The Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ came as high priest(A) of the good things that are now already here,[a](B) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle(C) that is not made with human hands,(D) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;(E) but he entered the Most Holy Place(F) once for all(G) by his own blood,(H) thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls(I) and the ashes of a heifer(J) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit(K) offered himself(L) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences(M) from acts that lead to death,[c](N) so that we may serve the living God!(O)

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(P) of a new covenant,(Q) that those who are called(R) may receive the promised(S) eternal inheritance(T)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(U)

16 In the case of a will,[d] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.(V) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(W) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(X) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(Y) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[e](Z)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
  2. Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
  3. Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals
  4. Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
  5. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

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