Letters to the Churches

For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of the world. But now once, at the end of ages, he hath appeared for the destruction of sin by the sacrifice of himself.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment:

So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many. The second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto salvation.

For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, by the selfsame sacrifices which they offer continually every year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect.

For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer.

But in them there is made a commemoration of sins every year:

For it is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin should be taken away.

Wherefore, when he cometh into the world he saith: Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldest not: but a body thou hast fitted to me.

Holocausts for sin did not please thee.

Then said I: Behold I come: in the head of the book it is written of me: that I should do thy will, O God.

In saying before, Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin thou wouldest not, neither are they pleasing to thee, which are offered according to the law.

Then said I: Behold, I come to do thy will, O God: He taketh away the first, that he may establish that which followeth.

In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once.

And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering and often offering the same sacrifices which can never take away sins.

But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth on the right hand of God,

From henceforth expecting until his enemies be made his footstool.

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

And the Holy Ghost also doth testify this to us. For after that he said:

And this is the testament which I will make unto them after those days, saith the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts and on their minds will I write them:

And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.

Now, where there is a remission of these, there is no more an oblation for sin.

Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ:

A new and living way which he hath dedicated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh:

And a high priest over the house of God:

Let us draw near with a true heart, in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with clean water.