Animal Sacrifices Insufficient
For the law, having a ashadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, bcan never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For ait is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
a“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ ”
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 aBy that will we have been sanctified bthrough the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified
11 And every priest stands aministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 aBut this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down bat the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting atill His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16 a“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, a“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Hold Fast Your Confession
19 Therefore, brethren, having aboldness to enter bthe Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and aliving way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us adraw near with a true heart bin full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for aHe who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 anot forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and bso much the more as you see cthe Day approaching.
The Just Live by Faith
26 For aif we sin willfully bafter we have received the knowledge of the truth, there cno longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and afiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three awitnesses. 29 aOf how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, bcounted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, cand insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, a“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, b“The Lord will judge His people.” 31 aIt is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But arecall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made aa spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while byou became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me ain my chains, and bjoyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that cyou have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, awhich has great reward. 36 aFor you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, byou may receive the promise:
37 “For ayet a little while,
And bHe who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now athe just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those awho draw back to perdition, but of those who bbelieve to the saving of the soul. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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