1
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;
2
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, and not man.
3
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore
it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are
priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5
Who 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.
6
But 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.
7For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have
been sought for the second.
8
For 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:
9
Not 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.
10
For 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:
11
And 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.
12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their
iniquities will I remember no more.
13
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that
which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
8:1-13
Hebrews 8-11 - This sounds as if God is saying the old "do unto others" message of brotherly and neighborly kindness from Matthew 7:12 is no longer applicable. "And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother..." (v.11) Are we to presume that God merely wants people to be narrow-focused worshippers and nothing else?