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which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
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and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
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Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.
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But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance;
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the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
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It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience--
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concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
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But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
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Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
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For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
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how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?