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15 It is because of this death that he is mediator of a new covenant [or will].[a] Because a death has occurred which sets people free from the transgressions committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a will, there must necessarily be produced evidence of its maker’s death, 17 since a will goes into effect only upon death; it never has force while its maker is still alive.

18 This is why the first covenant too was inaugurated with blood. 19 After Moshe had proclaimed every command of the Torah to all the people, he took the blood of the calves with some water and used scarlet wool and hyssop to sprinkle both the scroll itself and all the people; 20 and he said, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has ordained for you.”[b] 21 Likewise, he sprinkled with the blood both the Tent and all the things used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, according to the Torah, almost everything is purified with blood; indeed, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:15 Jeremiah 31:30(31)
  2. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8

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)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
  2. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

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28 Someone who disregards the Torah of Moshe is put to death without mercy on the word of two or three witnesses.[a] 29 Think how much worse will be the punishment deserved by someone who has trampled underfoot the Son of God; who has treated as something common the blood of the covenant[b] which made him holy; and who has insulted the Spirit, giver of God’s grace!

30 For the One we know is the One who said,

“Vengeance is my responsibility;
I will repay,”

and then said,

Adonai will judge his people.”[c]

31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

32 But remember the earlier days, when, after you had received the light, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. 33 Sometimes you were publicly disgraced and persecuted, while at other times you stood loyally by those who were treated this way. 34 For you shared the sufferings of those who had been put in prison. Also when your possessions were seized, you accepted it gladly; since you knew that what you possessed was better and would last forever.

35 So don’t throw away that courage of yours, which carries with it such a great reward. 36 For you need to hold out; so that, by having done what God wills, you may receive what he has promised. 37 For

“There is so, so little time!
The One coming will indeed come,
he will not delay.
38 But the person who is righteous
will live his life by trusting,
and if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him.”[d]

39 However, we are not the kind who shrink back and are destroyed; on the contrary, we keep trusting and thus preserve our lives!

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:28 Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15
  2. Hebrews 10:29 Exodus 24:8
  3. Hebrews 10:30 Deuteronomy 32:35–36
  4. Hebrews 10:38 Habakkuk 2:3-4

28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.(A) 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God(B) underfoot,(C) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant(D) that sanctified them,(E) and who has insulted the Spirit(F) of grace?(G) 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a](H) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[b](I) 31 It is a dreadful thing(J) to fall into the hands(K) of the living God.(L)

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,(M) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.(N) 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;(O) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.(P) 34 You suffered along with those in prison(Q) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.(R) 35 So do not throw away your confidence;(S) it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere(T) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.(U) 37 For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming(V) will come
    and will not delay.”[c](W)

38 And,

“But my righteous[d] one will live by faith.(X)
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”[e](Y)

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:35
  2. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14
  3. Hebrews 10:37 Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3
  4. Hebrews 10:38 Some early manuscripts But the righteous
  5. Hebrews 10:38 Hab. 2:4 (see Septuagint)

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

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

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

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

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

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

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

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

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

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

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

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

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