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¹ FOR the law had in it a shadow of the good things to come, but was not the essence of the things themselves; hence although the same sacrifices were offered every year, they could not perfect those who offered them.² For if they had once been perfected, they would have ceased from their offerings; for, from henceforth their minds would not have driven them into the sins from which they had once been cleansed.³ But in those sacrifices they remembered their sins every year.⁴ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats could take away sins.⁵ Therefore, when he entered into the world, he said: Sacrifices and offerings thou didst not desire, but a body thou hast prepared me:⁶ Burnt offering and sin offering thou has not required.

⁷ Then said I, Lo, I come, in the beginning of the books, it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O God.⁸ Above when he said: Sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and offerings for sins, thou wouldst not, the very ones which were offered according to the law:⁹ And after that he said, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Thus he put an end to the first in order to establish the second.¹⁰ By this very will, we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.¹¹ For every high priest appointed ministered daily, offering the same sacrifices, which had never been able to cleanse sins:¹² But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down on the right hand of God for ever.¹³ From henceforth there he will remain until his enemies are placed as a foot-stool under his feet.¹⁴ For by one offering he has perfected for ever those who are sanctified.¹⁵ The Holy Spirit is also a witness to us: for he had said before,¹⁶ This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts.¹⁷ And their iniquities and sins will I remember no more.¹⁸ For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is no need for offering for sins.

¹⁹ Having therefore, my brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,²⁰ By a new and living way, which he has made new for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;²¹ And having a great high priest over the house of God:²² Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled and cleansed of evil thought, and our bodies washed with pure water.²³ Let us remain firm in the profession of our faith without wavering: for he who has promised us is faithful.²⁴ And let us consider one another to arouse love and good works:²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is customary for some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more when you see that day approaching.²⁶ For if any man sin willfully after he has received the knowledge of the truth, then there is no more sacrifice to be offered for sins,²⁷ But he is ready for the fearful judgment and the fiery indignation which shall consume the adversaries.²⁸ He who transgressed the law of Moses, on the word of two or three witnesses; died without mercy:²⁹ How much more punishment do you think he will receive who has trodden underfoot the Son of God, and has considered the blood of his covenant, through which he had been sanctified, as ordinary blood and has blasphemed the Spirit of Grace?³⁰ For we know him who said, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the LORD. And again, The LORD shall judge his people.³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.³² Remember, therefore, the former days, in which, after you received baptism, you endured a great fight of suffering.³³ By reproach and trouble, you were made an object of ridicule; and you have also become companions of those men who have also endured these things.³⁴ And you had pity on those who were prisoners, and you took the seizure of your property cheerfully, for you know in yourselves that you have a better and a more enduring possession in heaven.³⁵ Do not lose, therefore, the confidence that you have, for it has a great reward.³⁶ For you have need of patience in order that you may do the will of God and receive the promise.³⁷ For the time is all too short, and he who is to come will come, and will not delay.³⁸ But the righteous shall live by my faith: and if any draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.³⁹ But we do not belong to those who draw back to perdition, but to the faith which restores our soul.