Animal Sacrifices Must Be Continual

1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the ones approaching perfect.

2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipers once purged should have had no more consciousness of sins.

3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Christ's Sacrifice Is Once for All

5Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, Sacrifice and offering you desired not, but a body have you prepared me:

6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure.

7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God.

8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you desired not, neither had pleasure in them; which are offered by the law;

9Then said he, Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second.

10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ's One Sacrifice Is Forever

11And every priest stands daily ministering and offering frequently the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13From then on waiting till his enemies be made his footstool.

14For by one offering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified.

15The Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after this he had said before,

16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Draw Near in Assurance and Hold Fast

19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21And having a high priest over the house of God;

22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.

26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

27But a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29Of how much worse punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done insult unto the Spirit of grace?

30For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight with afflictions;

33Partly, while you were made a public display both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while you became companions of them that were so used.

34For you had compassion on me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring possession.

35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward.

36For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.

37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

We Are Not of Them Who Draw Back

38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.