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.
10 These rules are merely about such things as eating and drinking and ceremonies for washing ourselves. And rules about physical things will last only until the time comes to change them for something better.