Hebrews 8:6-9:14

English Standard Version

⁶ But as it is, Christ^[a] has obtained a ministry that is ^(A)as much more excellent than the old as ^(B)the covenant ^(C)he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. ^7 (D)For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

⁸ For he finds fault with them when he says:^[b]

¹³ In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And ^(J)what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The Earthly Holy Place

9 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and ^(K)an earthly place of holiness. ² For ^(L)a tent^[c] was prepared, the first section, in which were ^(M)the lampstand and ^(N)the table and ^(O)the bread of the Presence.^[d] It is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(P)the second curtain was a second section^[e] called the Most Holy Place, ⁴ having the golden ^(Q)altar of incense and ^(R)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(S)a golden urn holding the manna, and ^(T)Aaron's staff that budded, and ^(U)the tablets of the covenant. ⁵ Above it were ^(V)the cherubim of glory overshadowing ^(W)the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ These preparations having thus been made, ^(X)the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷ but into the second only ^(Y)the high priest goes, and he but ^(Z)once a year, and not without taking blood, ^(AA)which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸ By this the Holy Spirit indicates that ^(AB)the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹ (which is symbolic for the present age).^[f] According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered ^(AC)that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰ but deal only with ^(AD)food and drink and ^(AE)various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest ^(AF)of the good things that have come,^[g] then through ^(AG)the greater and more perfect tent (^(AH)not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) ¹² he ^(AI)entered ^(AJ)once for all into the holy places, not by means of ^(AK)the blood of goats and calves but ^(AL)by means of his own blood, ^(AM)thus securing an eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(AN)the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with ^(AO)the ashes of a heifer, sanctify^[h] for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(AP)the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit ^(AQ)offered himself without blemish to God, ^(AR)purify our^[i] conscience ^(AS)from dead works ^(AT)to serve the living God.