A Heavenly Priesthood

# Chapter 8
1. Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
2. a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man.
3. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore, it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.
4. Now if he were on earth, he wouldn't be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts prescribed by the law.
5. These serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, <b class="quote">Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.**
6. But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises.

A Superior Covenant


7. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one.
8. But finding fault with his people, he says:
<b class="quote">See, the days are coming, says the Lord,**
<b class="quote">
when I will make a new covenant**
<b class="quote">
with the house of Israel**
<b class="quote">and with the house of Judah--**

9. <b class="quote">not like the covenant**
<b class="quote">that 
I made with their ancestors**
<b class="quote">
on the day I took them by the hand**
<b class="quote">to lead them out of the land of Egypt.**
<b class="quote">I showed no concern for them, says the Lord,**
<b class="quote">because they did not continue in my covenant.**

10. <b class="quote">For this is the covenant**
<b class="quote">that I will make 
with the house of Israel**
<b class="quote">after those days, says the Lord:**
<b class="quote">
I will put my laws into their minds**
<b class="quote">and write them on their hearts.**
<b class="quote">
I will be their God,**
<b class="quote">
and they will be my people.**

11. <b class="quote">And each person will not teach his fellow citizen,**
<b class="quote">and each his brother or sister, saying, "Know the Lord,"**
<b class="quote">because they will all know me,**
<b class="quote">from the least to the greatest of them.**

12. <b class="quote">For I will forgive their wrongdoing,**
<b class="quote">and I will never again remember their sins.**

13. By saying <b class="quote">a new covenant**, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.




