Christ's Eternal Priesthood

1Now a summary of the things of which we are speaking [is], We have such a one high priest who has sat down on [the] right hand of the throne of the greatness in the heavens; 2minister of the holy places and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord has pitched, [and] not man. 3For every high priest is constituted for the offering both of gifts and sacrifices; whence it is needful that this one also should have something which he may offer. 4If then indeed he were upon earth, he would not even be a priest, there being those who offer the gifts according to the law, 5(who serve the representation and shadow of heavenly things, according as Moses was oracularly told [when] about to make the tabernacle; for See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern which has been shewn to thee in the mountain.) 6But now he has got a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is mediator of a better covenant, which is established on the footing of better promises.

The New Covenant

7For if that first was faultless, place had not been sought for a second.

8For finding fault, he says to them, Behold, days come, saith the Lord, and I will consummate a new covenant as regards the house of Israel, and as regards the house of Juda;

9not according to the covenant which I made to their fathers in [the] day of my taking their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in my covenant, and I did not regard them, saith [the] Lord.

10Because this [is] the covenant that I will covenant to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Giving my laws into their mind, I will write them also upon their hearts; and I will be to them for God, and they shall be to me for people.

11And they shall not teach each his fellow-citizen, and each his brother, saying, Know the Lord; because all shall know me in themselves, from [the] little one [among them] unto [the] great among them.

12Because I will be merciful to their unrighteousnesses, and their sins and their lawlessnesses I will never remember any more.

13In that he says New, he has made the first old; but that which grows old and aged [is] near disappearing.