Christ's Eternal Priesthood
1Nowofthe things which we have spoken[this is] the sum:We havesuchan high priest,whois setonthe right handof the throneof the Majestyinthe heavens;2A ministerof the sanctuary,andof the TRUEtabernacle,whichthe Lordpitched,andnotman.3Foreveryhigh priestis ordainedtooffergiftsandsacrifices:wherefore[it is] of necessitythat this manhavesomewhatalsotooffer.4Forifhe wereonearth,he shouldnotbea priest,seeing that there areprieststhat offergiftsaccordingto the law:5Whoserveunto the exampleandshadowof heavenly things,asMoseswas admonished of Godwhen he was aboutto makethe tabernacle:for,See,saith he,[that] thou makeall thingsaccording tothe patternshewedto theeinthe mount.6Butnowhath he obtaineda more excellentministry,by how muchalsohe isthe mediatorof a bettercovenant,whichwas establisheduponbetterpromises.
The New Covenant
7Forifthatfirst[covenant] had beenfaultless,then shouldnoplacehave been soughtfor the second.
8Forfinding faultwith them,he saith,Behold,the dayscome,saiththe Lord,whenI will makea newcovenantwiththe houseof Israelandwiththe houseof Judah:
9Notaccording tothe covenantthatI made withtheirfathersinthe daywhen I tookthemby the handto leadthemout ofthe landof Egypt;becausetheycontinuednotinmycovenant,and Iregardedthemnot,saiththe Lord.
10Forthis[is] the covenantthatI will makewith the houseof Israelafterthosedays,saiththe Lord;I will putmylawsintotheirmind,andwritethemintheirhearts:andI will betothema God,andtheyshall betomea people:
11Andthey shallnotteachevery manhisneighbour,andevery manhisbrother,saying,Knowthe Lord:forallshall knowme,fromthe leasttothe greatest.
12ForI will bemercifulto theirunrighteousness,andtheirsinsandtheiriniquitieswill I remembernomore.
13Inthat he saith,A new[covenant], he hath madethe firstold.Nowthat which decayethandwaxeth old[is] readyto vanish away.
