Hebrews 8

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

1Here is the main point of what we are saying. We have a high priest like this. A high priest is the leader of the priests, the men who bring gifts to God. Our high priest sat down beside God's throne in heaven, in the place of honor.

2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

2He serves in the holy place, the true tent for meeting God. The Lord set up that tent himself. No person built it.

NoteThe "tabernacle" was a large tent. God told the people of Israel to build it so they could worship him there while they traveled.

3For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

3Every high priest is chosen to bring gifts and offerings to God. So our high priest had to have something to bring too.

4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

4If he were here on earth, he would not be a priest at all. There are already priests here who bring gifts, the way God's law says.

5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

5Those priests serve in a place that is only a copy of the real one in heaven. It is like a shadow of the real thing. That is why God warned Moses when Moses was going to build the tent. God said, "Be sure you make everything just like the plan I showed you on the mountain."

6But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

6But Jesus has been given a much better work to do. He is the go-between for a better agreement between God and people. That agreement is built on better promises.

NoteA "covenant" is a serious agreement between two sides, with promises on both sides. A "mediator" is a go-between who brings the two sides together.

7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

7If nothing had been wrong with the first agreement, there would be no need for a second one.

8For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

8But God found fault with the people. He said, "Listen. The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and the people of Judah.

9Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

9It will not be like the agreement I made with their fathers long ago. I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. But they did not keep my agreement. So I turned away from them, says the Lord.

10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

10This is the agreement I will make with the people of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds. I will write my laws on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

11No one will need to teach his neighbor or his brother, "Get to know the Lord." Everyone will already know me, from the smallest to the greatest.

12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

12I will forgive the wrong things they have done. I will not remember their sins anymore."

13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

13By calling this agreement new, God made the first one old. And what is old and worn out will soon be gone.