And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham.

So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood -- for on that basis the people received the law -- what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron's order?

Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever officiated at the altar.

For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.

For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.

a minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.

The place where they serve is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, just as Moses was warned by God as he was about to complete the tabernacle. For he says, "See that you make everything according to the design shown to you on the mountain."

But now Jesus has obtained a superior ministry, since the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted on better promises.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, no one would have looked for a second one.

"It will not be like the covenant that I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant and I had no regard for them, says the Lord.

"For this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and I will inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God and they will be my people.

It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. In this ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing.

This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,

And so he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, since he died to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.

and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded you to keep."

And he did not enter to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the sanctuary year after year with blood that is not his own,

And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again -- sacrifices that can never take away sins.

"This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws on their hearts and I will inscribe them on their minds,"

by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.

And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.

but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume God's enemies.

How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for the Son of God, and profanes the blood of the covenant that made him holy, and insults the Spirit of grace?

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.

For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison, and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainly had a better and lasting possession.

By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God's command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God.

Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth.

For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

and he reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there.

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,

Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.

Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled.

And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.

For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.

For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind

and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more.

In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, "I shudder with fear."

and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel's does.

Now this phrase "once more" indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain.

We have an altar that those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat from.

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect.

I especially ask you to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.

You should know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon, he will be with me when I see you.

because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,

Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.

By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom.

You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that -- and tremble with fear.

But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless?

You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works.

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.

And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you?

Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world's friend makes himself God's enemy.

Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, "The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning"?

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit."

You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.

You ought to say instead, "If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that."

Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you.

Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure!

Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates!

Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job's endurance and you have seen the Lord's purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.

Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months!

he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you,

Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold -- gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away -- and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully.

They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven -- things angels long to catch a glimpse of.

Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed -- not by perishable things like silver or gold,

but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.

Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation,

you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.