¹⁵ For this reason Christ is the mediator^(A) of a new covenant,^(B) that those who are called^(C) may receive the promised^(D) eternal inheritance^(E)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.^(F)

¹⁶ In the case of a will,^[a] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, ¹⁷ because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. ¹⁸ This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.^{(G) 19} When Moses had proclaimed^(H) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,^(I) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.^{(J) 20} He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”^{[b](K) 21} In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. ²² In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,^(L) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.^(M)

²³ It was necessary, then, for the copies^(N) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;^(O) he entered heaven itself,^(P) now to appear for us in God’s presence.^{(Q) 25} Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place^(R) every year with blood that is not his own.^{(S) 26} Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.^(T) But he has appeared^(U) once for all^(V) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.^{(W) 27} Just as people are destined to die once,^(X) and after that to face judgment,^{(Y) 28} so Christ was sacrificed once^(Z) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,^(AA) not to bear sin,^(AB) but to bring salvation^(AC) to those who are waiting for him.^(AD)