Hebrews 9

1 [Even] the first, indeed, therefore, used to have righteous appointments of divine service, even the holy ritual well arranged.

It is true that even the first covenant had its regulations for divine worship, and its sanctuary – though only a material one.

2 For a tent was prepared, the first, in which were both the lampstand and the table and the setting forth of the loaves, —the which is called the Holy place;

For a tent was constructed, with an outer part which contained the stand for the lamps, and the table, and the consecrated bread. This is called the sanctuary.

3 But, after the second veil, a tent, that which is called Most Holy:

The part of the tent behind the second curtain is called the inner sanctuary.

4 Having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant covered around on every side with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and the rod of Aaron that sprouted, and the tables of the covenant;

In it is the gold incense-altar, and the ark containing the covenant, completely covered with gold. In the ark is a gold casket containing the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets on which the covenant was written;

5 But, over-above it, Cherubim of glory overshadowing the propitiatory: —concerning which things, it is not now [needful] to be speaking, particularly.

while above it, and overshadowing the cover on which atonement was made, are the cherubim of the presence. Now is not the time to discuss these things in detail.

6 Now, these things having been thus prepared, into the first tent, indeed, continually do the priests enter, the divine services completing;

Such, then, was the arrangement of the tent. Into the outer part priests are constantly going, in the discharge of their sacred duties;

7 But, into the second, once for all in the year, only the high-priest, not without blood, which he offered for himself and the ignorances of the people:

but into the inner only the high priest goes, and that but once a year, and never without taking the blood of a victim, which he offers on his own behalf, and on behalf of the errors of the people.

8 The Holy Spirit making this evident—that, not yet, hath been manifested, the way through the Holy place, so long as the first tent hath a standing.

By this the Holy Spirit is teaching that the way into the sanctuary was hidden, as long as the outer part of the tent still remained.

9 The which is a similitude for the present season, according to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, as to the conscience, perfect him that rendereth the divine service: —

For that was only a type, to continue down to the present time; and, in keeping with it, both gifts and sacrifices are offered, though incapable of satisfying the conscience of the worshiper;

10 Only as to eatings, and drinkings, and diversified immersions, —righteous-appointments of the flesh, which, until a season of rectifying, are in force.

the whole system being concerned only with food and drink and various ablutions – external ceremonials imposed until the coming of the new order.

11 But, when Christ approached, as high-priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tent, not made by hand, that is, not of this creation, —

But, when Christ came, he appeared as high priest of that better system which was established; and he entered through that nobler and more perfect tent, not made by human hands – that is to say, not a part of this present creation.

12 Nor yet through blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood he entered once for all into the Holy place, age-abiding redemption discovering. (aiōnios g166)

Nor was it with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, that he entered, once and for all, into the sanctuary, and obtained our eternal deliverance. (aiōnios g166)

13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the profaned, halloweth unto the purity of the flesh,

For, if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, purify those who have been defiled (as far as ceremonial purification goes),

14 How much rather shall the blood of the Christ, who through an age-abiding spirit offered himself unspotted unto God, purify our conscience from dead works, to the rendering of divine-service, unto a Living God? (aiōnios g166)

how much more will the blood of the Christ, who, through his eternal Spirit, offered himself up to God, as a victim without blemish, purify our consciences from a lifeless formality, and fit us for the service of the living God! (aiōnios g166)

15 And, for this cause, of a new covenant, is he mediator, —to the end that, death coming to pass for the redemption of the transgressions against the first covenant, the called might receive the promise of the age-abiding inheritance; (aiōnios g166)

And that is why he is the intermediary of a new covenant; in order that, as a death has taken place to effect a deliverance from the offenses committed under the first covenant, those who have received the call may obtain the eternal inheritance promised to them. (aiōnios g166)

16 For, where a covenant is, it is necessary for, the death, to be brought in, of him that hath covenanted;

Whenever such a covenant as a will is in question, the death of the testator must of necessity be alleged.

17 For, a covenant over dead persons, is firm, —since it is not then of force when he is living that hath covenanted.

For such a covenant takes effect only on death, it does not come into force as long as the testator is alive.

18 Whence, not even the first, apart from blood, hath been consecrated;

This explains why even the first covenant was not ratified without the shedding of blood.

19 For, when every commandment according to the law had been spoken by Moses unto all the people, taking the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, both, the scroll itself, and all the people, he sprinkled;

For, when every command had been announced to all the people by Moses in accordance with the Law, he took the blood of the calves and of the goats, with water, scarlet wool, and a bunch of hyssop, and sprinkled even the book of the Law, as well as all the people,

20 Saying—This, is the blood of the covenant which, God, hath sent in command unto you:

saying, as he did so – “This is the blood that renders valid the covenant which God has commanded to be made with you.”

21 Yea, the tent also, and all the utensils of the public ministry, with blood, in like manner, he sprinkled:

And in the same way he also sprinkled with the blood the tent and all the things that were used in public worship.

22 And, nearly, all things, with blood, are purified, according to the law, and, apart from blood-shedding, cometh no remission.

Indeed, under the Law, almost everything is purified with blood; and, unless blood is shed, no forgiveness is to be obtained.

23 It was indeed therefore necessary for the glimpses of the things in the heavens with these to be purified; but, the heavenly things themselves, with better sacrifices than these.

While, then, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly realities to be purified by such means as these, the heavenly realities themselves required better sacrifices.

24 For, not into a Holy place made by hand, entered Christ, —counterpart of the real [Holy place]; but, into the heaven itself, now, to be plainly manifested before the face of God in our behalf; —

For it was not into a sanctuary made by human hands, which merely foreshadowed the true one, that Christ entered, but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

25 Nor yet that, ofttimes, he should be offering himself, —just as the high-priest entereth into the Holy place, year by year, with alien blood; —

Nor yet was it to offer himself may times, as year after year the high priest entered the sanctuary with an offering of blood – but not his own blood;

26 Else had it been needful for him, ofttimes, to suffer, from the foundation of the world; but, now, once for all, upon a conjunction of the ages, for a setting aside of sin through means of his sacrifice, hath he been made manifest; (aiōn g165)

for then Christ would have had to undergo death many times since the creation of the world. But now, once and for all, at the close of the age, he has appeared, in order to abolish sin by the sacrifice of himself. (aiōn g165)

27 And, inasmuch as it is in store for men—once for all to die, but after this, judgment,

And, as it is ordained for people to die but once (death being followed by judgment),

28 Thus, the Christ also, once for all having been offered, for the bearing of the sins, of many, a second time, apart from sin, will appear, to them who for him are ardently waiting—unto salvation.

so it is with the Christ. He was offered up once and for all, to bear away the sins of many; and the second time he will appear – but without any burden of sin – to those who are waiting for him, to bring salvation.