1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a ^utent¹ was prepared, the first section, in which were the ^vlampstand and the ^wtable and the ^xbread of the Presence.² It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section³ called the ^yMost Holy Place, 4 having the ^zgolden altar of incense and the ^aark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the ^bmanna, and ^cAaron’s staff that ^dbudded, and the ^etablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the ^fcherubim of glory overshadowing the ^gmercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 These preparations having thus been made, ^hthe priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but ⁱonce a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers ^jfor himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the ^kway into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age).⁴ According to this arrangement, ^lgifts and sacrifices are offered ^mthat cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

11 But when Christ appeared as a ⁿhigh priest of the ^ogood things that have come,⁵ then through the greater and more perfect ^ptent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he ^qentered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and ^rthe sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify⁶ for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered ^shimself without blemish to God, ^tpurify our^{7 u}conscience from ^vdead works to serve the living God.