Now if perfection had been reached through the Levitical priesthood -- for on it as a basis even the law was enacted for the people-- what further need would there have been of appointing a different priest, with the rank of Melchizedek, instead of designating one with the rank of Aaron?

However, if He were still on earth, He would not be a priest at all, because there are those who officiate in accordance with the law in offering the gifts;

For if the first covenant had been faultless, there could have been no room for a second one.

By this the Holy Spirit was showing that there was as yet no access to the real sanctuary while the outer tent was still in existence,

On the other hand, through these sacrifices there is given a real reminder of their sins,

For when these are forgiven, there is no more need of an offering for sin.

For if we go willfully sinning after we have received full knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice left to be offered for our sins,

but without faith it is impossible to please Him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that there is a God and that He gives rewards to all who earnestly try to find Him.

And so there sprang from one man, and that dead as to any prospects for offspring, a people as numberless as the stars in the sky and as the sands beside the seashore.

They were stoned to death, they were tortured to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. With nothing on their bodies but skins of sheep or goats they wandered here and there, destitute, oppressed, mistreated --