⁹ This is an illustration^(A) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered^(B) were not able to clear the conscience^(C) of the worshiper.

¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(A) and drink^(B) and various ceremonial washings^(C)—external regulations^(D) applying until the time of the new order.

¹⁸ This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.^{(A) 19} When Moses had proclaimed^(B) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,^(C) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.^{(D) 20} He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”^{[a](E) 21} In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. ²² In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,^(F) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.^(G)

²³ It was necessary, then, for the copies^(H) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.