Study Desk

Now even the first covenant had ^(C1)regulations for divine worship and ^(C2)the earthly sanctuary.

For ^(C1)a ^(F1)tabernacle was equipped, the ^(F2)outer sanctuary, in which were ^(C2)the lampstand, ^(C3)the table, and ^(C4)the ^(F3)sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place.

Behind ^(C1)the second veil there was a ^(F1)tabernacle which is called the ^(C2)Most Holy Place,

having a golden ^(F1)(C1)altar of incense and ^(C2)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(C3)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(C4)Aaron's staff which budded, and ^(C5)the tablets of the covenant;

and above it were the ^(C1)cherubim of glory ^(C2)overshadowing the ^(F1)atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(C1)are continually entering the ^(F1)outer ^(F2)tabernacle, performing the divine worship,

but into ^(C1)the second, only ^(C2)the high priest enters ^(C3)once a year, ^(C4)not without taking blood which he ^(C5)offers for himself and for the ^(F1)(C6)sins of the people committed in ignorance.

^(C1)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(C2)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^(F1)outer tabernacle is still standing,

which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(C1)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(C2)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,

since they relate only to ^(C1)food, ^(C2)drink, and various ^(C3)washings, ^(C4)regulations for the ^(F1)body imposed until ^(C5)a time of reformation.

But when Christ appeared as a ^(C1)high priest of the ^(C2)good things ^(F1)having come, He entered through ^(C3)the greater and more perfect ^(F2)tabernacle, ^(C4)not made by hands, that is, ^(C5)not of this creation;

and not through ^(C1)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(C2)through His own blood, He ^(C3)entered the holy place ^(C4)once for all time, ^(F1)having obtained ^(C5)eternal redemption.

For if ^(C1)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(C2)the ^(F1)ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^(F2)cleansing of the flesh,

how much more will ^(C1)the blood of Christ, who through ^(F1)(C2)the eternal Spirit ^(C3)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(C4)cleanse your conscience from ^(C5)dead works to serve ^(C6)the living God?

For this reason ^(C1)He is the ^(C2)mediator of a ^(C3)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ^(C4)called may ^(C5)receive the promise of ^(C6)the eternal inheritance.

For where there is a ^(F1)covenant, there must of necessity ^(F2)be the death of the one who made it.

For a ^(F1)covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^(F2)for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood.

For when every commandment had been ^(C1)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(C2)he took the ^(C3)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(C4)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(C5)the book itself and all the people,

saying, "^(C1)THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD COMMANDED YOU."

And in the same way he ^(C1)sprinkled both the ^(F1)tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood.

And ^(C1)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(C2)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Therefore it was necessary for the ^(C1)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(C1)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

For Christ ^(C1)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(C2)the true one, but into ^(C3)heaven itself, now ^(C4)to appear in the presence of God for us;

nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(C1)the high priest enters ^(C2)the Holy Place ^(C1)year by year with blood that is not his own.

Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(C1)the foundation of the world; but now ^(C2)once at ^(C3)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(C4)revealed to put away sin ^(F1)(C5)by the sacrifice of Himself.

And just as ^(C1)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(C2)comes judgment,

so Christ also, having been ^(C1)offered once to ^(C2)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(C3)a second time for ^(C4)salvation ^(C5)without reference to sin, to those who ^(C6)eagerly await Him.

For the Law, since it has only ^(C1)a shadow of ^(C2)the good things to come and not the ^(F1)form of those things itself, ^(F2)can ^(C3)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(C4)make those who approach perfect.

Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had ^(C1)consciousness of sins?

But ^(C1)in ^(F1)those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

For it is ^(C1)impossible for the ^(C2)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, ^(C1)when He comes into the world, He says, "^(C2)YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED SACRIFICE AND OFFERING, BUT ^(C3)YOU HAVE PREPARED A BODY FOR ME;

^(C1)YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN PLEASURE IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND OFFERINGS FOR SIN.

-"^(C1)THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IT IS WRITTEN OF ME IN ^(C2)THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'"

After saying above, "^(C1)SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND ^(C2)WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND OFFERINGS ^(C3)FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU TAKEN PLEASURE IN THEM" (which are offered according to the Law),

then He ^(F1)said, "^(C1)BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.

By ^(F1)this will, we have been ^(C1)sanctified through ^(C2)the offering of ^(C3)the body of Jesus Christ ^(C4)once for all time.

Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(C1)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(C2)can never take away sins;

but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(C1)for ^(F1)sins ^(C2)for all time, ^(C3)SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,

waiting from that time onward ^(C1)UNTIL HIS ENEMIES ARE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.

For by one offering He has ^(C1)perfected ^(C2)for all time those who are ^(F1)sanctified.

And ^(C1)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

"^(C1)THIS IS THE COVENANT WHICH I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, DECLARES THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEARTS, AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR MIND," He then says,

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

"^(C1)AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL NO LONGER REMEMBER."

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we ^(C1)have confidence to ^(C2)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

by ^(C1)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(C2)the veil, that is, through His flesh,

and since we have ^(C1)a great priest ^(C2)over the house of God,

let's ^(C1)approach God with a ^(F1)sincere heart in ^(C2)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(C3)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(C4)washed with pure water.

Let's hold firmly to the ^(C1)confession of our ^(C2)hope without wavering, for ^(C3)He who promised is faithful;

and let's consider how ^(C1)to ^(F1)encourage one another in love and ^(C2)good deeds,

not abandoning our own ^(C1)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(C2)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(C3)the day drawing near.

For if we go on ^(C1)sinning willfully after receiving ^(C2)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

but a terrifying expectation of ^(C1)judgment and ^(C2)THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.

^(C1)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

^(C1)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(C2)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(C3)the blood of the covenant ^(C4)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(C5)insulted the Spirit of grace?

For we know Him who said, "^(C1)VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "^(C2)THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."

It is a ^(C1)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(C2)living God.

But remember ^(C1)the former days, ^(F1)when, after being ^(C2)enlightened, you endured a great ^(C3)conflict of sufferings,

partly by being ^(C1)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^(F1)(C2)companions with those who were so treated.

For you ^(C1)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(C2)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(C3)a better and lasting possession.

Therefore, do not throw away your ^(C1)confidence, which has a great ^(C2)reward.

For you have need of ^(C1)endurance, so that when you have ^(C2)done the will of God, you may ^(C3)receive ^(F1)what was promised.

^(C1)FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, ^(C2)HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

^(C1)BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.

But ^(F1)we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.

Now faith is the ^(C1)certainty of things ^(F1)(C2)hoped for, a ^(F2)proof of ^(C3)things not seen.

For by it the ^(C1)people of old ^(F1)(C2)gained approval.

By faith we understand that the ^(F1)(C1)world has been created ^(C2)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(C3)has not been made out of things that are visible.

By faith ^(C1)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(C2)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^(F1)about his ^(C3)gifts, and through ^(F2)faith, though ^(C4)he is dead, he still speaks.

By faith ^(C1)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(C2)see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(C1)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.

By faith ^(C1)Noah, being ^(C2)warned by God about ^(C3)things not yet seen, ^(F1)(C4)in reverence ^(C5)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(C6)the righteousness which is according to faith.

By faith ^(C1)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^(F1)by going out to a place which he was to ^(C2)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(C1)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(C2)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(C3)fellow heirs of the same promise;

for he was looking for ^(C1)the city which has ^(C2)foundations, ^(C3)whose architect and builder is God.

By faith even ^(C1)Sarah herself received ^(F1)ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(C2)faithful who had promised.

Therefore even from one man, and ^(C1)one who was as good as dead ^(F1)at that, there were born descendants who were ^(C2)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^(C1)All these died in faith, ^(C2)without receiving the promises, but ^(C3)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(C4)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

And indeed if they had been ^(F1)thinking of that country which they left, ^(C1)they would have had opportunity to return.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(C1)heavenly one. Therefore ^(C2)God is not ^(F1)ashamed to be ^(C3)called their God; for ^(C4)He has prepared a city for them.

By faith ^(C1)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(C2)received the promises was offering up his ^(F1)only son;

it was he to whom it was said, "^(C1)THROUGH ISAAC YOUR ^(F1)DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED."

^(F1)He considered that ^(C1)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^(F2)as a ^(F3)(C2)type.

By faith ^(C1)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

By faith ^(C1)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(C2)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

By faith ^(C1)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

By faith ^(C1)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the ^(C2)king's edict.

By faith Moses, ^(C1)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

choosing rather to ^(C1)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin,

^(C1)considering the ^(F1)reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(C2)reward.

By faith he ^(C1)left Egypt, not ^(C2)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(C3)seeing Him who is unseen.

By faith he ^(F1)(C1)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(C2)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.

By faith they ^(C1)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^(F1)drowned.

By faith ^(C1)the walls of Jericho fell down ^(F1)(C2)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute ^(C1)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^(F1)in peace.

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of ^(C5)David and ^(C6)Samuel and the prophets,

who by faith ^(C1)conquered kingdoms, ^(C2)performed acts of righteousness, ^(C3)obtained promises, ^(C4)shut the mouths of lions,

^(C1)quenched the power of fire, ^(C2)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(C3)became mighty in war, ^(C3)put foreign armies to flight.

^(C1)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^(F1)release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

and others ^(F1)experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(C1)chains and imprisonment.

They were ^(C1)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^(F1)they were tempted, they were ^(C2)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(C3)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(C4)tormented

(people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(C1)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^(F1)in the ground.

And all these, having ^(C1)gained approval through their faith, ^(C2)did not receive ^(F1)what was promised,

because God had ^(F1)provided ^(C1)something better for us, so that ^(C2)apart from us they would not be made perfect.