Hebrews 10

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 thereunto perfect.

1God's law was like a shadow of good things coming later. It was not the real thing itself. The same animal gifts were offered to God year after year. Those gifts could never make the worshipers perfect.

2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

2If they could, people would have stopped bringing them. The worshipers would have been made clean once and for all. Then they would not still feel guilty about their sins.

3But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

3Instead, those gifts reminded people of their sins every single year.

4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

4The blood of bulls and goats simply cannot take sins away.

5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

5So when Christ came into the world, he said to God: "You did not want animal gifts or offerings. Instead you made a body ready for me.

6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

6You took no delight in animals burned for you or offered for sin.

7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

7Then I said, 'Here I am. It is written about me in the scroll, the rolled-up book. I have come to do what you want, God.'"

8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

8First he said, "You did not want animal gifts or offerings, burnt or given for sin. They did not please you." Yet the law told people to bring them.

9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

9Then he said, "Here I am. I have come to do what you want." He takes away the old way so he can start the new way.

10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

10Jesus did what God wanted. He gave his own body one time, for all time. That is how we are made clean and set apart for God.

11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

11Every priest stands and works day after day. A priest is a man who brings people's gifts to God. He offers the same gifts over and over. Those gifts can never take sins away.

12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

12But Jesus offered one gift for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down at God's right side, the place of honor.

13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

13Since then he waits until his enemies are put under his feet.

Note"Footstool" is a picture from long ago. A winning king would rest his feet on the one he beat. It means Jesus's enemies will be beaten.

14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

14By that one gift he made perfect forever the people being set apart for God.

15Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

15The Holy Spirit also tells us that this is true. First he says:

16This 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;

16"This is the promise I will make with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws inside their hearts. I will write them in their minds."

17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

17Then he says, "I will not remember their sins and their wrongs anymore."

18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

18When sins are forgiven like that, no more gifts for sin are needed.

19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

19So, brothers and sisters, we can walk right into the Most Holy Place. That was the special room where God met his people. The blood of Jesus makes us welcome there.

20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

20He opened a new and living way for us to come in. It leads through the curtain, and the curtain means his own body.

21And having an high priest over the house of God;

21We also have a great priest who is in charge of God's house.

22Let 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.

22So let us come close to God with honest hearts and full trust. Our hearts have been washed clean of guilty feelings. Our bodies have been washed with clean water.

23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

23Let us hold on tight to the hope we talk about. God always keeps his promises.

24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

24Let us think of ways to stir each other up to love and do good.

25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

25Some people have made a habit of skipping the meetings. Let us not do that. Let us cheer each other on. Do it even more as you see the Day coming closer.

26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

26Suppose we keep on sinning on purpose after we know the truth. Then no other gift for sins is left for us.

27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

27All that is left is a scary wait for God to judge. A blazing fire will burn up those who fight against him.

28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

28Anyone who threw away the law of Moses was put to death. Two or three people had to speak against him. No mercy was given.

NoteIn the law of Moses, no one could be put to death unless at least two people spoke up and said they saw the wrong.

29Of how much sorer 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, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

29Now think about a person who steps on God's Son. He treats the blood of God's promise as if it were dirty. That blood had set him apart for God. He insults the Spirit who brings God's kindness. How much worse should his punishment be?

30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

30We know the one who said, "Paying back wrong belongs to me. I will repay, says the Lord." He also said, "The Lord will judge his people."

31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

31It is a scary thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

32But remember the early days, after God gave you his light. In those days you went through a hard fight and much suffering.

33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

33Sometimes people made fun of you and hurt you in front of everyone. Other times you stood beside friends who were treated that way.

34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

34You cared about me when I was in chains. People took your things away, and you were still glad. You knew you had something better that lasts forever.

35Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

35So do not throw away your brave trust. It brings a great reward.

36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

36You need to keep going and not give up. Do what God wants. Then you will get what he promised.

37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

37"In just a little while, the one who is coming will come. He will not be late.

38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

38The person who is right with me will live by trusting me. But if he pulls back, I will not be pleased with him."

39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

39We are not people who pull back and are lost. We are people who trust God and are kept safe.