1. Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary.
2. For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place.
3. After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies,
4. having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
5. and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can’t speak now in detail.
6. Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services,
7. but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people.
8. The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn’t yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing;
9. which is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper perfect;
10. being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.
11. But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation,
12. nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
13. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh:
14. how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?