9 The first agreement had sacred rites and a holy place here on earth, 2 because the tent of worship was set up with a outer room called ‘the holy place’[ref] where both the lampstand[ref] and the table were placed and the ‘bread of the presence’.[ref] 3 Then past the second curtain was a room called ‘the most holy place’[ref] 4 having the golden incense altar[ref] and the box of the agreement which was completely gold-plated[ref] and which contained a golden jar of manna[ref] and Aharon’s (Aaron’s) staff which had sprouted[ref] and the stone tablets inscribed with the commands.[ref] 5 On the top of the box were the cherubs OF GLORY with their wings stretched out over the mercy seat[ref] which we won’t talk about right now.

6 And then with all of that having been prepared, the priests entered past everything in the first room of the tent to carry out their sacred services.[ref] 7 However, only the high priest enters the second room, and then only once a year. He can’t go with taking in blood which he offers for the sins of ignorance done by both himself and by the people.[ref] 8 By that, the holy spirit was making it clear that the way into that holy place was not yet open to the public as long as that first tent of worship was still standing. 9 This was an illustration intended for the present time when gifts and sacrifices are still being offered, but are not able to make the conscience of the one serving perfect—10 only just physical matters of food and drinks and ritual washings—until the reformed system is instigated.