1Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. (Ex 25:8)2For a tent[1] was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence.[2] It is called the Holy Place. (Ex 25:23; Ex 25:30; Ex 25:31; Ex 26:1; Ex 26:35; Ex 40:4; Le 24:5)3Behind the second curtain was a second section[3] called the Most Holy Place, (Ex 26:31; Ex 40:3; Ex 40:21)4having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. (Ex 16:33; Ex 25:10; Ex 25:16; Ex 26:33; Ex 40:3; Ex 40:20; Ex 40:21; Le 16:12; Nu 17:10; De 10:2; De 10:5; 1Ki 8:9; 1Ki 8:21; 2Ch 5:10; Re 11:19)5Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. (Ex 25:18; Le 16:2; 1Ki 8:6)6These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, (Nu 28:3)7but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. (Ex 30:10; Le 16:15; Le 16:34; Heb 5:3; Heb 10:3)8By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (Joh 14:6; Heb 10:20)9(which is symbolic for the present age).[4] According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, (Heb 7:19)10but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. (Le 11:2; Le 11:25; Mr 7:4; Mr 7:8)
Redemption Through the Blood of Christ
11But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,[5] then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) (Mr 14:58; Heb 8:2; Heb 9:24; Heb 10:1)12he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (Job 33:24; Da 9:24; Ac 20:28; 1Co 6:20; Heb 7:27; Heb 9:24; Heb 10:4; Heb 10:10)13For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify[6] for the purification of the flesh, (Le 16:14; Nu 19:2; Nu 19:17)14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our[7] conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Ro 6:13; Heb 1:3; Heb 6:1; Heb 7:27; Heb 8:3; Heb 9:12; Heb 10:22; 1Pe 4:2; 1Jo 1:7; Re 7:14)15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.[8] (Ex 32:13; Ro 3:24; Ro 5:6; Ro 8:28; Heb 3:1; Heb 8:6; Heb 10:36; Heb 12:24)16For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.17For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. (Ga 3:15)18Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. (Ex 24:6; Ex 24:8)19For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, (Le 14:4; Le 14:7; Nu 19:6; Nu 19:17; Heb 9:12)20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” (Ex 24:8; Mt 26:28)21And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. (Ex 29:12; Ex 29:36; Le 8:15; Le 8:19; Le 16:14; Le 16:16; 2Ch 29:22)22Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Le 17:11)23Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Heb 8:5)24For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (Ro 8:34; Heb 7:25; Heb 8:2; Heb 9:11)25Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, (Heb 9:7; Heb 10:19)26for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (1Co 10:11; Heb 1:2; Heb 7:27; Heb 9:12; Heb 10:10; 1Pe 3:18; 1Jo 3:5)27And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, (Ge 3:19; Mt 16:27)28so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Isa 25:9; Isa 53:12; Mt 20:28; Mt 26:28; Mr 10:45; Ac 1:11; Tit 2:13; Heb 4:15; 1Pe 2:24; 1Pe 3:18; Re 5:9)
Hebrews 9
New International Version
Worship in the earthly tabernacle
1Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.2A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place.3Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,4which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.5Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.6When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.7But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.8The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning.9This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper.10They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings – external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
The blood of Christ
11But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[1] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.12He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, so obtaining[2] eternal redemption.13The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[3] so that we may serve the living God!15For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.16In the case of a will,[4] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it,17because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.18This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.19When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.20He said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.’ (Ex 24:8)21In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies.22In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.24For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.26Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.27Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 9
King James Version
1Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.2For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.3And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;5And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.6Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.7But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:8The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:9Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.18Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,20Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.21Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 9
New International Reader’s Version
Worship in the holy tent on earth
1The first covenant had rules for worship. It also had a sacred tent on earth.2A holy tent was set up. The lampstand was in the first room. So was the table with its holy bread. That was called the Holy Room.3Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Room.4It had the golden altar for incense. It also had the wooden chest called the ark of the covenant. The ark was covered with gold. It held the gold jar of manna. It held Aaron’s walking stick that had budded. It also held the stone tablets. The words of the covenant were written on them.5The cherubim were above the ark. God showed his glory there. The cherubim spread their wings over the place where sin was paid for. But we can’t say everything about these things now.6That’s how everything was arranged in the holy tent. The priests entered it at regular times. They went into the outer room to do their work for God and others.7But only the high priest went into the inner room. He went in only once a year. He never entered without taking blood with him. He offered the blood for himself. He also offered it for the sins the people had committed because they didn’t know any better.8Here is what the Holy Spirit was showing us. He was telling us that God had not yet clearly shown the way into the Most Holy Room. It would not be clearly shown as long as the first holy tent was still being used.9That’s an example for the present time. It shows us that the gifts and sacrifices people offered were not enough. They were not able to remove the worshipper’s feelings of guilt.10They deal only with food and drink and different kinds of special washings. They are rules people had to obey only until the new covenant came.
The blood of Christ
11But Christ came to be the high priest of the good things already here now. When he came, he went through the greater and more perfect holy tent. This tent was not made with human hands. In other words, it is not a part of this creation.12He did not enter by spilling the blood of goats and calves. He entered the Most Holy Room by spilling his own blood. He did it once and for all time. In this way, he paid the price to set us free from sin for ever.13The blood of goats and bulls is sprinkled on people. So are the ashes of a young cow. They are sprinkled on people the law called ‘unclean’. The people are sprinkled to make them holy. That makes them ‘clean’ on the outside.14But Christ offered himself to God without any flaw. He did this through the power of the eternal Holy Spirit. So how much cleaner will the blood of Christ make us! It washes away our feelings of guilt for committing sin. Sin always leads to death. But now we can serve the living God.15That’s why Christ is the go-between of a new covenant. Now those God calls to himself will receive the eternal gift he promised. They will receive it now that Christ has died to save them. He died to set them free from the sins they committed under the first covenant.16What happens when someone leaves a will? It is necessary to prove that the person who made the will has died.17A will is in effect only when somebody has died. It never takes effect while the one who made it is still living.18That’s why even the first covenant was not put into effect without the spilling of blood.19Moses first announced every command of the law to all the people. Then he took the blood of calves. He also took water, bright red wool and branches of a hyssop plant. He sprinkled the Book of the Covenant. He also sprinkled all the people.20He said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant God has commanded you to keep.’ (Ex 24:8)21In the same way, he sprinkled the holy tent with blood. He also sprinkled everything that was used in worship there.22In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be made ‘clean’ with blood. Without the spilling of blood, no one can be forgiven.23So the copies of the heavenly things had to be made pure with these sacrifices. But the heavenly things themselves had to be made pure with better sacrifices.24Christ did not enter a sacred tent made with human hands. That tent was only a copy of the true one. He entered heaven itself. He did it to stand in front of God for us. He is there now.25The high priest enters the Most Holy Room every year. He enters with blood that is not his own. But Christ did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again.26If he had, he would have had to suffer many times since the world was created. But he has appeared once and for all time. He has come at the time when God’s work is being completed. He has come to do away with sin by offering himself.27People have to die once. After that, God will judge them.28In the same way, Christ was offered up once. He took away the sins of many people. He will also come a second time. At that time he will not suffer for sin. Instead, he will come to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.