Hebrews 9:3-14

3Behind the second curtain was a tent called the most holy place.

4It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

5The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.

6With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry.

7But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

8The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing.

9This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.

10They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.

11But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation),

12he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

13For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,

14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?