Chapter 38

(20)Moreover, forasmuch as he was not _made priest_ without an oath, (21)(for they indeed were made priests without an oath; but he with an oath, by him who said unto him, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:") (22)by so much is Jesus become the surety of a better testament.

(23)And they indeed are many who were made priests, because by death they were prevented from abiding _in their office_: (24)but this person, because he abideth for ever, hath a priesthood that passeth not over to another. (25)Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost those who come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (26)For such an high-priest was suitable to us, holy, inoffensive, spotless, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens: (27)who hath not daily need, as the high-priests, first, to offer sacrifice for their own sins, afterwards, for those of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. (28)For the law constitutes men high-priests, though they have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which is since the law, constitutes the Son, unto eternity completely perfect.

CHAP. VIII.

NOW the summary of the things spoken is this: we have such an high-priest, who hath taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens; (2)a minister of the holies, and of the true tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched, and not man. (3)For every high-priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this person also have somewhat to offer. (4)For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, there being priests who offer gifts according to the law; (5)who perform the service after the figure and shadow of things in the heavens, as Moses was divinely instructed, when he was about to finish the tabernacle. "For see," saith God, "that thou make all things according to the model shewed thee on the mount[135]." (6)But now hath Christ obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been established on better promises.

(7)For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second. (8)For finding fault with them, he saith, "Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord; and I will accomplish for the house of Israel and for the house of Judah a new covenant: (9)not according to that covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I laid hold upon their hand to lead them up out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I took no longer care of them, saith the Lord. (10)For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their understanding, even on their hearts will I inscribe them: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. (11)And they shall no more teach every man his neighbour, and every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me from the mean man of them unto the great among them. (12)For I will be placable to their unrighteousnesses and their sins, and their iniquities I will never more remember[136]." (13)In calling it a new covenant, he hath made the first antiquated. Now what is antiquated and grown aged, is near evanescence.

CHAP. IX.

THEN also the first tabernacle had indeed regulations for the divine service, and a sanctuary furnished. (2)For the tabernacle was prepared; the first part, in which was both the candlestick, and the table, and the shew-bread, which is called the holy. (3)But behind the second vail was the tabernacle, called the holy of holies: (4)having the golden censer, and the coffer of the covenant, overlaid with gold within and without, in which were the golden urn containing the manna, and Aaron's rod which had budded, and the stone tables of the covenant; (5)and above, over it the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the propitiatory. (6)Now when these things were thus disposed, the priests entered continually into the first tabernacle indeed, performing the divine services: (7)but into the second once in every year entered the high-priest alone, not without blood, which he offered for his own inadvertencies, and for those of the people: (8)the Holy Ghost thus signifying, that the way into the holies was not yet made manifest, whilst the first tabernacle held its station; (9)which figurative representation _continues_ unto the present time, according to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, with respect to conscience, make him perfect who performs the services, (10)as they consist only of meats, and drinks, and different ablutions, and corporal services, until the appointed time of perfect reformation.

(11)But Christ becoming the high-priest of future good things, through a better and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation; (12)nor by the blood of goats and of calves, but by his own blood, he entered once for all into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption.

(13)For if the blood of bulls, and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the defiled sanctifieth to corporal purification, (14)how much more shall the blood of Christ, who, by the eternal Spirit, offered up himself in sacrifice without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, that we may perform divine service to the living God?

(15)And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that, death being suffered for the redemption of transgressions committed against the first testament, they who are called might receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. (16)For where a testament is, of necessity the death of the testator is implied. (17)For a testament is valid when men are dead; for else it is of no efficacy whilst the testator is alive. (18)Wherefore also that first testament was not consecrated without blood. (19)For when every command according to the law had been spoken by Moses to all the people, taking the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, (20)saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. (21)And the tabernacle also, and all the vessels employed in the divine service, he in like manner sprinkled with blood. (22)And almost all things are purified by blood according to the law, and without effusion of blood there is no remission of sin. (23)There was a necessity therefore that the representations of the things in heaven should be purified by these; but the celestial things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (24)For Christ is not entered into the holies made with hands, the antitypes of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the presence of God for us: (25)and not that he should often offer up himself in sacrifice, as the high-priest enters every year into the holies with blood not his own, (26)(for in that case he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world:) but now once for all at the consummation of the ages hath he been manifested for the abolishing sin by the sacrifice of himself. (27)And forasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment, (28)so Christ having been once offered in sacrifice to bear the sins of men, will appear the second time without sin, to those who expect him, for their salvation.

CHAP. X.

NOW the law, having a shadow of the good things which were to come, not the very substance of the things, cannot possibly, by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those perfect who approach _God_; (2)else they would have discontinued to make the offering, because they who performed the service being once made clean, would have had no more sense of sins on their conscience. (3)But in these _sacrifices_ there is a commemoration of sins every year. (4)For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin. (5)Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and oblation thou hast not chosen, but thou hast exactly fashioned a body for me: (6)thou hast had no delight in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin: (7)then I said, Here am I; (in the volume of the book it is written of me) I come to do thy will, O God[137]." (8)Having said before that sacrifice, and oblation, and whole burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou hast not chosen, nor takest pleasure in, (which are offered according to the law,) (9)he then added, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He abolishes the first that he may establish the second. (10)By the which will we are sanctified through the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.

(11)And every priest standeth indeed daily performing the divine service, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which cannot possibly take away sins: (12)but this person, having offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever hath seated himself at the right hand of God; (13)henceforth waiting till his enemies be put as a footstool for his feet. (14)For by one oblation he hath made those perfect for ever who are sanctified.

(15)Now the Holy Ghost also beareth this testimony to us: for after declaring before, (16)"This is the testament which I will appoint to them after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their hearts, even on their minds will I inscribe them;" (17)_he adds,_ "and their sins and their iniquities I will in no wise remember any more." (18)Now where there is remission of these, no more offering for sin _is needed_.

(19)Having therefore, brethren, entire liberty of entrance into the holies by the blood of Jesus--(20)a way, which he hath consecrated for us, newly opened, and giving life, through the vail, that is, his flesh; (21)and having a great priest over the house of God, (22)let us come to him with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and the body washed with pure water: (23)let us hold fast the profession of hope unwavering, (for he who promises is faithful.) (24)and let us attentively observe one another, to excite an ardour of love and of good works: (25)not deserting the assembling of ourselves together, as is the custom with some, but exhorting to it; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

(26)For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no more sacrifice for sins remaineth; (27)but a certain terrible expectation of judgment, and a burning indignation, ready to devour these enemies.

(28)Any man who treated the law of Moses with neglect, was put to death, without mercy, on the deposition of two or three witnesses: (29)by how much, think ye, shall he be counted worthy of more condign punishment who hath trampled on the Son of God, and regarded the blood of his testament, by which he was sanctified, as an unclean thing, and hath treated the gracious Spirit contumeliously? (30)For we know him who declares, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord[138]." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." (31)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(32)But remember the past days in which, after ye had been illuminated, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; (33)partly while publicly exposed to revilings and tribulations, partly as being in communion with those who were treated in this manner. (34)For ye have been fellow-sufferers with my bonds, and received with joy the plundering of your properties, knowing in yourselves that you have in the heavens a better substance, and permanent.

(35)Recede not therefore from your boldness of profession, which brings a great recompence of reward. (36)For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. (37)For yet a little, very little while, and he that is coming will come, and will not delay. (38)"The just man then will live by faith[139];" and if he draw back, my soul shall have no delight in him. (39)But we are not of those who turn back unto perdition; but of those who believe to the salvation of the soul.

CHAP. XI.

NOW faith is the realizing confidence of the things hoped for, and the demonstration of things unseen: (2)for thereby the ancients obtained a testimony of approbation.

(3)By faith we understand that the worlds were exactly formed by the word of God, so that the visible objects were not made out of things which now appear.

(4)By faith Abel offered unto God a sacrifice of more excellence than Cain, by which he received a testimony that he was a righteous man, God bearing witness upon his gifts: and by this, though dead, he still speaketh.

(5)By faith Enoch was translated, so as not to see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he was recorded to have been acceptable to God. (6)But without faith it is impossible to be acceptable; for he must believe, who cometh unto God, that he exists, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

(7)By faith Noah, being divinely warned respecting things not yet seen, filled with reverential awe, prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

(8)By faith Abraham, called to go forth unto a place which he should in future obtain as an heritage, obeyed; and he went forth, not knowing whither he was going. (9)By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. (10)For he expected a city having foundations, of which God is the planner and architect.

(11)By faith also that very Sarah, who was barren, received ability for the conception of seed, and past the usual time of life brought forth a child, because she accounted that he who promised it, would be true to his promise. (12)Wherefore even from one person, and he become dead in respect to these matters, there sprang a race, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand, which is on the shore of the sea, innumerable. (13)All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them at a great distance, though believing and embracing them, and confessing that they were strangers and sojourners in the land. (14)Now they who speak thus, shew evidently that they are in earnest search of their native country. (15)And if indeed they had fixed their minds on that from whence they had gone forth, they might have had opportunity to go back to it again. (16)But now their longing desires are after a better country, that is, the heavenly one: wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he hath prepared a city for them.

(17)By faith Abraham, when tried, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promise, presented in sacrifice his only begotten son, (18)unto whom it had been said, "That by Isaac shall there be a seed bearing thy name[140]:" (19)reasoning that God was able to raise him up again, even from the dead; from whence also figuratively he had received him.

(20)By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau with regard to future things.

(21)By faith, dying Jacob blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed down in adoration upon the top of his staff.

(22)By faith Joseph, approaching his end, made mention of the children of Israel's departure thence; and gave a charge respecting his bones.

(23)By faith Moses, after he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child singularly beautiful; and they were not intimidated by the command of the king.

(24)By faith Moses, when he became a grown man, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25)choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God, than to have a temporary fruition of sin; (26)esteeming the reproach of Christ riches greater than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked earnestly to the recompence of reward. (27)By faith he forsook Egypt, not intimidated by the wrath of the king: for he boldly persisted, as seeing the invisible _Jehovah_. (28)By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the first-born might not touch them.

(29)By faith they passed through the Red sea, as on dry ground; which the Egyptians attempting to do were swallowed up.

(30)By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after being circled round seven days.

(31)By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with those who were infidels, having received the spies in peace.

(32)And what more shall I say: for the time would fail me if I should make a narration concerning Gideon, and Barac, and Sampson, and Jephtha, and David, and Samuel, and the prophets: (33)who by faith vanquished kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34)extinguished the force of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, they were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in battle, routed the armies of aliens. (35)Women received by a resurrection their dead: but others were tortured, not accepting a release; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (36)and others had trials of mockeries and whippings, yea and farther of chains and imprisonment: (37)they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they experienced the severest trials, they were slain by the edge of the sword: they went about wrapped in skins of sheep and goats, destitute of all things, pressed down with afflictions, suffering all kind of misery; (38)of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered up and down in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caverns of the earth. (39)And these all though having obtained a testimony by faith, received not the promise: (40)God having provided for us something better, that without us they should not attain to perfection.

CHAP. XII.

THEREFORE also seeing we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and that most easily besetting sin, let us run with patience the race lying before us, (2)earnestly looking up to Jesus the author and the finisher of faith; who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3)Consider then attentively him that endured from sinners such opposition against himself, that ye be not wearied out, fainting in your souls. (4)As yet ye have not resisted unto blood, struggling against sin. (5)And have you forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you, as children, "My son, count not lightly of the Lord's childlike correction, nor faint when under his rebuke: (6)for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth[141]." (7)If ye patiently endure correction, God carries himself towards you as his children: for who is the son whom the father doth not correct? (8)If then ye are without correction, of which all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not children.

(9)If then we have had the fathers of our flesh for correctors, and reverenced them; shall we not much more be under subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? (10)For they indeed for a few days as seemed proper to themselves corrected us; but he for our own advantage, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (11)Now all correction at the moment seemeth not to be cause for joy, but for sorrow; but after a while it produceth peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have thereby been disciplined.

(12)Wherefore stretch out again the hands that hang down, and the paralytic knees; (13)and make strait paths for your feet, that what is halting may not be turned out of the way; but that it may rather be healed.

(14)Earnestly seek peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (15)carefully observing lest any of you fail of attaining the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and by it many be defiled; (16)lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of bread parted with his birthrights. (17)For ye know, that when afterwards he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place for a change of _his father's_ mind, though he sought it earnestly with tears. (18)For ye have not approached the mountain that could only be groped for, and that burned with fire, and the thick cloud, and the darkness, and the tempest, (19)and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they who heard, earnestly begged that the discourse might not be directed to them: (20)for they could not bear the charge given, and "If but a beast touch the mountain he shall be stoned, or shot through with a dart[142]:" (21)and so terrible was the appearance, that Moses said, I am exceedingly afraid and trembling: (22)but ye are come unto mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, (23)and to the general assembly and church of the first-born registered in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men perfected, (24)and to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel.

(25)Beware that ye reject not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not, who rejected him, that upon earth spake by divine influence, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him who speaks from heaven: (26)whose voice then shook the earth, but now he hath promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also the heaven[143]." (27)Now this word yet once more manifests the removal of the things shaken, as of things formed, that the things not shaken may endure.

(28)Wherefore receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, may we hold fast the grace, by which we can offer to God acceptably divine service, with reverence and pious awe: (29)for our God is a devouring fire.

CHAP. XIII.

LET brotherly love continue. (2)Forget not to exercise hospitality: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

(3)Remember those who are in chains, as in chains with them; and those who are suffering afflictions, as being yourselves also in the body.

(4)Marriage is honourable for all persons, and the marriage bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

(5)Let the tenor of your life be divested of the love of money; content with your present possessions: for he hath said, "I will in no wise leave thee, neither will I in any case forsake thee[144]." (6)So that we may with confidence say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

(7)Remember your presidents, who have spoken to you the word of God: the ultimate issue of whose conduct attentively observing, be imitators of their fidelity.

(8)Jesus Christ _is_ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. (9)Be not tossed about by various and strange doctrines: for it is good to have the heart firmly established by grace, not by meats, in which observances they who have walked have found no manner of advantage. (10)We have an altar, of which they have no right to eat, who perform the service in the tabernacle. (11)For the bodies of those beasts are burnt without the camp, whose blood for a sin offering is brought into the holy of holies by the high-priest. (12)Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

(13)Therefore let us go forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (14)For we have not here an abiding city, but we earnestly seek that which is to come. (15)By him therefore let us offer a sacrifice of praise perpetually to God, that is the fruit of our lips confessing his name. (16)But of beneficence, and liberal distribution, be not unmindful: for such sacrifices God accepts with delight.