1 For the law having a shadow of the good things that were to come, not the very likeness of the things, could not by the sacrifices which they offered continually every year perfect the offerers; 2 if they could, would they not have ceased to be offered, because those serving would have had no longer a knowledge of sins, having been once purified? 3 But in them there was a remembrance of sins, year by year; 4 for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore, coming into the world, he says, A sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, but a body didst thou prepare me. 6 Whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou wast not pleased with; 7 then I said, Behold, I come,??n the volume of the book it is written of me,??o do thy will, O God.
8 Saying before, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou didst not desire and wast not pleased with, which are offered according to the law, 9 then he said, Behold, I come to do thy will. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second, 10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.
11 And every priest stood daily performing service and presenting often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but this [priest] having offered one sacrifice forever for sins, sat down on the right hand of God, 13 henceforth waiting till his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has perfected forever the sanctified. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies [this] to us; for after it had said before,
16 This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days, the Lord says, I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds will I write them,
17 and their sins and transgressions will I remember no more.
18 But where there is a forgiveness of these, an offering for sin is no longer required.
19 HAVING therefore, brothers, confidence in respect to the entrance into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 which [entrance] he consecrated for us a new and living way through the vail, that is his flesh, 21 and [having] a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in a full assurance of faith, sprinkled in heart from an evil conscience, and washed in body with pure water, 23 let us hold firmly the profession of the faith, without declining; for he is faithful that promised; 24 and let us observe one another for a provocation of love and of good works, 25 not forsaking our own congregation as some are in the habit of [doing], but exhorting [others], and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin willingly after having received the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice left for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which is about to consume the adversaries. 28 Any one who despised the law of Moses died without mercy by two or three witnesses; 29 of how much greater punishment do you suppose he will be thought worthy, who has trodden down the Son of God, and accounted defiled the blood of the covenant with which he was purified, and treated injuriously the Spirit of grace. 30 For we know him that said, Judgment belongs to me, I will repay. And again, The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is fearful to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But remember the former days, in which having been enlightened you endured a great conflict with sufferings, 33 partly in being made a spectacle by reproaches and afflictions, and partly being companions of those so treated. 34 For you sympathized with those in bonds, and received with joy the plunder of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession, and one that endures. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of patience, that having done the will of God you may receive the promise.
37 For yet a very little while, and he that is to come will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he draws back my soul takes no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of faith to the saving of the soul.