Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice (Psalm 40:1–17)
1 CPDV For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection. BSB BSB: For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
2 CPDV Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin. BSB BSB: If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.
3 CPDV Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year. BSB BSB: Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4 CPDV For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats. BSB BSB: because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 CPDV For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me. BSB BSB: Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.
6 CPDV Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you. BSB BSB: In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.
7 CPDV Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.” BSB BSB: Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”
8 CPDV In the above, by saying, “Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law; BSB BSB: In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law).
9 CPDV then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ ” he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows. BSB BSB: Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.
10 CPDV For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
12 CPDV But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, sits at the right hand of God forever, BSB BSB: But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.
13 CPDV awaiting that time when his enemies will be made his footstool. BSB BSB: Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,
14 CPDV For, by one oblation, he has brought to fulfillment, for all time, those who are sanctified. BSB BSB: because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 CPDV Now the Holy Spirit also testifies for us about this. For afterward, he said: BSB BSB: The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
16 CPDV “And this is the testament which I will commit to them after those days, says the Lord. I will instill my laws in their hearts, and I will inscribe my laws on their minds. BSB BSB: “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.”
17 CPDV And I will no longer remember their sins and iniquities.” BSB BSB: Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
18 CPDV Now, when there is a remission of these things, there is no longer an oblation for sin. BSB BSB: And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed.
A Call to Persevere (Jude 1:17–23)
20 CPDV and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh, BSB BSB: by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
21 CPDV and in the Great Priest over the house of God. BSB BSB: and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 CPDV So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water. BSB BSB: let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
25 CPDV not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching. BSB BSB: Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 CPDV For if we sin willingly, after receiving knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice remaining for sins, BSB BSB: If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
27 CPDV but instead, a certain terrible expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire that shall consume its adversaries. BSB BSB: but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.
28 CPDV If someone dies for acting against the law of Moses, and is shown no compassion because of two or three witnesses, BSB BSB: Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 CPDV how much more, do you think, someone would deserve worse punishments, if he has tread upon the Son of God, and has treated the blood of the testament, by which he was sanctified, as unclean, and has acted with disgrace toward the Spirit of grace? BSB BSB: How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 CPDV For we know that he has said: “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” BSB BSB: For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
31 CPDV It is dreadful to fall into the hands of the living God. BSB BSB: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 CPDV But call to mind the former days, in which, after being enlightened, you endured a great struggle of afflictions. BSB BSB: Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering.
33 CPDV And certainly, in one way, by insults and tribulations, you were made a spectacle, but in another way, you became the companions of those who were the object of such behavior. BSB BSB: Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
34 CPDV For you even had compassion on those who were imprisoned, and you accepted with gladness being deprived of your goods, knowing that you have a better and more lasting substance. BSB BSB: You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
35 CPDV And so, do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward. BSB BSB: So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
36 CPDV For it is necessary for you to be patient, so that, by doing the will of God, you may receive the promise. BSB BSB: You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
37 CPDV “For, in a little while, and somewhat longer, he who is to come will return, and he will not delay. BSB BSB: For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 CPDV For my just man lives by faith. But if he were to draw himself back, he would not please my soul.” BSB BSB: But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
39 CPDV So then, we are not sons who are drawn away to perdition, but we are sons of faith toward the securing of the soul. BSB BSB: But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.