Hebrews 10

Christ’s Once-for-All Offering

1For since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the true form of these realities, it can never—by the same sacrifices that are offered continually year after year—make those who draw near complete. 2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any awareness of sins? 3But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. 4For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me. 6In burnt offerings and offerings for sin you took no pleasure. 7Then I said, ‘Look—I have come to do your will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.” 8When he said above, “You did not desire and you took no pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and offerings for sin” (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, “Look—I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second.

10And by that will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest stands day after day serving and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13waiting from that time onward until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14For by a single offering he has made complete for all time those who are being made holy.

15And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” 17then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Draw Near, Hold Fast, Spur One Another On

19Therefore, sisters and brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain—that is, through his flesh— 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for the one who promised is trustworthy. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

A Sobering Warning and a Strong Encouragement

26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has treated as common the blood of the covenant by which they were made holy, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

30For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32But remember the former days, when after you were enlightened you endured a hard struggle with sufferings— 33sometimes being publicly exposed to insults and afflictions, and sometimes being partners with those who were so treated. 34For you had compassion on those in prison, and you accepted with joy the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better and lasting possession.

35Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised. 37“For yet a very little while, and the one who is coming will come and will not delay; 38but my righteous one will live by trust, and if they shrink back, my soul takes no pleasure in them.” 39But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but among those who have trust to the preserving of the soul.