Hebrews 8

1 Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: We have such a High Priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens--

2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

a minister of the holy places; namely, of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

For every high priest is constituted to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Hence, it was necessary that this High Priest, also, should have something he might offer.

4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

For, indeed, if he were on earth, he could not be a priest, there being priests who offer gifts according to the law.

5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

(These perform divine service for an example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses, when about to construct the tabernacle, was admonished of God: "See, now (says he, ) that you make all things according to the type that was showed you in the Mount.")

6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Besides, he has now obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better institution, which has been established upon better promises.

7 For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

For if that first institution had been faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second.

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

But, finding fault, he says to them, "Behold, the days come, says the Lord, when I will make a new institution with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

not according to the institution which I made with their fathers, at the time of my taking them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt--because they did not abide in my institution, I also neglected them, says the Lord.

10 For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Now this is the institution which I will make with the house of Israel, after these days, says the Lord. I will put my laws into their mind, and inscribe them on their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

And they shall not teach every man his fellow-citizen, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Because I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more."

13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

By saying, "a new institution," he has made the former old: now, that which is decaying and growing old, is ready to vanish away.