3 Behind the curtain was the most holy place.
4 The gold altar for burning incense was in this holy place. The gold-covered sacred chest was also there, and inside it were three things. First, there was a gold jar filled with manna. Then there was Aaron's walking stick that sprouted. Finally, there were the flat stones with the Ten Commandments written on them.
5 On top of the chest were the glorious creatures with wings opened out above the place of mercy.Now isn't the time to go into detail about these things.
6 But this is how everything was when the priests went each day into the first part of the tent to do their duties.
7 However, only the high priest could go into the second part of the tent, and he went in only once a year. Each time he carried blood to offer for his sins and for any sins that the people had committed without meaning to.
8 All of this is the Holy Spirit's way of saying no one could enter the most holy place while the tent was still the place of worship.
9 This also has a meaning for today. It shows we cannot make our consciences clear by offering gifts and sacrifices.