Hebrews 9New King James Version
The Earthly Sanctuary(A)
9 Then indeed, even the firstcovenanthad ordinances of divine service and(B)the earthly sanctuary.2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the firstpart,in whichwasthe lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the[a]sanctuary;3 (C)and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,4 which had the(D)golden censer and(E)the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in whichwere(F)the golden pot that had the manna,(G)Aaron’s rod that budded, and(H)the tablets of the covenant;5 and(I)above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Limitations of the Earthly Service
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared,(J)the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.7 But into the second part the high priestwentalone(K)once a year, not without blood, which he offered for(L)himself andforthe people’s sinscommittedin ignorance;8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that(M)the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.9 Itwassymbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered(N)which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10 concernedonly with(O)foods and drinks,(P)various[b]washings,(Q)and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
11 But Christ cameasHigh Priest of(R)the good things[c]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.12 Not(S)with the blood of goats and calves, but(T)with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place(U)once for all,(V)having obtained eternal redemption.13 For if(W)the blood of bulls and goats and(X)the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean,[d]sanctifies for the[e]purifying of the flesh,14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without[f]spot to God,(Y)cleanse your conscience from(Z)dead works(AA)to serve the living God?15 And for this reason(AB)He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that(AC)those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The Mediator’s Death Necessary
16 For where thereisa testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17 For(AD)a testamentisin force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.18 (AE)Therefore not even the firstcovenantwas dedicated without blood.19 For when Moses had spoken every[g]precept to all the people according to the law,(AF)he took the blood of calves and goats,(AG)with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,20 saying,(AH)“Thisisthe(AI)blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”21 Then likewise(AJ)he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.22 And according to the law almost all things are[h]purified with blood, and(AK)without shedding of blood there is no[i]remission.
Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
23 Thereforeit wasnecessary that(AL)the copies of the things in the heavens should be[j]purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.24 For(AM)Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands,which are[k]copies of(AN)the true, but into heaven itself, now(AO)to appear in the presence of God for us;25 not that He should offer Himself often, as(AP)the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.27 (AQ)And as it is appointed for men to die once,(AR)but after this the judgment,28 so(AS)Christ was(AT)offered once to bear the sins(AU)of many. To those who(AV)eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 9:2holy place,lit.holies
- Hebrews 9:10Lit.baptisms
- Hebrews 9:11NUthat have come
- Hebrews 9:13sets apart
- Hebrews 9:13cleansing
- Hebrews 9:14blemish
- Hebrews 9:19command
- Hebrews 9:22cleansed
- Hebrews 9:22forgiveness
- Hebrews 9:23cleansed
- Hebrews 9:24representations
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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