Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice (Psalm 40:1–17)
1 WBS For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers to them 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 WBS For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once cleansed, would have had no more conscience of sins. 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 WBS But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. BSB BSB: Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4 WBS For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. BSB BSB: because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 WBS Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared 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 WBS In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. BSB BSB: In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.
7 WBS Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written concerning me,) to 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 WBS Above, when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure in them ; which are offered by 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 WBS Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 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 WBS By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all . BSB BSB: And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
12 WBS But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down 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 WBS From henceforth waiting till his enemies are made his footstool. BSB BSB: Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,
14 WBS For by one offering 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 WBS Of this the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,BSB BSB: The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says:
16 WBS This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in 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 WBS And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. BSB BSB: Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
18 WBS Now where remission of these is , there is no more offering 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 WBS By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; BSB BSB: by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
21 WBS And having a high priest over the house of God; BSB BSB: and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 WBS Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure 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 WBS Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye 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 WBS For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more 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 WBS But a certain fearful apprehension of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. BSB BSB: but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.
28 WBS He that despised Moses' law, died without 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 WBS Of how much more severe punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite 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 WBS For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. 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 WBS 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 WBS But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye 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 WBS Partly, while ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while ye became companions of them that were so used. BSB BSB: Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
34 WBS For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the seizing of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring 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 WBS Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. BSB BSB: So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward.
36 WBS For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye 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 WBS For yet a little while, and he that is coming will come, and will not tarry. BSB BSB: For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 WBS Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man shall draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. BSB BSB: But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
39 WBS But we are not of them who draw back to perdition; but of them that believe 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.