1FOR THE LAW CONTAINS but a shadow, and no true image, of the good things which were to come; it provides for the same sacrifices year after year, and with these it can never bring the worshippers to perfection for all time. 2If it could, these sacrifices would surely have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, cleansed once for all, would no longer have any sense of sin. 3But instead, in these sacrifices year after year sins are brought to mind, 4because sins can never be removed by the blood of bulls and goats.
5 [ Ps.40.6-8. ] That is why, at his coming into the world, he says:
11Every priest stands performing his service daily and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never remove sins. 12 [ Ps.110.1. ] But Christ offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat at the right hand of God, 13 [ Ps.110.1. ] where he waits henceforth until his enemies are made his footstool. 14For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are thus consecrated. 15Here we have also the testimony of the Holy Spirit: he first says, 16 [ Jr.31.33. ] 'This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will set my laws in their hearts and write them on their understanding'; 17 [ Jr.31.34. ] then he adds, 'and their sins and wicked deeds I will remember no more at all.' 18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any offering for sin.
19SO NOW, MY FRIENDS, the blood of Jesus makes us free to enter boldly into the sanctuary 20by the new, living way which he has opened for us through the curtain, the way of his flesh. 21We have, moreover, a great priest set over the household of God; 22so let us make our approach in sincerity of heart and full assurance of faith, our guilty hearts sprinkled clean, our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us be firm and unswerving in the confession of our hope, for the Giver of the promise may be trusted. 24We ought to see how each of us may best arouse others to love and active goodness, 25not staying away from our meetings, as some do, but rather encouraging one another, all the more because you see the Day drawing near.
26For if we persist in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remains: 27only a terrifying expectation of judgement and a fierce fire which will consume God's enemies. 28 [ Dt.17.6, Dt.19.15. ] If a man disregards the Law of Moses, he is put to death without pity on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29Think how much more severe a penalty that man will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was consecrated, and affronted God's gracious Spirit! 30 [ Dt.32.35. ] For we know who it is that has said, 'Justice is mine: I will repay'; and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' 31It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32Remember the days gone by, when, newly enlightened, you met the challenge of great sufferings and held firm. 33Some of you were abused and tormented to make a public show, while others stood loyally by those who were so treated. 34For indeed you shared the sufferings of the prisoners, and you cheerfully accepted the seizure of your possessions, knowing that you possessed something better and more lasting. 35Do not then throw away your confidence, for it carries a great reward. 36You need endurance, if you are to do God's will and win what he has promised. 37 [ Hab.2.3-4, Is.26.20. ] For 'soon, very soon' (in the words of Scripture), 'he who is to come will come; he will not delay;
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