Hebrews 9

1 Then verily the first [covenant] had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein [was] the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

For a tabernacle was prepared. The first room, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the presence, was called the holy place.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

Behind the second curtain was another room, called the most holy place.

4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

It had a golden altar for incense. It also had the ark of the covenant, which was completely overlaid with gold. Inside it was a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we can not now speak particularly.

Above the ark of the covenant, glorious cherubim overshadowed the atonement lid, which we cannot now talk about in detail.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service [of God].

After these things were prepared, the priests always entered the outer room of the tabernacle to perform their services.

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:

But only the high priest entered the second room once each year, and not without blood that he offered for himself and for the people's unintentional sins.

8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

The Holy Spirit showed that the way into the most holy place had not yet appeared as long as the first tabernacle was still 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;

This was an illustration for the present time. Both the gifts and sacrifices that are now being offered are not able to perfect the worshiper's conscience.

10 [Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.

They are only concerned with food and drink and various ceremonial washings, regulations for the body until the time of the new order.

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come. He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that was not made by human hands, one not belonging to this created world.

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us]. (aiōnios g166)

It was not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood that he entered into the most holy place once for all and secured our eternal redemption. (aiōnios g166)

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes on those who have become unclean sets them apart to God for the cleansing of their flesh,

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (aiōnios g166)

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (aiōnios g166)

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (aiōnios g166)

For this reason, he is the mediator of a new covenant. This is so that, since a death has taken place to free those under the first covenant from their sins, those who are called will receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. (aiōnios g166)

16 For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

For where there is a will, the death of the person who made it must be proven.

17 For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

For a will is only in force when there has been a death, because it has no force while the one who made it is still alive.

18 Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood.

So not even the first covenant was established without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

For when Moses had given every command in the law to all the people, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water, red wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people.

20 Saying, This [is] the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Then he said, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you.”

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

In the same manner, he sprinkled the blood on the tabernacle and all the containers used in the service.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

According to the law, almost everything is cleansed with blood. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 [It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in heaven should be cleansed with these animal sacrifices. However, the heavenly things themselves had to be cleansed with much better sacrifices.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

For Christ did not enter into the most holy place made with hands, which is only a copy of the true one. Instead he entered into heaven itself, to appear now in God's presence for us.

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

He did not go there in order to offer himself many times, as does the high priest, who enters the most holy place year by year with the blood of another.

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (aiōn g165)

If that had been the case, then he would have had to suffer many times since the beginning of the world. But now he has appeared at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. (aiōn g165)

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that comes judgment,

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

so also, Christ was offered once to take away the sins of many, and will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but for the salvation of those who are waiting for him.