Hebræos 8
1 Capitulum autem super ea, quæ dicuntur: Talem habemus Pontificem, qui consedit in dextera sedis magnitudinis in cælis,
To sum up what I have been saying: Such is the high priest that we have, one who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God’s Majesty in heaven,
2 sanctorum minister, et tabernaculi veri, quod fixit Dominus, et non homo.
where he serves in the sanctuary, in that true tent set up by the Lord and not by man.
3 Omnis enim pontifex ad offerendum munera, et hostias constituitur: unde necesse est et hunc habere aliquid, quod offerat:
Every high priest is appointed for the purpose of offering gifts and sacrifices to God; it follows, therefore, that this high priest must have some offering to make.
4 si ergo esset super terram, nec esset sacerdos: cum essent qui offerent secundum legem munera,
If he were, however, still on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts as the Law directs.
5 qui exemplari, et umbræ deserviunt cælestium. Sicut responsum est Moysi, cum consummaret tabernaculum: Vide (inquit) omnia facito secundum exemplar, quod tibi ostensum est in monte.
(These priests, it is true, are engaged in a service which is only a copy and shadow of the heavenly realities, as is shown by the directions given to Moses when he was about to construct the tent. “Look to it,” are the words, “that you make every part in accordance with the pattern shown you on the mountain.”)
6 Nunc autem melius sortitus est ministerium, quanto et melioris testamenti mediator est, quod in melioribus repromissionibus sancitum est.
But Jesus, as we see, has obtained a ministry as far excelling theirs, as the covenant of which he is the intermediary, based, as it is, on better promises, excels the former covenant.
7 Nam si illud prius culpa vacasset: non utique secundi locus inquireretur.
If that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second.
8 Vituperans enim eos dicit: Ecce dies venient, dicit Dominus: et consummabo super domum Israel, et super domum Iuda testamentum novum,
But, finding fault with the people, God says – “‘A time is coming,’ says the Lord, ‘When I will ratify a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah –
9 non secundum testamentum, quod feci patribus eorum in die, qua apprehendi manum eorum ut educerem illos de Terra Ægypti: quoniam ipsi non permanserunt in testamento meo: et ego neglexi eos, dicit Dominus:
Not such a covenant as I made with their ancestors on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not abide by their covenant with me, and therefore I disregarded them,’ says the Lord.
10 Quia hoc est testamentum, quod disponam domui Israel post dies illos, dicit Dominus: Dando leges meas in mentem eorum, et in corde eorum superscribam eas: et ero eis in Deum, et ipsi erunt mihi in populum:
‘This is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel after those days,’ says the Lord. ‘I will impress my laws on their minds, and will inscribe them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
11 et non docebit unusquisque proximum suum, et unusquisque fratrem suum, dicens: Cognosce Dominum: quoniam omnes scient me a minore usque ad maiorem eorum:
There will be no need for anyone to instruct their fellow citizen, or for a person to say to their relatives “Learn to know the Lord”; for everyone will know me, from the lowest to the highest.
12 quia propitius ero iniquitatibus eorum, et peccatorum eorum iam non memorabor.
For I will be merciful to their wrongdoings, and I will no longer remember their sins.’”
13 Dicendo autem novum: veteravit prius. Quod autem antiquatur, et senescit, prope interitum est.
By speaking of a new covenant, God at once renders the former covenant obsolete; and whatever becomes obsolete and loses its force is virtually annulled.
