Limitations of the Earthly Service

6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, ithe priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone jonce a year, not without blood, which he offered for khimself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that lthe way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered mwhich cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10 concerned only with nfoods and drinks, ovarious 2washings, pand fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

11 But Christ came as High Priest of qthe good things 3to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not rwith the blood of goats and calves, but swith His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place tonce for all, uhaving obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if vthe blood of bulls and goats and wthe ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, 4sanctifies for the 5purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without 6spot to God, xcleanse your conscience from ydead works zto serve the living God? 15 And for this reason aHe is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that bthose who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The Mediator’s Death Necessary

16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For ca testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 dTherefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every 7precept to all the people according to the law, ehe took the blood of calves and goats, fwith water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, g“This is the hblood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise ihe sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are 8purified with blood, and jwithout shedding of blood there is no 9remission.