Because of the insufficiency of the sacrifices of the law, Christ our
high priest shed his own blood for us, offering up once for all the
sacrifice of our redemption. He exhorts them to perseverance.
10:1. For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the
very image of the things, by the selfsame sacrifices which they offer
continually every year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect.
10:2. For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the
worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer.
They would have ceased.... If they had been of themselves perfect to
all the intents of redemption and remission, as Christ’s death is there
would have been no occasion of so often repeating them: as there is no
occasion for Christ’s dying any more for our sins.
10:3. But in them there is made a commemoration of sins every year:
10:4. For it is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin
should be taken away.
10:5. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world he saith: Sacrifice and
oblation thou wouldest not: but a body thou hast fitted to me.
10:6. Holocausts for sin did not please thee.
10:7. Then said I: Behold I come: in the head of the book it is written
of me: that I should do thy will, O God.
10:8. In saying before, Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for
sin thou wouldest not, neither are they pleasing to thee, which are
offered according to the law.
10:9. Then said I: Behold, I come to do thy will, O God: He taketh away
the first, that he may establish that which followeth.
10:10. In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body
of Jesus Christ once.
10:11. And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering and often
offering the same sacrifices which can never take away sins.
10:12. But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth
on the right hand of God,
10:13. From henceforth expecting until his enemies be made his
footstool.
10:14. For by one oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified.
10:15. And the Holy Ghost also doth testify this to us. For after that
he said:
10:16. And this is the testament which I will make unto them after
those days, saith the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts and on
their minds will I write them:
10:17. And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.
10:18. Now, where there is a remission of these, there is no more an
oblation for sin.
There is no more an oblation for sin.... Where there is a full
remission of sins, as in baptism, there is no more occasion for a sin
offering to be made for such sins already remitted; and as for sins
committed afterwards, they can only be remitted in virtue of the one
oblation of Christ’s death.
10:19. Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into
the holies by the blood of Christ:
10:20. A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the
veil, that is to say, his flesh:
10:21. And a high priest over the house of God:
10:22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in fulness of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with
clean water.
10:23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering
(for he is faithful that hath promised):
10:24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to
good works:
10:25. Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed: but
comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day
approaching.
10:26. For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth,
there is now left no sacrifice for sins:
If we sin wilfully.... He speaks of the sin of wilful apostasy from the
known truth; after which, as we can not be baptized again, we can not
expect to have that abundant remission of sins, which Christ purchased
by his death, applied to our souls in that ample manner as it is in
baptism: but we have rather all manner of reason to look for a dreadful
judgment; the more because apostates from the known truth, seldom or
never have the grace to return to it.
10:27. But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of
a fire which shall consume the adversaries.
10:28. A man making void the law of Moses dieth without any mercy under
two or three witnesses:
10:29. How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who
hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath esteemed the blood of
the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an
affront to the Spirit of grace?
10:30. For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I
will repay. And again: The Lord shall judge his people.
10:31. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
10:32. But call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated,
you endured a great fight of afflictions.
10:33. And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were
made a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that
were used in such sort.
10:34. For you both had compassion on them that were in bands and took
with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a
better and a lasting substance.
10:35. Do not therefore lose your confidence which hath a great reward.
10:36. For patience is necessary for you: that, doing the will of God,
you may receive the promise.
10:37. For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come
will come and will not delay.
10:38. But my just man liveth by faith: but if he withdraw himself, he
shall not please my soul.
10:39. But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but
of faith to the saving of the soul.