Hebrews 8

1 Now the main point in the things that have been stated is this: that we have so great a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,

To sum up what I have been saying: Such is the high priest that we have, one who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God’s Majesty in heaven,

2 who is the minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle, which was established by the Lord, not by man.

where he serves in the sanctuary, in that true tent set up by the Lord and not by man.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it is necessary for him also to have something to offer.

Every high priest is appointed for the purpose of offering gifts and sacrifices to God; it follows, therefore, that this high priest must have some offering to make.

4 And so, if he were upon the earth, he would not be a priest, since there would be others to offer gifts according to the law,

If he were, however, still on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts as the Law directs.

5 gifts which serve as mere examples and shadows of the heavenly things. And so it was answered to Moses, when he was about to complete the tabernacle: “See to it,” he said, “that you make everything according to the example which was revealed to you on the mountain.”

(These priests, it is true, are engaged in a service which is only a copy and shadow of the heavenly realities, as is shown by the directions given to Moses when he was about to construct the tent. “Look to it,” are the words, “that you make every part in accordance with the pattern shown you on the mountain.”)

6 But now he has been granted a better ministry, so much so that he is also the Mediator of a better testament, which has been confirmed by better promises.

But Jesus, as we see, has obtained a ministry as far excelling theirs, as the covenant of which he is the intermediary, based, as it is, on better promises, excels the former covenant.

7 For if the former one had been entirely without fault, then a place certainly would not have been sought for a subsequent one.

If that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second.

8 For, finding fault with them, he says: “Behold, the days shall arrive, says the Lord, when I will consummate a New Testament over the house of Israel and the house of Judah,

But, finding fault with the people, God says – “‘A time is coming,’ says the Lord, ‘When I will ratify a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah –

9 not according to the testament which I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in my testament, and so I disregarded them, says the Lord.

Not such a covenant as I made with their ancestors on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not abide by their covenant with me, and therefore I disregarded them,’ says the Lord.

10 For this is the testament which I will set before the house of Israel, after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their minds, and I will inscribe my laws on their hearts. And so, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

‘This is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel after those days,’ says the Lord. ‘I will impress my laws on their minds, and will inscribe them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

11 And they will not teach, each one his neighbor, and each one his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord.’ For all shall know me, from the least, even to the greatest of them.

There will be no need for anyone to instruct their fellow citizen, or for a person to say to their relatives “Learn to know the Lord”; for everyone will know me, from the lowest to the highest.

12 For I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins.”

For I will be merciful to their wrongdoings, and I will no longer remember their sins.’”

13 Now in saying something new, he has made the former old. But that which decays and grows old is close to passing away.

By speaking of a new covenant, God at once renders the former covenant obsolete; and whatever becomes obsolete and loses its force is virtually annulled.