¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment ^(A)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(B)the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better ^(C)hope, through which we ^(D)draw near to God. ²⁰ And inasmuch as it was not without an oath ²¹ (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

²² so much the more also Jesus has become the ^(H)guarantee of ^(I)a better covenant.

^23 [a]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, ²⁴ but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ^(J)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore He is able also to ^(K)save ^[b]forever those who ^(L)draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to ^(M)make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(N)high priest, ^(O)holy, ^(P)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and ^(Q)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who does not need daily, like those high priests, to ^(R)offer up sacrifices, ^(S)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did ^(T)once for all when He ^(U)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(V)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(W)a Son, ^(X)made perfect forever.

A New Covenant

⁷ For ^(A)if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.