1 FOR the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

1For the Law hauing a shadow of good things to come, and not the very Image of the things, can neuer with those sacrifices which they offered yeere by yeere continually, make the commers thereunto perfect:

2For then would they not haue ceased to be offered, because that the worshippers once purged, should haue had no more conscience of sinnes?

3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance againe made of sinnes euery yeere.

4For it is not possible that the blood of Bulles and of Goats, should take away sinnes.

5Wherefore when hee commeth into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared mee:

6In burnt offerings, and sacrifices for sinne thou hast had no pleasure:

7Then said I, Loe, I come. (In the volume of the booke it is written of me) to doe thy will, O God.

8Aboue when hee said, Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt offerings, and offering for sinne thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the Law:

9Then said he, Loe, I come to doe thy will (O God:) He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10By the which will wee are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once for all.

11And euery Priest standeth dayly ministring and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can neuer take away sinnes.

12But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes for euer, sate downe on the right hand of God,

13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstoole.

14For by one offering hee hath perfected for euer them that are sanctified.

15Whereof the holy Ghost also is a witnesse to vs: for after that he had said before,

16This is the Couenant that I wil make with them after those dayes, saith the Lord: I will put my Lawes into their hearts, and in their mindes will I write them:

17And their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more.

18Now, where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sinne.

19Hauing therefore, brethren, boldnesse to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Iesus,

20By a new and liuing way which hee hath consecrated for vs, through the vaile, that is to say, His flesh:

21And hauing an high Priest ouer the house of God:

22Let vs drawe neere with a true heart in full assurance of faith, hauing our hearts sprinkled from an euill conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23Let vs hold fast the profession of our faith without wauering (for he is faithfull that promised)

24And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue, and to good workes:

25Not forsaking the assembling of our selues together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approching.

26For if we sinne wilfully after that we haue receiued the knowledge of the trueth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes,

27But a certaine fearefull looking for of iudgement, and fiery indignation, which shall deuoure the aduersaries.

28Hee that despised Moses Lawe, died without mercy, vnder two or three witnesses.

29Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall hee be thought worthy, who hath troden vnder foote þe Sonne of God, and hath counted the blood of the couenant wherwith he was sanctified, an vnholy thing, and hath done despite vnto the spirit of grace?

30For we know him that hath said, Uengeance belongeth vnto me, I wil recompence, saith the Lord: and again, The Lord shall iudge his people.

31It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God.

32But call to remembrance the former dayes, in which after yee were illuminated, ye indured a great fight of afflictions:

33Partly whilest ye were made a gazing stocke both by reproches & afflictions, and partly whilest ye became companions of them that were so vsed.

34For yee had compassion of me in my bonds, and tooke ioyfully the spoyling of your goods, knowing in your selues that yee haue in heauen a better and an induring substance.

35Cast not away therfore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward.

36For ye haue need of patience, that shall after ye haue done the will of God ye might receiue the promise.

37For yet a litle while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tary.

38Now the iust shall liue by faith: but if any man drawe backe, my soule shall haue no pleasure in him.

39But wee are not of them who draw backe vnto perdition: but of them that beleeue, to the sauing of the soule.

 

1 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year. 2 Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins, 4 for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. 5 For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight in. 7 Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God.'" 8 First he says, "Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in." These are offered according to the law. 9 Then he says, "Behold, I come to do your will." He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 By this "will," we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; 13 now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. 15 The holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying: 16 "This is the covenant I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord: 'I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their minds,'" 17 he also says: "Their sins and their evildoing I will remember no more." 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary 20 by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have "a great priest over the house of God," 22 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. 25 We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near. 26 If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who rejects the law of Moses is put to death without pity on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace? 30 We know the one who said: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay," and again: "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. 33 At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. 34 You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. 36 You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised. 37 "For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. 38 But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him." 39 We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.

v 1. The law was a shadow, not the real thing. Repeated offerings covered sin but didn’t make the offerer perfect.
v 2-4. Animal sacrifices did not take away sin. Day of Atonement was annual reminder,  so the guilt and remembrance of them remained.
v 5,6. This following verses quote from Ps. 40:6-8, and refers to Christ, whose body had been prepared to offer by becoming man. The ceremonial sacrifices and offerings did not satisfy God.
v 7-9. No time from His birth to the cross did Christ make the decision to go to the cross for us. That was already decided before He left eternity to become man. He as God is unchangeable, and that had been decided in eternity past. Visibly to us, when he became a babe, He had crossed the point of no return. Even though He had our same temptations, His unswerving purpose was to do God’s will. He took away the order of symbolism of sacrifices for the reality order of a body sacrificed. When we yield to Christ who is in us,we can present our bodies unto the Lord and he will make them holy and renew our minds, Rom. 12:1,2.
v 10. The body of Christ has been offered once for all, so in this, our sanctification (made holy) has been accomplished once for all.
v 11-13. This continues the contrast of the continuing daily sacrifices of the priests. There were no chairs in the tabernacle and the priests work was never done, but Christ completed His work and sat down. Christ is already victorious, but this quote from Ps. 110:1 points out the final submission of His enemies.
v 14. His one offering perfected us forever - eternal security. 
v 15-18. The Holy Spirit adds His confirmation to this by His inspired writing. Verse 16 quotes from Jer. 31:33 and verse 17 from Jer. 31:34. Remission or forgiveness is complete, so no more atoning offering is made for sin.
v 19. Boldness is not irreverence, but freedom and confidence. Only the high priest entered the Holy of Holies annually, but with the blood of Christ as our covering, we can enter the Holy of Holies of heaven at any time, even sharing priestly duties in our intercession for others.  (We do need to prepare first, primarily, as the priest, we must have our sins confessed and forgiven first.)
v 20. The veil of humanity in our fallen state separated us from  God’s Holy presence, but since Christ bore our sins in His own body on the cross, the veil of humanity is taken away for all who have placed their trust in Him.
v 21. Christ is there constantly interceding as our advocate and is in control.
v 22. A. Draw near  is the first of four commands to these wavering believers. A true heart is a sincere heart, where our treasures are indicate where our heart is. We can approach the Lord with assurance and faith if we sanctify ourselves before Him.  These people are reminded of the ceremonial cleansing of priests and Levites. This sprinkling and washing does not refer to baptism, but being free from inward guilt and outward impurity. Sprinkling of the blood of Christ and washing of water by the Word, Eph. 5:26.
v 23. B. Hold fast  Some wavered and felt the pull to go back to outward satisfaction of Judaism. Others had become neglectful because sin had crept in, but God remained faithful, they were not losing their salvation. The need is obedience.
v 24. C. Provoke one another  This may be by encouragement or by correction, but it should stimulate them to love and noble activities.
v 25. D, Not forsaking assembling It is so easy to decline spiritually in our personal lives if we neglect this area, as had already begun here. It is important to lovingly warn and encourage each other to faithfulness as the “Day”, return of Christ nears. This expression is another indication that Paul may be the human author.
v 26,27.  To sin willfully is a sin of presumption as in Num. 29-31, with no provision for forgiveness. (The NIV errs in saying “deliberately keep on sinning.”)The same problem here as in 6:4-9. Has this person partaken of the benefits of the Holy Spirit and come to the point of salvation, understood it, then totally rejected Christ and is damned? If he rejects Christ, there is no other way of salvation. Or has he fully partaken and is born again. If so, he cannot lose his salvation, but may face extreme retribution from God, but not hell. One who has merely professed Christ may apostasize, turn his back totally on Christ, but these people in 6:9 and 10:39 had not.
v 28,29. People under Moses law could die for a fairly minor offense. The punishment would be much more severe for someone who so rejects Christ and the Holy Spirit.
v 30,31. God is the one who judges, He will take care of it, and for those people, it will be horrible. This applies also to believers.
v 32-33. The writer, reminds them of how, after the light came on in their minds and they understood the Gospel, they were made a public spectacle and suffered physical and mental abuse as early believers. Sometimes this was personal, and other times it was because they were not ashamed to be associated with other believers who were being persecuted. Also believers may undergo severe chastening.
v 34. The mention of their care for him while he was in bonds is so similar to Paul’s writings, that this reinforces the view that Paul is the writer. At any rate, they are reminded that though their houses have been plundered and their goods confiscated, they have a better and lasting possession in the future.
v 35. This is another and firm reminder not to throw away our confidence as believers, because the blessings that start with redemption continue on into riches in glory. This encouragement to confidence and faith and in verse 38 is a prelude to chapter 11.
v 36. Patience infers that the believer will not merely wait, but do so without anxiety or complaining, realizing that as God fulfilled his promise to Abraham, so He will to us.
v 37. Early believers looked upon the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in their lifetime as indication that Christ would come soon. Following and current events still lend to the belief that He will return soon. The 2000 year wait does not mean he is delaying. At the appointed time, He will come without delay.
v 38. A continuing challenge is for believers to live by faith, confident commitment to the Lord. Those who shrink back in fear do not lose their salvation, but lose their victory and are a disappointment to their leaders and the Lord. “My” refers to God, who will not have pleasure in them. We may not have pleasure in a disobedient child, but he is still our child.
v 39. Believers may draw back and lose reward, but the mention of perdition would seem to speak of apostates, professors who were never born again. The writer, along with fellow believers has truly believed to salvation.