To the Hebrews 10:1-39

  • Animal sacrifices ineffectual (1-4)

    • Law, a shadow (1)

  • Christ’s sacrifice once for all time (5-18)

  • A new and living way of entry (19-25)

    • Not forsaking our meeting together (24, 25)

  • Warning against willful sin (26-31)

  • Confidence and faith to endure (32-39)

10  For since the Law has a shadow+ of the good things to come,+ but not the very substance of the things, it* can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make those who approach perfect.+  Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have stopped being offered, because those rendering sacred service once cleansed would have no consciousness of sins anymore?  On the contrary, these sacrifices are a reminder of sins year after year,+  for it is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take sins away.  So when he comes into the world, he says: “‘Sacrifice and offering you did not want, but you prepared a body for me.  You did not approve of whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.’+  Then I said: ‘Look! I have come (in the scroll* it is written about me) to do your will, O God.’”+  After first saying: “You did not want nor did you approve of sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sin offerings”—sacrifices that are offered according to the Law—  then he says: “Look! I have come to do your will.”+ He does away with what is first in order to establish what is second. 10  By this “will”+ we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.+ 11  Also, every priest takes his station day after day to offer holy service*+ and to make the same sacrifices often,+ which can never take sins away completely.+ 12  But this man offered one sacrifice for sins for all time and sat down at the right hand of God,+ 13  from then on waiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.+ 14  For it is by one sacrificial offering that he has made those who are being sanctified perfect+ for all time. 15  Moreover, the holy spirit also bears witness to us, for after it has said: 16  “‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,’ says Jehovah.* ‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them.’”+ 17  Then it says: “And I will no longer call their sins and their lawless deeds to mind.”+ 18  Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19  Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness* for the way of entry into the holy place+ by the blood of Jesus, 20  which he opened up* for us as a new and living way through the curtain,+ that is, his flesh, 21  and since we have a great priest over the house of God,+ 22  let us approach with sincere hearts and complete faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from a wicked conscience+ and our bodies bathed with clean water.+ 23  Let us hold firmly the public declaration of our hope without wavering,+ for the one who promised is faithful. 24  And let us consider* one another so as to incite* to love and fine works,+ 25  not forsaking our meeting together,+ as some have the custom, but encouraging one another,+ and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.+ 26  For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth,+ there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left,+ 27  but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a burning indignation that is going to consume those in opposition.+ 28  Anyone who has disregarded the Law of Moses dies without compassion on the testimony of two or three.+ 29  How much greater punishment do you think a person will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God and who has regarded as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant+ by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt?+ 30  For we know the One who said: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again: “Jehovah* will judge his people.”+ 31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32  However, keep remembering the former days in which, after you were enlightened,+ you endured a great struggle along with sufferings. 33  At times you were publicly exposed* both to reproaches and to tribulations, and at times you shared* with those who were having such an experience. 34  For you expressed sympathy for those in prison and you accepted joyfully the plundering of your belongings,+ knowing that you yourselves have a better and an enduring possession.+ 35  Therefore, do not throw away your boldness,* which will be richly rewarded.+ 36  For you need endurance,+ so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. 37  For yet “a very little while,”+ and “the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay.”+ 38  “But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,”+ and “if he shrinks back, I have* no pleasure in him.”+ 39  Now we are not the sort who shrink back to destruction,+ but the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.*

Footnotes

Or possibly, “men.”
Lit., “in the scroll of the book.”
Or “to perform public service.”
Or “confidence.”
Lit., “inaugurated.”
Or “be concerned about; pay attention to.”
Or “motivate; stir up.”
Lit., “were exposed as in a theater.”
Or “stood side by side.”
Lit., “freeness of speech.”
Or “my soul has.”
Or “souls.”