To the Hebrews
10 For since the Law has a shadow+ of the good things to come,+ but not the very substance of the things, it* can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make those who approach perfect.+ 2 Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have stopped being offered, because those rendering sacred service once cleansed would have no consciousness of sins anymore? 3 On the contrary, these sacrifices are a reminder of sins year after year,+ 4 for it is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take sins away.
5 So when he comes into the world, he says: “‘Sacrifice and offering you did not want, but you prepared a body for me. 6 You did not approve of whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.’+ 7 Then I said: ‘Look! I have come (in the scroll* it is written about me) to do your will, O God.’”+ 8 After first saying: “You did not want nor did you approve of sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sin offerings”—sacrifices that are offered according to the Law— 9 then he says: “Look! I have come to do your will.”+ He does away with what is first in order to establish what is second. 10 By this “will”+ we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.+
11 Also, every priest takes his station day after day to offer holy service*+ and to make the same sacrifices often,+ which can never take sins away completely.+ 12 But this man offered one sacrifice for sins for all time and sat down at the right hand of God,+ 13 from then on waiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.+ 14 For it is by one sacrificial offering that he has made those who are being sanctified perfect+ for all time. 15 Moreover, the holy spirit also bears witness to us, for after it has said: 16 “‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,’ says Jehovah.* ‘I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them.’”+ 17 Then it says: “And I will no longer call their sins and their lawless deeds to mind.”+ 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness* for the way of entry into the holy place+ by the blood of Jesus, 20 which he opened up* for us as a new and living way through the curtain,+ that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,+ 22 let us approach with sincere hearts and complete faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from a wicked conscience+ and our bodies bathed with clean water.+ 23 Let us hold firmly the public declaration of our hope without wavering,+ for the one who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider* one another so as to incite* to love and fine works,+ 25 not forsaking our meeting together,+ as some have the custom, but encouraging one another,+ and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.+
26 For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth,+ there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left,+ 27 but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a burning indignation that is going to consume those in opposition.+ 28 Anyone who has disregarded the Law of Moses dies without compassion on the testimony of two or three.+ 29 How much greater punishment do you think a person will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God and who has regarded as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant+ by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt?+ 30 For we know the One who said: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again: “Jehovah* will judge his people.”+ 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 However, keep remembering the former days in which, after you were enlightened,+ you endured a great struggle along with sufferings. 33 At times you were publicly exposed* both to reproaches and to tribulations, and at times you shared* with those who were having such an experience. 34 For you expressed sympathy for those in prison and you accepted joyfully the plundering of your belongings,+ knowing that you yourselves have a better and an enduring possession.+
35 Therefore, do not throw away your boldness,* which will be richly rewarded.+ 36 For you need endurance,+ so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. 37 For yet “a very little while,”+ and “the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay.”+ 38 “But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,”+ and “if he shrinks back, I have* no pleasure in him.”+ 39 Now we are not the sort who shrink back to destruction,+ but the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives.*