1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. |
2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. |
3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, |
4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. |
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
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6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
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7 Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll--
I have come to do your will, O God.' "1 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint) |
8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). |
9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. |
10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. |
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. |
12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. |
13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, |
14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. |
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
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16 "This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds."2 10:16 Jer. 31:33 |
17 Then he adds:
"Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more."3 10:17 Jer. 31:34 |
18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. |
