The Earthly Tabernacle
(Exodus 40:1–33; Acts 7:44–47)

1Therefore also indeed, the first† had ordinances of sacred service and a worldly sanctuary. 2For a tabernacle was prepared, the first room in which were both the lampstand and the table, and the loaves of the presentation,† which is called “Holy.” 3Now behind the second veil was a tabernacle, being called “Holy of Holies,”† 4having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant having been covered around in every part with gold, in which was the golden jar having the manna, and the staff of Aaron having budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5And far above it were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat†—concerning which it is not now time to speak particularly.

6Now these things having been prepared thus, indeed the priests enter into the first tabernacle at all times, accomplishing the sacred services, 7but only the high priest into the second, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of ignorance of the people.

8By this the Holy Spirit was making clear that the way into the holy places† had not yet been made manifest, the first tabernacle still having a standing, 9which is a parable for the present time, in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, not being able to make perfect in regard to conscience the one doing sacred service, 10consisting only in foods and drinks and various washings—ordinances† of the flesh being imposed until the time of reformation.

Redemption through His Blood

11But Christ, having come as high priest of the good things coming,† through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not of this creation, 12nor by blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered once for all into the holy places, having obtained eternal redemption.

13For if the blood of goats and of bulls† and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the ones having been defiled sanctify them for the purification of the flesh, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit† offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our† conscience from dead works, in order to serve the living God!

15And because of this, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions upon the first covenant, those having been called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

16For where there is a covenant,† there is a necessity to bring forth the death of the one having made it. 17For a covenant is firm upon death, since it is not in force at the time when the one having made it is living, 18wherefore neither has the first been inaugurated without blood. 19For on every commandment having been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, having taken the blood of calves and of goats,† with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, he sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, 20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God commanded to you⁺.”†

21And likewise he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the sacred service with blood. 22And almost all things are purified with blood according to the law, and without blood-shedding there is no forgiveness.

23Therefore there was a necessity indeed for the representations of the things in the heavens to be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ entered not into holy places made by hands, copies of the true ones, but into heaven itself, now to appear for us in the presence of God, 25nor that He should offer Himself many times, just as the high priest enters into the holy places every year with the blood of another. 26Otherwise it was necessary for Him to have suffered many times from the foundation of the world. But now He has been revealed once in the consummation of the ages for the putting away of sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

27And inasmuch as it is apportioned to men to die once, and after this, judgment, 28so also Christ, having been offered once in order to bear the sins of many, will appear for a second time, apart from sin, to those eagerly awaiting Him for salvation.

Footnotes:

1 Or the first covenant; also in verse 18
2 Or the consecrated bread
3 Or the Most Holy Place
5 Or atonement cover
8 Or the Holy Place; also in verses 12 and 25
10 BYZ and TR washings and ordinances.
11 BYZ and TR that are to come
13 BYZ and TR of bulls and goats
14 F35 the Holy Spirit
14 BYZ and TR your
16 Or a will; also in verse 17.
19 SBL does not include and of goats.
20 Exodus 24:8