1For the priestly law, having only a shadow of the good things that are coming, and not the image of those things, with the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, is never able to make perfect those who come to worship. 2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? For once those who worship had been purified, they would no longer be conscious of sin. 3On the contrary, in offering these sacrifices year by year, there is a remembrance of sins 4Because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5For this reason, when He comes into the world, He says, "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but You have prepared a body for Me. 6You did not delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. 7Then said I, 'Lo, I come (as it is written of Me in the scroll of the book) to do Your will, O God. ' " 8In the saying above, He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin (which are offered according to the priestly law) You did not desire nor delight in"; 9Then He said, "Lo, I come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first covenant in order that He may establish the second covenant; 10By Whose will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11Now every high priest stands ministering day by day, offering the same sacrifices repeatedly, which are never able to remove sins; 12But He, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time, He is waiting until His enemies are placed as a footstool for His feet. 14For by one offering He has obtained eternal perfection for those who are sanctified. 15And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after He had previously said, 16" 'This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days,' says the Lord: 'I will give My laws into their hearts, and I will inscribe them in their minds; 17And their sins and lawlessness I will not remember ever again. ' " 18Now where remission of these is, it is no longer necessary to offer sacrifices for sin. 19Therefore, brethren, having confidence to enter into the true holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which He consecrated for us through the veil (that is, His flesh), 21And having a great High Priest over the house of God, 22Let us approach God with a true heart, with full conviction of faith, our hearts having been purified from a wicked conscience, and our bodies having been washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast without wavering to the hope that we profess, for He Who promised is faithful; 24And let us be concerned about one another, and be stirring up one another unto love and good works; 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, even as some are accustomed to do; but rather, encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 26For if we willfully go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins, 27But a terrifying expectation of inevitable judgment and of fierce fire, which will devour the adversaries of God. 28Consider this: anyone who rejects the law of Moses dies without mercy under the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, as an unholy thing, and has scorned the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him Who has said, " 'Vengeance belongs to Me. I will recompense!' says the Lord." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32But remember the earlier days when, after you were enlightened, you endured much conflict in your sufferings. 33On the one part, you were made a public spectacle by both insults and severe trials; and on the other part, you became companions of those who were enduring the same things. 34For you not only showed compassion to me in my bonds, but also gladly endured the plunder of your possessions, knowing within yourselves that you have a greater and more enduring possession in the heavens. 35For this very reason, do not cast away your confidence, which is bringing a great reward. 36For you need to have endurance, so that, after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. 37For it is but a short time until He Who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38Now it is written, "The just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul does not delight in him." 39But we are not of those who draw back unto destruction; rather, we are of faith unto the saving of the soul. A Faithful Version Copyright © 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 York Publishing Company Post Office Box 1038 Hollister, California 95024-1038 All rights reserved. All Scripture may be freely quoted except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means--electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval systems, or use of hermeneutical conclusions of copyright owner. Bible Hub |