Hebrews 10
1 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).
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 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]
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But rather, the fact that they offer those sacrifices each year reminds them that they are still guilty for their sins.
But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.
4 The principle is that blood of animals such as bulls or goats can never remove the guilt of those who have sinned.
For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 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].
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 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.
In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 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.”
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me, ) to do thy will, O God.
8 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]!
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law;
9 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.
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 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].
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].
11 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].
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 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].
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From now on, he is waiting for [God] to completely subdue [all] Christ’s enemies [MTY].
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 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).
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 The Holy Spirit also confirms to us [that this is true]. First the Lord says:
[Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 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).
This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 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.
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 When [God] has forgiven someone’s sins, that person does not [need to make] any more offerings [to atone for his sin]!
Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.
19 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].
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 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].
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 Christ is a great priest [who rules over us, who are] God’s people [MTY].
And [having] an high priest over the house of God;
22 [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].
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 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].
Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised; )
24 [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.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 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.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 [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.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 Instead, we must fearfully expect that [God will] judge and angrily [punish] his enemies in a furious fire [MET].
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 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.
He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 [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]!
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 [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.”
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 will be a terrible thing if God who is all-powerful [MTY] seizes and punishes you [IDM]!
[It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 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].
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 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.
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 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]!
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 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.
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 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.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 [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.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 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.
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 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.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
