Hebrews 8

Jesus Our High Priest

8 <1> Here is the point of what we are saying: We have a high priest[67] like that, who sits on the right side[68] of God's throne in heaven. <2> Our high priest serves in the Most Holy Place.[69] He serves in the true place of worship[70] that was made by God, not by anyone here on earth.

<3> Every high priest has the work of offering gifts and sacrifices[71] to God. So our high priest must also offer something to God. <4> If our high priest were now living on earth, he would not be a priest. I say this because there are already priests here who follow the law by offering gifts to God. <5> The work that these priests do is really only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. That is why God warned Moses[72] when he was ready to build the Holy Tent[73]: "Be sure to make everything exactly like the pattern I showed you on the mountain."[74] <6> But the work that has been given to Jesus is much greater than the work that was given to those priests. In the same wa y, the new agreement[75] that Jesus brought from God to his people is much greater than the old one. And the new agreement is based on better promises.

<7> If there was nothing wrong with the first agreement,[76] then there would be no need for a second agreement. <8> But God found something wrong with the people. He said,

"The time is coming, says the Lord,

when I will give a new agreement to the people of Israel[77] and to the people of Judah.[78]

<9> It will not be like the agreement that I gave to their fathers.

That is the agreement I gave when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt.

They did not continue following the agreement I gave them,

and I turned away from them, says the Lord.

<10> This is the new agreement I will give the people of Israel.

I will give this agreement in the future, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their minds,

and I will write my laws on their hearts.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.

<11> Never again will anyone have to teach their neighbors or their family to know the Lord.

All people-the greatest and the least important-will know me.

<12> And I will forgive the wrongs they have done,

and I will not remember their sins."

Jeremiah 31:31-34

<13> God called this a new agreement, so he has made the first agreement old. And anything that is old and useless is ready to disappear.