The Earthly Tabernacle (Exodus 40:1–33; Acts 7:44–47)
1 RV Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world. BSB BSB: Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.
2 RV For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the Holy place. BSB BSB: A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.
3 RV And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies; BSB BSB: Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,
4 RV having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; BSB BSB: containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
5 RV and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which things we cannot now speak severally. BSB BSB: Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6 RV Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; BSB BSB: When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.
7 RV but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people: BSB BSB: But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
8 RV the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while as the first tabernacle is yet standing; BSB BSB: By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.
9 RV which is a parable for the time now present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect, BSB BSB: It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.
10 RV being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.BSB BSB: They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
Redemption through His Blood 11 RV But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, BSB BSB: But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.
12 RV nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. BSB BSB: He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
13 RV For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: BSB BSB: For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean,
14 RV how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? BSB BSB: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
15 RV And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. BSB BSB: Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
16 RV For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it. BSB BSB: In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it,
17 RV For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for doth it ever avail while he that made it liveth? BSB BSB: because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive.
18 RV Wherefore even the first covenant hath not been dedicated without blood. BSB BSB: That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
19 RV For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses unto all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself, and all the people, BSB BSB: For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people,
20 RV saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward. BSB BSB: saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”
21 RV Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled in like manner with the blood. BSB BSB: In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.
22 RV And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission. BSB BSB: According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 RV It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. BSB BSB: So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
25 RV nor yet that he should offer himself often; as the high priest entereth into the holy place year by year with blood not his own; BSB BSB: Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.
26 RV else must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once at the end of the ages hath he been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. BSB BSB: Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
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