1Now a summary of the things of which we are speaking is, We have such a one high priest who has sat down on the right hand of the throne of the greatness in the heavens;
2minister of the holy places and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord has pitched, and not man.
3For every high priest is constituted for the offering both of gifts and sacrifices; whence it is needful that this one also should have something which he may offer.
4If then indeed he were upon earth, he would not even be a priest, there being those who offer the gifts according to the law,
5(who serve the representation and shadow of heavenly things, according as Moses was oracularly told when about to make the tabernacle; for See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern which has been shewn to thee in the mountain.)
6But now he has got a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is mediator of a better covenant, which is established on the footing of better promises.
7For if that first was faultless, place had not been sought for a second.
8For finding fault, he says to them, Behold, days come, saith the Lord, and I will consummate a new covenant as regards the house of Israel, and as regards the house of Juda;
9not according to the covenant which I made to their fathers in the day of my taking their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in my covenant, and I did not regard them, saith the Lord.
10Because this is the covenant that I will covenant to the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: Giving my laws into their mind, I will write them also upon their hearts; and I will be to them for God, and they shall be to me for people.
11And they shall not teach each his fellow-citizen, and each his brother, saying, Know the Lord; because all shall know me in themselves, from the little one among them unto the great among them.
12Because I will be merciful to their unrighteousnesses, and their sins and their lawlessnesses I will never remember any more.
13In that he says New, he has made the first old; but that which grows old and aged is near disappearing.