a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 18 For there is verily a setting aside of the former commandment on account of its weakness and unprofitableness. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did ; by which we draw near to God. [1] 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest : 21 For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said to him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek:) [2] 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not allowed to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. [3] 25 Therefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. [4] 26 For such an high priest was befitting for us, who is holy, blameless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. [5]
CHAP. 8.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. [6]
3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices: therefore it is of necessity that this man should have somewhat also to offer.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: [7]
5 Who serve to the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished by God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shown to thee in the mount.
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. [8]
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [9] [10]
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and groweth old is ready to vanish away.
CHAP. 9.
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary. [11]
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, in which was the lampstand, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. [12]
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus prepared, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God .
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Spirit thus signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet revealed, while the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 Which stood only in meats and
- ↑ the bringing...: or, it was the bringing in
- ↑ without...: or, without swearing of an oath
- ↑ an...: or, which passeth not from one to another
- ↑ to the...: or, evermore
- ↑ consecrated: Gr. perfected
- ↑ of the sanctuary: or, of holy things
- ↑ there...: or, they are priests
- ↑ covenant: or, testament
- ↑ put: Gr. give
- ↑ in: or, upon
- ↑ ordinances: or, ceremonies
- ↑ the sanctuary: or, holy
