John Calvin · 135 of 140

A Translation of Calvin's Version of The Epistle To The Hebrews · Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

1 Now of the things which have been said the sum is, — Such an high priest have we, that hath sat down on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens,

2 A minister of the sanctuary, even of the true tabernacle, which the Lord has pitched and not man.

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices: it is hence necessary that he also should have that which he might offer.

4 If indeed he were on earth, he could not be a priest, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law;

5 Who minister in [that which is] the exemplar and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was warned by the oracle, when he was about to make the tabernacle, “See,” he says, “that thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewn to thee in the mount.”

6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises.

7 For if the first had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he says, “Behold, the days are coming, saith the Lord, when I shall make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant;

9 Not according to the covenant I made with their fathers in the day when I laid hold on their hand to lead them up from the land of Egypt; because they have not continued in my covenant and I disregarded them, saith the Lord:

10 For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts will I write them; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people;

11 And they shall not teach every one his neighbor, and every one his brother, saying, Know thou the Lord; for all shall know me, from the least among them to the greatest;

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I no more remember.” By calling it new, he hath made old the first; and that which is old and aged is on the eve of vanishing.