5. and above it, cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. But it is not now possible to speak in detail about these things.
6. Now with these things prepared this way, the kohanim do continually enter into the outer tent while completing the services;
7. but into the inner, once a year, the kohen gadol alone— and not without blood which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.
8. By this the Ruach ha-Kodesh makes clear that the way into the Holies has not yet been revealed while the first tent is still standing.
9. It is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly, gifts and sacrifices are being offered that cannot make the worshiper perfect with respect to conscience.
10. These relate only to food and drink and various washings—regulations for the body imposed until a time of setting things straight.
11. But when Messiah appeared as Kohen Gadol of the good things that have now come, passing through the greater and more perfect Tent not made with hands (that is to say not of this creation),
12. He entered into the Holies once for all—not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
13. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh,
14. how much more will the blood of Messiah—who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God—cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15. For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that those called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—since a death has taken place that redeems them from violations under the first covenant.
16. For where there is a covenant, the death of the one who made it must be established.
17. For a covenant is secured upon the basis of dead bodies, since it has no strength as long as the one who made it lives.