Hebrews (The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the )

For the Law had a shadow of the coming good things, not the image [itself] of [those] things. [Appearing] year by year with the same sacrifices, which they offer continually, they never are able to perfect the ones drawing near.

Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because those serving did not still have conscience of sins, having once for all been cleansed?

But in these [there is] a remembrance of sins year by year,

for [it is] not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

For this reason, coming into the world, He says, "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but You prepared a body for Me.

You did not delight in burnt offerings and [sacrifices] concerning sins."

"Then I said, Lo, I come, [in the] heading of the Book, it was written concerning Me, to do Your will, O God."

Above, saying, "You did not desire nor were pleased [with] sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [sacrifices] concerning sins," (which are offered according to the Law),

then He said, "Lo, I come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first in order that He may set up the second;

by which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And indeed every priest stands day by day ministering, and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

But He, offering but one sacrifice for sins, "sat down" in perpetuity "[at the] right [hand]" of God,

from then on expecting "until His enemies are placed [as] a footstool" of His feet.

For by one offering He has perfected in perpetuity the ones being sanctified.

And the Holy Spirit witnesses to us also. For after having said before,

"This [is] the covenant which I will covenant to them after those days, says [the] Lord: Giving My laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds;"

also [He adds], "I will not at all still remember their sins" and their lawless deeds.

But where remission of these [is], there [is] no longer offering concerning sins.

Then, brothers, having confidence for the entering of the [Holy of] Holies by the blood of Jesus,

which He consecrated for us, a new and living way through the veil; that is, His flesh;

and [having] a Great Priest over the house of God,

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts having been sprinkled from an evil conscience, and [our] body having been washed in pure water;

let us hold fast the confession of the hope without yielding, for He who has promised is faithful.

And let us consider one another, to incitement of love and of good works,

not forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, as [is the] custom of some, but exhorting, and by so much more as you see the Day drawing near.

For [if] we [are] willfully sinning after receiving the full knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice concerning sins,

but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and "zealous fire being about to consume the adversaries."

[If] anyone did not regard [the] Law of Moses, [that one] dies without pities on "[the word of] two or three witnesses."

How much worse punishment do you think will be thought worthy [to receive], the [one] trampling the Son of God, and having counted common the blood of the covenant in which he was sanctified, and having insulted the Spirit of grace?

For we know Him who has said, "Vengeance [belongs] to Me; I will repay," says [the] Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people."

[It is] a fearful thing to fall into [the] hands of [the] living God.

But call to mind the former days in which being enlightened you endured much conflict of sufferings;

indeed being exposed both to reproaches and to afflictions; and having become partners of those so living.

For also you suffered together in my bonds; and you accepted the seizure of your possessions with joy, knowing yourselves to have a better and abiding possession in Heaven.

Then do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward.

For you have need of patience, that having done the will of God you may obtain the promise.

For, yet a very little [and] the [One] coming will come, "and will not delay."

"But the just shall live by faith;" "and if he draws back," "My soul is not pleased in him."

But we are not of [those] withdrawing to destruction, but of faith, to [the] preservation of [the] soul.