⁴ If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.^{(A) 5} They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy^(B) and shadow^(C) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned^(D) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”^{[a](E) 6} But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant^(F) of which he is mediator^(G) is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

⁷ For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.^{(H) 8} But God found fault with the people and said^[b]:

¹³ By calling this covenant “new,”^(Q) he has made the first one obsolete;^(R) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(A) 19} to a trumpet blast^(B) or to such a voice speaking words^(C) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^{(D) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[a](E) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[b](F)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion,^(G) to the city^(H) of the living God,^(I) the heavenly Jerusalem.^(J) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(K) whose names are written in heaven.^(L) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(M) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{(N) 24} to Jesus the mediator^(O) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(P) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(Q)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(A) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(B) brought back from the dead^(C) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^(D)