Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice (Psalm 40:1–17)
1 DRA 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: 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 DRA For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer: 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 DRA But in them there is made a commemoration of sins every year. BSB BSB: Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4 DRA For it is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin should be taken away. BSB BSB: because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 DRA Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith: Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldest not: but a body thou hast fitted to 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 DRA Holocausts for sin did not please thee. BSB BSB: In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.
7 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA Then said I: Behold, I come to do thy will, O God: he taketh away the first, that he may establish that which followeth. 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 DRA In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once. BSB BSB: And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
12 DRA But this man offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth on the right hand of God, 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 DRA From henceforth expecting, until his enemies be made his footstool. BSB BSB: Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,
14 DRA For by one oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. BSB BSB: because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 DRA And the Holy Ghost also doth testify this to us. For after that he said: BSB BSB: The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
16 DRA 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: 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 DRA And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more. BSB BSB: Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
18 DRA Now where there is a remission of these, there is no more 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 DRA A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, BSB BSB: by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
21 DRA And a high priest over the house of God: BSB BSB: and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 DRA 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. 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 DRA Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day 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 DRA For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice 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 DRA But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire which shall consume the adversaries. BSB BSB: but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.
28 DRA A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any mercy under 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 DRA 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? 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 DRA For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I will repay. And again: The Lord shall 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 DRA It is a fearful thing 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 DRA But call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight 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 DRA 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. BSB BSB: Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
34 DRA 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. 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 DRA Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward. BSB BSB: So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
36 DRA For patience is necessary for you; that, 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 DRA For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come, will come, and will not delay. BSB BSB: For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 DRA But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall 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 DRA But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but of faith to the saving 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.