Hebrews 10

1For the law holds only a shadow of the good things to come, not the very form of the things themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered without end each year, make perfect those who approach. 2Otherwise, would the offerings not have come to an end? The worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer carry sins on their conscience. 3Instead, these sacrifices bring sins back to mind every year, 4because the blood of bulls and goats cannot take sins away. 5That is why, as Christ comes into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and offering you did not want, but a body you have made ready for me.” 6“In burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight.” 7“Then I said, ‘See, O God, I have come to do your will, just as the scroll of the book says of me.’” 8First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not want and took no delight in”, though these are the offerings the law prescribes. 9Then he says, “See, I have come to do your will.” He removes the first in order to put the second in its place. 10It is by that will that we have been made holy, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, made once for all.

11Every priest stands at his duties day after day, offering over and over the same sacrifices, and these can never remove sins. 12This priest, though, offered a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time, and then sat down at the right hand of God. 13From then on he is waiting for his enemies to be put under his feet as a footstool. 14By that one offering he has brought those who are being made holy to perfection for all time. 15The Holy Spirit also bears witness to this for us. For after first saying, 16“This is the covenant I will establish with them when those days are past, says the Lord: I will set my laws on their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.” 17Then he adds, “Their sins and their acts of lawlessness I will not call to mind ever again.” 18And once these have been forgiven, no further offering for sin remains to be made.

19So then, brothers and sisters, the blood of Jesus has given us confidence to go into the sanctuary. 20He has opened for us a way that is new and living, a way through the curtain, which is his flesh. 21And we have a great priest who is over the house of God. 22So let us approach with hearts that are true, fully sure in our faith, our hearts sprinkled and cleansed of an evil conscience and our bodies bathed in clean water. 23Let us cling to the confession of our hope without bending, for the one who made the promise is faithful. 24Let us also keep one another in mind, so as to rouse each other to love and good works. 25Let us not walk away from our own gatherings, as some have made it their practice, but keep urging one another on, and do it more and more as you see the day coming closer.

26If we keep on sinning on purpose after we have come to know the truth, there is no sacrifice for sins left for us. 27All that remains is a terrifying prospect of judgment and of a blazing fire that will devour those who oppose God. 28Whoever disregards Moses’ law is put to death without pity, if two or three witnesses testify. 29How much worse, then, do you think is the punishment deserved by someone who has trampled on the Son of God, counted as ordinary the blood of the covenant that made such a person holy, and treated the Spirit of grace with contempt? 30For we know the one who said, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will pay it back,” and who also said, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31Falling into the hands of the living God is a terrifying thing.

32Think back to those earlier days, after you had been enlightened, when you endured a hard contest of suffering. 33At times you were mocked and mistreated in front of everyone; at other times you shared the lot of those who were treated like that. 34You shared in the suffering of those in prison, and when your goods were seized you welcomed it with joy, for you knew that you owned something better, something that lasts. 35So do not let go of your confidence; a great reward comes with it. 36What you need is endurance, so that once you have done God’s will you may obtain the promise. 37For, “In a very short while now, the one who is coming will arrive and will not be slow in coming.” 38“But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he turns back, my soul finds no delight in him.” 39But we are not people who draw back and are lost; we are people of faith, and our lives will be kept safe.