Hebrews 10 - New International Version (NIV)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow(A) of the good things(B) that are coming—not the realities themselves.(C) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect(D) those who draw near to worship.(E) 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.(F) 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.(G) 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats(H) to take away sins.(I)

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world,(J) he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;(K)
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll(L)—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”[a](M)

8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”(N)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”(O) He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy(P) through the sacrifice of the body(Q) of Jesus Christ once for all.(R)

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,(S) which can never take away sins.(T) 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,(U) he sat down at the right hand of God,(V) 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.(W) 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect(X) forever those who are being made holy.(Y)

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies(Z) to us about this. First he says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”[b](AA)

17 Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”[c](AB)

18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence(AC) to enter the Most Holy Place(AD) by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way(AE) opened for us through the curtain,(AF) that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest(AG) over the house of God,(AH) 22 let us draw near to God(AI) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,(AJ) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience(AK) and having our bodies washed with pure water.(AL) 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope(AM) we profess,(AN) for he who promised is faithful.(AO) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,(AP) 25 not giving up meeting together,(AQ) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another(AR)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(AS)

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning(AT) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,(AU) no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire(AV) that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.(AW) 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God(AX) underfoot,(AY) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant(AZ) that sanctified them,(BA) and who has insulted the Spirit(BB) of grace?(BC) 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d](BD) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[e](BE) 31 It is a dreadful thing(BF) to fall into the hands(BG) of the living God.(BH)

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,(BI) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.(BJ) 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;(BK) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.(BL) 34 You suffered along with those in prison(BM) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.(BN) 35 So do not throw away your confidence;(BO) it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere(BP) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.(BQ) 37 For,

“In just a little while,
he who is coming(BR) will come
and will not delay.”[f](BS)

38 And,

“But my righteous[g] one will live by faith.(BT)
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”[h](BU)

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
  2. Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33
  3. Hebrews 10:17 Jer. 31:34
  4. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:35
  5. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14
  6. Hebrews 10:37 Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3
  7. Hebrews 10:38 Some early manuscripts But the righteous
  8. Hebrews 10:38 Hab. 2:4 (see Septuagint)

Cross references

  1. Hebrews 10:1 : Col 2:17; Heb 8:5
  2. Hebrews 10:1 : Heb 9:11
  3. Hebrews 10:1 : Heb 9:23
  4. Hebrews 10:1 : ver 4, 11; S Heb 7:19
  5. Hebrews 10:1 : S Heb 7:19
  6. Hebrews 10:2 : Heb 9:9
  7. Hebrews 10:3 : Lev 16:34; Heb 9:7
  8. Hebrews 10:4 : Heb 9:12, 13
  9. Hebrews 10:4 : ver 1, 11
  10. Hebrews 10:5 : Heb 1:6
  11. Hebrews 10:5 : Heb 2:14; 1Pe 2:24
  12. Hebrews 10:7 : Ezr 6:2; Jer 36:2
  13. Hebrews 10:7 : Ps 40:6-8; S Mt 26:39
  14. Hebrews 10:8 : ver 5, 6; S Mk 12:33
  15. Hebrews 10:9 : ver 7
  16. Hebrews 10:10 : ver 14; S Eph 5:26
  17. Hebrews 10:10 : Heb 2:14; 1Pe 2:24
  18. Hebrews 10:10 : S Heb 7:27
  19. Hebrews 10:11 : Heb 5:1
  20. Hebrews 10:11 : ver 1, 4
  21. Hebrews 10:12 : Heb 5:1
  22. Hebrews 10:12 : S Mk 16:19
  23. Hebrews 10:13 : Jos 10:24; Heb 1:13
  24. Hebrews 10:14 : ver 1
  25. Hebrews 10:14 : ver 10; S Eph 5:26
  26. Hebrews 10:15 : S Heb 3:7
  27. Hebrews 10:16 : Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10
  28. Hebrews 10:17 : Jer 31:34; Heb 8:12
  29. Hebrews 10:19 : S Eph 3:12
  30. Hebrews 10:19 : Lev 16:2; Eph 2:18; Heb 9:8, 12, 25
  31. Hebrews 10:20 : Heb 9:8
  32. Hebrews 10:20 : Heb 6:19; 9:3
  33. Hebrews 10:21 : S Heb 2:17
  34. Hebrews 10:21 : S Heb 3:6
  35. Hebrews 10:22 : ver 1; S Heb 7:19
  36. Hebrews 10:22 : Eph 3:12
  37. Hebrews 10:22 : Eze 36:25; Heb 9:14; 12:24; 1Pe 1:2
  38. Hebrews 10:22 : S Ac 22:16
  39. Hebrews 10:23 : S Heb 3:6
  40. Hebrews 10:23 : S Heb 3:1
  41. Hebrews 10:23 : S 1Co 1:9
  42. Hebrews 10:24 : S Tit 2:14
  43. Hebrews 10:25 : Ac 2:42
  44. Hebrews 10:25 : Heb 3:13
  45. Hebrews 10:25 : S 1Co 3:13
  46. Hebrews 10:26 : Ex 21:14; Nu 15:30; Heb 5:2; 6:4-8; 2Pe 2:20
  47. Hebrews 10:26 : S 1Ti 2:4
  48. Hebrews 10:27 : Isa 26:11; 2Th 1:7; Heb 9:27; 12:29
  49. Hebrews 10:28 : Dt 17:6, 7; S Mt 18:16; Heb 2:2
  50. Hebrews 10:29 : S Mt 4:3
  51. Hebrews 10:29 : Heb 6:6
  52. Hebrews 10:29 : S Mt 26:28
  53. Hebrews 10:29 : 1Co 6:11; Rev 1:5
  54. Hebrews 10:29 : Eph 4:30; Heb 6:4
  55. Hebrews 10:29 : Heb 2:3; 12:25
  56. Hebrews 10:30 : Dt 32:35; Ro 12:19
  57. Hebrews 10:30 : Dt 32:36; Ps 135:14
  58. Hebrews 10:31 : S 2Co 5:11
  59. Hebrews 10:31 : Isa 19:16
  60. Hebrews 10:31 : S Mt 16:16
  61. Hebrews 10:32 : Heb 6:4
  62. Hebrews 10:32 : Php 1:29, 30
  63. Hebrews 10:33 : 1Co 4:9
  64. Hebrews 10:33 : Php 4:14; 1Th 2:14
  65. Hebrews 10:34 : Heb 13:3
  66. Hebrews 10:34 : Heb 11:16; 1Pe 1:4, 5
  67. Hebrews 10:35 : S Eph 3:12
  68. Hebrews 10:36 : Ro 5:3; Heb 12:1; Jas 1:3, 4, 12; 5:11; 2Pe 1:6
  69. Hebrews 10:36 : Heb 6:15; 9:15
  70. Hebrews 10:37 : Mt 11:3
  71. Hebrews 10:37 : Rev 22:20
  72. Hebrews 10:38 : Ro 1:17; Gal 3:11
  73. Hebrews 10:38 : Hab 2:3, 4

You Might Also Like:

Hebrews 10 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

10 For the law having a shadow of the coming good things -- not the very image of the matters, every year, by the same sacrifices that they offer continually, is never able to make perfect those coming near, 2 since, would they not have ceased to be offered, because of those serving having no more c...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

10 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, not that image of things, may never make men approaching perfect by those same sacrifices, which they offer without ceasing by all years; [Forsooth the law having shadow of goods to come, not that image of things, by all years by those same host...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

10 The law can show only a little about the good things that are coming. It cannot show the good things themselves. People come to worship God. But the law can never make them all right by the same sacrifices that are brought every year. 2 If the law could make people all right, they would stop maki...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - World English Bible (WEB)

10 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleanse...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - The Voice (VOICE)

He who embodied the sins of the world carries His own blood into the holy presence.10 We have seen how the law is simply a shadow of the good things to come. Since it is not the perfect form of these ultimate realities, the offering year after year of these imperfect sacrifices cannot bring perfecti...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Perfect Pardon in the New Covenant10 The Torah has a shadow of the good things to come—not the form itself of the realities. For this reason it can never, by means of the same sacrifices they offer constantly year after year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near.[a] 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceas...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased ...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

10 For the law, having the shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things, can never - with those sacrifices which they offer year by year continually - sanctify those who come to it. 2 For would they not, then, have ceased to have been offered, because those who offer (once purg...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Stopping of the Sacrifices10 The law, you see, possesses a shadow of the good things that are coming, not the actual form of the things themselves. Thus it is unable to make worshippers perfect through the annual round of the same sacrifices which are continually being offered. 2 If the worship...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it[a] can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased being...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the true form of these realities, it[a] can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach.(A)2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased bein...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

The old law has no power to cleanse away sin, but Christ did it with the offering of his body once and for all. An exhortation to receive this goodness of God thankfully, with patience and steadfast faith. 10 For the law, which has but the shadow of good things to come, and not the real things thems...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All10 The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing ...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - New Life Version (NLV)

In the Old Way of Worship Many Gifts Were Given10 The Law is like a picture of the good things to come. The Jewish religious leaders gave gifts on the altar in worship to God all the time year after year. Those gifts could not make the people who came to worship perfect. 2 If those gifts given to G...
Read More

Hebrews 10 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Animal Sacrifices Insufficient10 For the law, having a (A)shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, (B)can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered...
Read More