1Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, (Mr 16:19)2a minister in the holy places, in the true tent[1] that the Lord set up, not man. (Ex 33:7; Heb 9:11; Heb 9:24)3For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. (Eph 5:2; Heb 5:1; Heb 9:12; Heb 10:9)4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.5They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” (Ex 25:40; Col 2:17; Heb 9:23; Heb 10:1)6But as it is, Christ[2] has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (2Co 3:6; Ga 3:19; Heb 1:4; Heb 7:22; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24)7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. (Heb 7:11)8For he finds fault with them when he says:[3] “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, (Jer 31:31)9not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Ro 11:27; 2Co 3:3; Heb 10:16)11And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. (Isa 54:13; Joh 6:45; 1Jo 2:27)12For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Ro 11:27; Heb 10:17)13In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (2Co 5:17)
Hebrews 8
New International Version
The high priest of a new covenant
1Now the main point of what we are saying is this: we do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,2and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.3Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.4If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.5They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: ‘See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’ (Ex 25:40)6But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.7For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.8But God found fault with the people and said[1]: ‘The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.9It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.10This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.11No longer will they teach their neighbours, or say to one another, “Know the Lord,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’ (Jer 31:31)13By calling this covenant ‘new’, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Hebrews 8
King James Version
1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.3For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.6But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.8For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 8
New International Reader’s Version
The high priest of a new covenant
1Here is the main point of what we are saying. We have a high priest like that. He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the King, the Majesty in heaven.2He serves in the sacred tent. The Lord set up the true holy tent. A mere human being did not set it up.3Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. So this priest also had to have something to offer.4What if he were on earth? Then he would not be a priest. There are already priests who offer the gifts required by the law.5They serve at a sacred tent. But it is only a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. That’s why God warned Moses when he was about to build the holy tent. God said, ‘Be sure to make everything just like the pattern I showed you on the mountain.’ (Ex 25:40)6But Jesus has been given a greater work to do for God. He is the go-between for the new covenant. This covenant is better than the old one. The new covenant is based on better promises.7Suppose nothing had been wrong with that first covenant. Then no one would have looked for another covenant.8But God found fault with the people. He said, ‘The days are coming, announces the Lord. I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. I will also make it with the people of Judah.9It will not be like the covenant I made with their people of long ago. That was when I took them by the hand. I led them out of Egypt. My new covenant will be different because they didn’t remain faithful to my old covenant. So I turned away from them, announces the Lord.10This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds. I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God. And they will be my people.11People will not teach their neighbour anymore. They will not say to one another, “Know the Lord.” That’s because everyone will know me. From the least important to the most important, all of them will know me.12I will forgive their evil ways. I will not remember their sins anymore.’ (Jer 31:31)13God called this covenant ‘new’. So he has done away with the first one. And what is out of date and has been done away with will soon disappear.