but Jesus did so with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’” –

For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. So this one too had to have something to offer.

But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

and he entered once for all into the most holy place not by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood, and so he himself secured eternal redemption.

for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the consummation of the ages to put away sin by his sacrifice.

By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land as though it were a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise.

By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate, because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.

Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.

For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.

For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp.

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!

You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,

For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.

Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.