Hebrews 10

Concluding Exposition: Old and New Sacrifices Contrasted

1 For the law possesses a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself, and is therefore completely unable, by the same sacrifices offered continually, year after year, to perfect those who come to worship.t2 For otherwise would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers would have been purified once for all and so havet no further consciousness of sin?3 But in those sacrificest there is a reminder of sins year after year.4 For the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins.t

5 So when he came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.

6 “Whole burnt offerings and sin-offerings you took no delight in.

7 “Then I said, ‘Here I am:tI have come – it is written of me in the scroll of the book – to do your will, O God.’”s
8 When he says above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sin-offeringsyou did not desire nor did you take delight in them”s (which are offered according to the law),9 then he says, “Here I am:I have come to do your will.”s He does away witht the first to establish the second.10 By his willt we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest stands day after dayt serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again – sacrifices that can never take away sins.12 But when this priestt had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, he sat down at the right hands of God,13 where he is now waitingtuntil his enemies are made a footstool for his feet.s14 For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.15 And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us, for after saying,t16 “This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord. I will puttmy laws on their hearts and I will inscribe them on their minds,”s17 then he says,t “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no longer.”s

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Drawing Near to God in Enduring Faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters,t since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,20 by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated for ust through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,s21 and since we have a great priestt over the house of God,22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings,t because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil consciences and our bodies washed in pure water.23 And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.24 And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works,t

25 not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the days drawing near.t
26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us,t27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a furytsof fire that will consume God’s enemies.ts28 Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to deatht without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.s29 How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt fort the Son of God, and profanest the blood of the covenant that made him holy,t and insults the Spirit of grace?30 For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,”s and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”s

31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened.33 At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way.34 For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison,s and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainlyt had a better and lasting possession.35 So do not throw away your confidence, because itt has great reward.36 For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.t37 For just a little longers and he who is coming will arrive and not delay.s38 But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, Ittake no pleasure in him.s

39 But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls.t

HEBREWS 10

1 The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn't the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices.

3-4 But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. It only reminds people of their sins from one year to the next.

5  t When Christ came into the world, he said to God,
“Sacrifices and offerings
are not what you want,
but you have given me
my body.

6 No, you are not pleased
with animal sacrifices
and offerings for sin.”

7 Then Christ said,
“And so, my God,
I have come to do
what you want,
as the Scriptures say.”
8 The Law teaches that offerings and sacrifices must be made because of sin. But why did Christ mention these things and say that God did not want them? 9 Well, it was to do away with offerings and sacrifices and to replace them. This is what he meant by saying to God, “I have come to do what you want.”

10 So we are made holy because Christ obeyed God and offered himself once for all.
11  t The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 t But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God's right side, t 13 and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power.

14 By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.

15 The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said,

16  t “When the time comes,
I will make an agreement
with them.
I will write my laws
on their minds and hearts.

17  t Then I will forget
about their sins
and no longer remember
their evil deeds.”

18 When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.

Encouragement and Warning

20 by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.
21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God's house. 22 t So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. 23 We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. 24 We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things.

25 Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.
26 No sacrifices can be made for people who decide to sin after they find out about the truth. 27 t They are God's enemies, and all they can look forward to is a terrible judgment and a furious fire. 28 t If two or more witnesses accused someone of breaking the Law of Moses, that person could be put to death. 29 t But it is much worse to dishonor God's Son and to disgrace the blood of the promise that made us holy. And it is just as bad to insult the Holy Spirit, who shows us mercy. 30 t We know that God has said he will punish and take revenge. We also know that the Scriptures say the Lord will judge his people.

31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
32 Don't forget all the hard times you went through when you first received the light. 33 Sometimes you were abused and mistreated in public, and at other times you shared in the sufferings of others.

34 You were kind to people in jail. And you gladly let your possessions be taken away, because you knew you had something better, something that would last forever.
35 Keep on being brave! It will bring you great rewards. 36 Learn to be patient, so you will please God and be given what he has promised.

37 t As the Scriptures say,
“God is coming soon!
It won't be very long.

38 The people God accepts
will live because
of their faith.t
But he isn't pleased
with anyone
who turns back.”
39 We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved.