The Earthly and Heavenly Sanctuaries

1 Now indeed the first covenant had also regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary.
2 For a tabernacle was prepared, the first, in which were the lampstand, and the table, and the bread of the Presence, which is called the Holy Place.
3 And behind the second veil was a tabernacle called the Holy of Holies,
4 which had a golden censer and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
5 and above it were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak in detail.

6 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go continually into the first tabernacle, performing the sacred duties;
7 but into the second, only the high priest once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.
8 The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the holy place was not yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.

9 It is a symbol for the present time, indicating the gifts and sacrifices offered are not able, in conscience, to perfect the worshiper,
10 but only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of setting things right.

Christ’s Superior Sacrifice

11 But Christ having come as high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,
12 nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who are defiled sanctifies for the cleansing of the flesh,
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this reason, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of transgressions under the first covenant, those having been called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a covenant is, the death of the one who made it must be established.
17 For a covenant is established by death; for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.
19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God commanded you.”

21 And likewise he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with blood.
22 And according to the law, almost all things are purified with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 nor did He enter to offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with the blood of another;
26 for then He would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once, at the culmination of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment,
28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to those who await Him, for salvation.