Hebrews 8

1Here is the main point of what we are saying: We have a high priest like this. He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.

2He serves inside the true, sacred sanctuary of heaven! The Lord Himself built this holy place, not human hands.

3Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices, so this high priest also had to have something to offer.

4If He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are already priests who offer the gifts the law requires.

5Earthly priests serve in a sanctuary that is only a shadow. It is just a faint copy of the real sanctuary in heaven! God warned Moses when he prepared to build the earthly tent: Make sure you follow the exact blueprint I showed you on Mount Sinai!

6But the work Jesus has been given is far greater, just as the agreement He brings is better, because it is built on better promises.

7For if there had been nothing wrong with that first agreement, there would have been no need for a second one.

8But God found fault with the people. He said: The days are coming when I will make a brand-new agreement with the people of Israel and the people of Judah!

9It will not be like the agreement I made with their ancestors. Back then, I took them gently by the hand to lead them out of Egypt. Yet they broke my agreement, so I turned away from them.

10Here is the new agreement I will make with them: I will place my laws directly into their minds! I will engrave my laws upon their very hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my holy people!

11No one will need to teach their neighbor, saying: Know the Lord. For everyone will know me personally, from the least to the greatest!

12I will show mercy and wipe away their wicked sins. I will remember their rebellious deeds no more!

13By calling this agreement new, God declared the first one obsolete. Whatever becomes old and worn out will soon vanish completely!