The Earthly Tabernacle (Exodus 40:1–33; Acts 7:44–47)
1 WBS Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. BSB BSB: Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.
2 WBS For there was a tabernacle made; the first, in which was the candlestick, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called the sanctuary. 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 WBS And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; BSB BSB: Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,
4 WBS Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid around with gold, in which was the golden pot that had 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 WBS And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. BSB BSB: Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6 WBS Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God : BSB BSB: When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.
7 WBS But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered 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 WBS The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was 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 WBS Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 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 WBS Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the 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 WBS But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 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 WBS Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood; he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us . 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 WBS For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctify to the purifying 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 WBS How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to 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 WBS And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they who are called may receive the promise of 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 WBS For where a testament is , there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. BSB BSB: In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it,
17 WBS For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator 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 WBS Hence even the first testament was not dedicated without blood. BSB BSB: That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
19 WBS For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book 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 WBS Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined to you. BSB BSB: saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”
21 WBS Moreover, he sprinkled likewise with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. BSB BSB: In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.
22 WBS And almost all things are by the law cleansed with blood; and without shedding of blood 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 WBS It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified 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 WBS Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 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 WBS For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared 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.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.