The Earthly Sanctuary

¹ Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.

² For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;

³ and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,

⁴ 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;

⁵ and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Limitations of the Earthly Service

⁶ Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.

⁷ 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;

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.

⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Keeping the Word

²⁷ And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!"

²⁸ But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"