Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice

1For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

2If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.

3Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,

4because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.

6In ascension offerings ⁵¹and purification offerings You took no delight.

7Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” ⁵²

8In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, ascension offerings and purification offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law).

9Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.

10And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

12But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.

13Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,

14because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

15The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:

16“This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.” ⁵³

17Then He adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” ⁵⁴

18And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.

A Call to Persevere

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place ⁵⁵by the blood of Jesus,

20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, ⁵⁶

21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

24And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.

25Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

26If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,

27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

30For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” ⁵⁷and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ⁵⁸

31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32Remember the early days that you were in the light. ⁵⁹In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering.

33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.

34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

35So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.

36You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

37For,
“In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.

38But My righteous one will live by faith; ⁶⁰and if he shrinks back,
I will take no pleasure in him.” ⁶¹

39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their lives.