2. For a tent was prepared, the first one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the presentation of the loaves, which is called the holy place.
3. And after the second curtain was a tent called the holy of holies,
4. containing the golden incense altar and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which were a golden jar containing the manna and the rod of Aaron that budded and the tablets of the covenant.
5. And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, about which it is not now possible to speak in detail.
6. Now these things having been prepared in this way, the priests enter into the first tent continually as they accomplish their service,
7. but only the high priest enters into the second tent once a year, not without blood, which he offers on behalf of himself and the sins of the people committed in ignorance.
8. The Holy Spirit was making this clear, that the way into the holy place was not yet revealed, while the first tent was still in existence,
9. which was a symbol for the present time, in which both the gifts and sacrifices which were offered were not able to perfect the worshiper with respect to the conscience,
10. concerning instead only food and drink and different washings, regulations of outward things imposed until the time of setting things right.
11. But Christ has arrived as a high priest of the good things to come. Through the greater and more perfect tent not made by hands, that is, not of this creation,
12. and not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered once for all into the most holy place, obtaining eternal redemption.
13. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled sanctify them for the ritual purity of the flesh,
14. how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?