1 The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn't the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices. 3-4 But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next.
5 When Christ came into the world, he said to God,
“Sacrifices and offerings
are not what you want,
but you have given me
my body.
6 No, you are not pleased
with animal sacrifices
and offerings for sin.”
7 Then Christ said,
“And so, my God,
I have come to do
what you want,
as the Scriptures say.”
8 The Law teaches that offerings and sacrifices must be made because of sin. But why did Christ mention these things and say that God did not want them? 9 Well, it was to do away with offerings and sacrifices and to replace them. This is what he meant by saying to God, “I have come to do what you want.” 10 So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all.
11 The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God's right side, 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. 14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.
15 The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said,
16 “When the time comes,
I will make an agreement
with them.
I will write my laws
on their minds and hearts.
17 Then I will forget
about their sins
and no longer remember
their evil deeds.”
18 When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.
Encouragement and Warning
19 My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place 20 by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.
21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God's house. 22 So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. 23 We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. 24 We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. 25 Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.
26 No sacrifices can be made for people who decide to sin after they find out about the truth. 27 They are God's enemies, and all they can look forward to is a terrible judgment and a furious fire. 28 If two or more witnesses accused someone of breaking the Law of Moses, that person could be put to death. 29 But it is much worse to dishonor God's Son and to disgrace the blood of the promise that made us holy. And it is just as bad to insult the Holy Spirit, who shows us mercy. 30 We know that God has said he will punish and take revenge. We also know that the Scriptures say the Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
32 Don't forget all the hard times you went through when you first received the light. 33 Sometimes you were abused and mistreated in public, and at other times you shared in the sufferings of others. 34 You were kind to people in jail. And you gladly let your possessions be taken away, because you knew you had something better, something that would last forever.
35 Keep on being brave! It will bring you great rewards. 36 Learn to be patient, so you will please God and be given what he has promised. 37 As the Scriptures say,
“God is coming soon!
It won't be very long.
38 The people God accepts
will live because
of their faith.
But he isn't pleased
with anyone
who turns back.”
39 We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved.
1 For the Law hauing the shadowe of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can neuer with those sacrifices, which they offer yeere by yeere continually, sanctifie the commers thereunto. 2 For would they not then haue ceased to haue bene offered, because that the offerers once purged, should haue had no more conscience of sinnes? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance againe of sinnes euery yeere. 4 For it is vnpossible that the blood of bulles and goates should take away sinnes. 5 Wherefore when he commeth into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offring thou wouldest not: but a body hast thou ordeined me. 6 In burnt offerings, and sinne offrings thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then I sayd, Lo, I come (In the beginning of the booke it is written of me) that I should doe thy will, O God. 8 Aboue, when he sayd, Sacrifice and offring, and burnt offrings, and sinne offrings thou wouldest not haue, neither hadst pleasure therein (which are offered by the Lawe) 9 Then sayd he, Lo, I come to doe thy wil, O God, he taketh away the first, that he may stablish the second. 10 By the which wil we are sanctified, euen by the offring of the body of Iesus Christ once made. 11 And euery Priest standeth dayly ministring, and oft times offreth one maner of offring, which can neuer take away sinnes: 12 But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes, sitteth for euer at the right hand of God, 13 And from hencefoorth tarieth, till his enemies be made his footestoole. 14 For with one offering hath he consecrated for euer them that are sanctified. 15 For the holy Ghost also beareth vs record: for after that he had sayd before, 16 This is the Testament that I will make vnto them after those dayes, sayth the Lord, I wil put my Lawes in their heart, and in their mindes I will write them. 17 And their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Nowe where remission of these things is, there is no more offering for sinne. 19 Seeing therefore, brethren, that by the blood of Iesus we may be bolde to enter into the Holy place, 20 By the newe and liuing way, which hee hath prepared for vs, through the vaile, that is, his flesh: 21 And seeing we haue an hie Priest, which is ouer the house of God, 22 Let vs drawe neere with a true heart in assurance of faith, our hearts being pure from an euill conscience, 23 And washed in our bodies with pure water, let vs keepe the profession of our hope, without wauering, (for he is faithfull that promised) 24 And let vs consider one another, to prouoke vnto loue, and to good workes, 25 Not forsaking the fellowship that we haue among our selues, as the maner of some is: but let vs exhort one another, and that so much the more, because ye see that the day draweth neere. 26 For if we sinne willingly after that we haue receiued and acknowledged that trueth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes, 27 But a fearefull looking for of iudgement, and violent fire, which shall deuoure the aduersaries. 28 He that despiseth Moses Law, dieth without mercy vnder two, or three witnesses: 29 Of howe much sorer punishment suppose ye shall hee be worthy, which treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God, and counteth the blood of the Testament as an vnholy thing, wherewith he was sanctified, and doeth despite the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath sayd, Vengeance belongeth vnto mee: I will recompense, saith the Lord. And againe, The Lord shall iudge his people. 31 It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God. 32 Nowe call to remembrance the dayes that are passed, in the which, after ye had receiued light, ye endured a great fight in afflictions, 33 Partly while yee were made a gazing stocke both by reproches and afflictions, and partly while ye became companions of them which were so tossed to and from. 34 For both ye sorowed with mee for my bonds, and suffered with ioy the spoyling of your goods, knowing in your selues howe that ye haue in heauen a better, and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye haue neede of patience, that after ye haue done the will of God, ye might receiue the promise. 37 For yet a very litle while, and hee that shall come, will come, and will not tary. 38 Nowe the iust shall liue by faith: but if any withdrawe himselfe, my soule shall haue no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not they which withdrawe our selues vnto perdition, but follow faith vnto the conseruation of the soule.