Graphic Bible · Scene 3 of 4

Moses before an anonymous assembled wilderness congregation holding a small bundle of hyssop above a shallow basin; an unrolled scroll with blank reverse rests nearby. Restrained dark red traces on the basin edge, no wounds, no gore; solemn covenant rite.
Artwork is an interpretation. Scripture is quoted from the People's Open Bible.

Hebrews 9:15-22

The covenant and the cost

A cleansed conscience · Hebrews 9

Story guide: The letter recalls the inauguration of the first covenant and the cost associated with cleansing and forgiveness.

Open this scene in the reader →

15And for this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

16For where there is a covenant, it is necessary for the death of the one who made it to be brought forward.

17For a covenant is valid over dead ones, since it is never in force while the one who made it is living.

18Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.

19For when every commandment according to the law had been spoken by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of the calves with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people,

20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.”

21And likewise he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.

22And according to the law, almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Step through the story beside the Scripture itself. About the People’s Open Bible