Hebrews:9

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* Then indeed , even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary . * For a tabernacle was prepared : the first part , in which was the lampstand , the table , and the showbread , which is called the sanctuary ; * and behind the second veil , the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All , * which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold , in which were the golden pot that had the manna , Aaron 's rod that budded , and the tablets of the covenant ; * and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat . Of these things we cannot now speak in detail . * Now when these things had been thus prepared , the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle , performing the services . * But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year , not without blood , which he offered for himself and for the people 's sins committed in ignorance ; * the Holy Spirit indicating this , that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing . * It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience -- * concerned only with foods and drinks , various washings , and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation . * But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come , with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands , that is , not of this creation . * Not with the blood of goats and calves , but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all , having obtained eternal redemption . * For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer , sprinkling the unclean , sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh , * how much more shall the blood of Christ , who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God , cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God ? * And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant , by means of death , for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant , that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance . * For where there is a testament , there must also of necessity be the death of the testator . * For a testament is in force after men are dead , since it has no power at all while the testator lives . * Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood . * For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law , he took the blood of calves and goats , with water , scarlet wool , and hyssop , and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people , * saying , "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you ." * Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry . * And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood , and without shedding of blood there is no remission . * Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these , but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these . * For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands , which are copies of the true , but into heaven itself , now to appear in the presence of God for us ; * not that He should offer Himself often , as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another -- * He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world ; but now , once at the end of the ages , He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself . * And as it is appointed for men to die once , but after this the judgment , * so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many . To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time , apart from sin , for salvation .

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