Hebrews 9:1-10 - The Earthly Ministry Of The Old Covenant

¹ The first alliance then had rites of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ² for the disposition of the tabernacle was such, that in the first part named the sanctuary, were placed the candlestick, the table, and the shew-bread; ³ and beyond the veil, was the second part of the tabernacle which is called the holy of holys; ⁴ there was the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant gilded all over with gold, wherein was the golden urn containing the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the alliance. ⁵ over the ark were the cherubims of glory covering the propitiatory with their wings, of which we cannot now enter into a particular detail.

⁶ These things being thus disposed, the priests went at all times into the first part of the tabernacle, to officiate the divine service. but into the other part, ⁷ the high priest only enter'd, and that but once every year, when he carried the blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people. ⁸ the holy spirit showing thereby, that the way to the holy of holys, was not yet open, while the first tabernacle was standing. ⁹ This type subsists to the present time, both gifts and sacrifices being still offered, which cannot purify the mind of him that officiates ¹⁰ only in matters relating to meats and drinks, and divers baptisms, meer external rites which were to subsist only till the time of reformation.