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.

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,

and then said,

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

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