1 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very
image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which
they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Or else
wouldn't they have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having been
once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? 3 But in
those sacrifices there is yearly reminder of sins. 4 For it is impossible
that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. 5 Therefore when
he comes into the world, he says,
"Sacrifice and offering you didn't desire,
But a body did you prepare for me;
6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the book it is
written of me)
To do your will, God.'"
8 Previously saying, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings
and sacrifices for sin you didn't desire, neither had pleasure in them"
(those which are offered according to the law), 9 then he has said,
"Behold, I have come to do your will." He takes away the first, that he may
establish the second, 10 by which will we have been sanctified through the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Every priest indeed
stands day by day ministering and often offering the same sacrifices, which
can never take away sins, 12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for
sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 from that time
waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. 14 For by
one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them:
'After those days,' says the Lord,
'I will put my laws on their heart,
I will also write them on their mind;'"
then he says,
17 "I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more."
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by
the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and
living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having a
great priest over the house of God, 22 let's draw near with a true heart
in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,
and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let us hold fast the
confession of our hope unyieldingly. For he who promised is faithful.
24 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is,
but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day
approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but
a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which
will devour the adversaries. 28 A man who disregards Moses' law dies
without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. 29 How much
worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has
trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant
with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of
grace? 30 For we know him who said, "Vengeance belongs to me," says the
Lord, "I will repay." Again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But remember
the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured
a great struggle with sufferings; 33 partly, being exposed to both
reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who
were treated so. 34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains,
and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that
you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the
heavens. 35 Therefore don't throw away your boldness, which has a great
reward. 36 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of
God, you may receive the promise.
37 "In a very little while,
He who comes will come, and will not wait.
38 But the righteous will live by faith.
If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those
who have faith to the saving of the soul.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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