1 A nd the sum concerning the things spoken of: we have such a chief priest, who did sit down at the right hand of the throne of the greatness in the heavens,

Now the important thing is this: We have such a Religious Leader Who has made the way for man to go to God. He is the One Who sits at the right side of the All-powerful God in the heavens.

2 o f the holy places a servant, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord did set up, and not man,

He is the Religious Leader of that holy place in heaven which is the true place of worship. It was built by the Lord and not by men’s hands.

3 f or every chief priest to offer both gifts and sacrifices is appointed, whence necessary for this one to have also something that he may offer;

Every religious leader of the Old Way of Worship had the work of killing animals and of giving gifts on the altar to God. So Christ had to have something to give also.

4 f or if, indeed, he were upon earth, he would not be a priest -- (there being the priests who are offering according to the law, the gifts,

If Christ were on the earth, He would not be a religious leader such as these. The religious leaders on earth give gifts like the Law says.

5 w ho unto an example and shadow do serve of the heavenly things, as Moses hath been divinely warned, being about to construct the tabernacle, for `See (saith He) thou mayest make all things according to the pattern that was shewn to thee in the mount;') --

Their work shows us only a picture of the things in heaven. When Moses was putting up the tent to worship in, God told him, “Be sure you make the tent for worship like I showed you on Mount Sinai.”

6 a nd now he hath obtained a more excellent service, how much also of a better covenant is he mediator, which on better promises hath been sanctioned,

But Christ has a more perfect work. He is the One Who goes between God and man in this new and better way. The New Way of Worship promises better things.

7 f or if that first were faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second.

If the Old Way of Worship had been perfect, there would have been no need for another one.

8 F or finding fault, He saith to them, `Lo, days come, saith the Lord, and I will complete with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, a new covenant,

God was not happy how the people lived by the Old Way of Worship. He said, “The day will come when I will make a New Way of Worship for the Jews and those of the family group of Judah.

9 n ot according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day of My taking by their hand, to bring them out of the land of Egypt -- because they did not remain in My covenant, and I did not regard them, saith the Lord, --

The New Way of Worship will not be like the Old Way of Worship I gave to their early fathers. That was when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. But they did not follow the Old Way of Worship. And so I turned away from them.

10 b ecause this the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord, giving My laws into their mind, and upon their hearts I will write them, and I will be to them for a God, and they shall be to Me for a people;

This is the New Way of Worship that I will give to the Jews. When that day comes, says the Lord, I will put My Laws into their minds. And I will write them in their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.

11 a nd they shall not teach each his neighbour, and each his brother, saying, Know thou the Lord, because they shall all know Me from the small one of them unto the great one of them,

No one will need to teach his neighbor or his brother to know the Lord. All of them will already know Me from the least to the greatest.

12 b ecause I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawlessnesses I will remember no more;' --

I will show loving-kindness to them and forgive their sins. I will remember their sins no more.”

13 i n the saying `new,' He hath made the first old, and what doth become obsolete and is old nigh disappearing.

When God spoke about a New Way of Worship, He showed that the Old Way of Worship was finished and of no use now. It will never be used again.