brought in the death of the testator. 17For a testament is of force after men are dead; since it is of no strength at all while the testator lives.
18Wherefore, neither has the first been dedicated without blood. 19For, when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and of the goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying: 20This is the blood of the covenant, which God enjoined in respect to you. 21And moreover, the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the service, he in like manner sprinkled with blood. 22And nearly all things are cleansed according to the law with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
23It was therefore necessary, that the outlines of things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves, with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ entered not into holy places made with hands, figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25nor yet that he should many times offer himself, as the high priest enters into the holy places every year with blood of others; 26for then must he many times have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once, in the end of the ages, he has been manifested for the putting away of sin by the sacrifice of himself[26]. 27And inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment; 28so also the Christ, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, will to those who look for him appear a second time without sin, unto salvation.
X. For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those who come to them[1] perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers would have had no more consciousness of sins, having once been cleansed? 3But in them there is a remembrance of sins year by year. 4For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5Wherefore, when he comes into the world, he says:
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not,
But a body didst thou prepare for me;
6In whole burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin, thou hadst no pleasure.
7Then said I: Lo, I come,