Hebrews 10
1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things; by the selfsame sacrifices which they offer continually every year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect:
Just like a shadow vaguely represents the thing that it is a shadow of, the laws that God [gave Moses] only poorly represent [MET] the good things that were to come later. Those laws were not all the good things themselves that God has promised. So, by offering the same kinds of sacrifices every year, people [PRS] who approach God can never become (perfect/all that God intends them to be).
2 For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer:
If God had removed the guilt for having sinned of those who brought the sacrifices, they would not feel that they were still guilty. So they would certainly have stopped offering those sacrifices! [RHQ]
3 But in them there is made a commemoration of sins every year.
But rather, the fact that they offer those sacrifices each year reminds them that they are still guilty for their sins.
4 For it is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin should be taken away.
The principle is that blood of animals such as bulls or goats can never remove the guilt of those who have sinned.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith: Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldest not: but a body thou hast fitted to me:
So, as [Christ] was coming into the world, he spoke [to his Father about offering himself as a sacrifice for people’s sin. The Psalmist wrote this that Christ said]: It is not sacrifices and offerings that you [(sg)] have wanted, but you have prepared for me a body [to serve you].
6 Holocausts for sin did not please thee.
Animals that are completely burned up as sacrifices have not pleased you, and [other sacrifices that atone] for those who have sinned have not pleased you.
7 Then said I: Behold I come: in the head of the book it is written of me: that I should do thy will, O God.
Then [because of this], I said, “My God, (listen!/here I am!) I have come [here] in order to do what you want me [to do], [just like] has been written {as they have written} about me in the Scriptures.”
8 In saying before, Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin thou wouldest not, neither are they pleasing to thee, which are offered according to the law.
First, [Christ] said, “It is not sacrifices and offerings and animals that [the priests] have completely burned up and other [offerings to atone for] those who have sinned that you have really wanted. They have not pleased you.” [Christ said that even though] those things were offered {they offered all those things} according to the laws [God gave Moses]!
9 Then said I: Behold, I come to do thy will, O God: he taketh away the first, that he may establish that which followeth.
Then, [concerning his offering himself as a sacrifice to atone for people’s sin], he said, “Listen! I have come [here] to do what you want me [to do]!” In that way Christ got rid of the first [way of atoning for sin], in order to establish the second [way of atoning for] sin.
10 In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once.
Because of Jesus Christ [doing what God] wanted him to do, we have been dedicated to {[he] has set us apart for} God by his offering his own body only once [as a sacrifice, a sacrifice that will not need to be repeated].
11 And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering, and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
As every [Jewish] priest stands daily [in front of the altar], he performs rituals and offers the same kind of sacrifices that could never remove [the guilt from anyone who] sinned [MTY].
12 But this man offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth on the right hand of God,
But [Christ] offered a sacrifice that [will be adequate] forever, and he offered it only one time! Then he sat down [to rule] with God at the place of highest honor [MTY].
13 From henceforth expecting, until his enemies be made his footstool.
From now on, he is waiting for [God] to completely subdue [all] Christ’s enemies [MTY].
14 For by one oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
By offering himself once, he has provided that those whom [God] has set apart will be eternally made (perfect/all that God intends them to be).
15 And the Holy Ghost also doth testify this to us. For after that he said:
The Holy Spirit also confirms to us [that this is true]. First the Lord says:
16 And this is the testament which I will make unto them after those days, saith the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts, and on their minds will I write them:
When the time [MTY] [when the first covenant that God made] with my people has ended, I will make a new covenant with them [MTY]. I will do like this for them: I will cause them to understand my laws and I will cause them to obey them (OR, enable them to know them sincerely).
17 And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.
Then [the Lord said]: [I will forgive them for] their [DOU] sins, and I will [consider] that they are no longer [guilty for] having sinned.
18 Now where there is a remission of these, there is no more an oblation for sin.
When [God] has forgiven someone’s sins, that person does not [need to make] any more offerings [to atone for his sin]!
19 Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ;
So, my fellow believers, because we [trust in what Jesus accomplished when] his own blood [flowed for us], we can confidently go into [God’s very presence] that was [symbolized] by the very holy place [in the tent] [MTY].
20 A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
Jesus enabled us to go into [God’s presence] by making a new and effective way. [Specifically], he [offered] his body [as a sacrifice] for us [in order that nothing would stop us] from entering [God’s presence, just like] [MET] the curtain [of the very holy place prevented people from entering God’s presence].
21 And a high priest over the house of God:
Christ is a great priest [who rules over us, who are] God’s people [MTY].
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water.
[Just like the priests] were sprinkled {[as Moses] sprinkled [the priests]} [with blood] [MET] to symbolize that they were no longer guilty for having sinned, we also no longer are [guilty for having done] evil. [Just like the priests ceremonially] washed their bodies with pure water [to prepare themselves to serve God], we are allowing [God] to continually make us pure. So, we [(inc)] must approach [God] sincerely by confidently trusting [in him].
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised),
We must unwaveringly keep holding tight [to what we believe. Since God] faithfully [does all] he promised [to do], we must confidently expect [him to keep doing that].
24 And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works:
[Since God] faithfully [does all that] he promised [to do], let us consider how each of us can motivate other believers, in order that [believers] will love each other, and in order that each one will do good things.
25 Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
We must not stop assembling ourselves [to worship the Lord], as some people have done. Instead, each one of us must encourage/exhort other believers. [Let us do that] even more since we know that the day [that the Lord will return] [MTY] is near.
26 For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins,
[We(inc) must do those things], because if we deliberately and habitually sin after we have known the true [message about Christ], no other sacrifice will remove our guilt for having sinned in that way.
27 But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries.
Instead, we must fearfully expect that [God will] judge and angrily [punish] his enemies in a furious fire [MET].
28 A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any mercy under two or three witnesses:
Everyone who rejected the laws [that God gave] Moses was mercilessly killed when [at least] two or three people testified that they had done that.
29 How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of grace?
[That was severe punishment]. But [Christ] is (God’s Son/the man who is also God). His blood, by means of which [he put into effect] the new covenant, is sacred. Because of [Christ’s] [MTY] blood [flowing for us when he died], [God] freed us from our guilt. So, you can be sure [RHQ] that anyone who shows contempt for [those truths] and who insults the Spirit of God, the one who acts with kindness toward us in a way we do not deserve, deserves to be punished even worse than [those Israelis were punished] [MET]!
30 For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge his people.
[We can be sure of that] (OR, [need to think about that carefully]) since we know that God said, “I myself will get revenge on those who sinned, and I will punish them as they deserve [DOU].” [Moses wrote], “The Lord will judge his people.”
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
It will be a terrible thing if God who is all-powerful [MTY] seizes and punishes you [IDM]!
32 But call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions.
Recall previous times when you [first] understood [MET] [the message about Christ]. You endured a hard struggle, but you [continued to trust him] when you suffered [because you believed in Christ].
33 And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that were used in such sort.
At times you were publicly insulted {people publicly insulted you} and you suffered {people persecuted you}. But you showed great concern for those who were treated like that.
34 For you both had compassion on them that were in bands, and took with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a better and a lasting substance.
You not only were kind to those who were in prison [because they believed in Christ], but you also accepted it joyfully when [unbelievers] took away your possessions. You accepted it because you yourselves knew very well that you have eternal possessions [in heaven] that are much better [than those that they took from you]!
35 Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward.
So, do not become discouraged [when they cause you to suffer] {[you are persecuted]}, because [if you continue to trust in God], he will greatly reward you.
36 For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
You must patiently continue [to trust in him] in order that, because of your doing what God wants you to do, he will give you what he has promised.
37 For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come, will come, and will not delay.
[You must do that] since [a prophet wrote] in the Scriptures [that God said about the Messiah], In just a short time the one [I promised] would come will surely come; he will not delay coming.
38 But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul.
But those whom I have summoned, who [act] righteously, must continually live trusting in me, because if they, in a cowardly manner, cease [to trust in me], I (will not be pleased/will be angry) with them.
39 But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but of faith to the saving of the soul.
But we are not ones who in a cowardly manner stop [trusting in God], with the result that God will severely punish us. Instead, we are ones who trust in him, with the result that [God] will save us [SYN] eternally.
