As it is translates a strong Greek word for “But” (Revised Standard Version). Translator’s New Testament has “In fact the opposite happens.” As it is, however may be rendered as “But it happens that” or “Nevertheless, the truth is that.”

Revised Standard Version‘s “in these sacrifices” more probably means “by means of these sacrifices.” This means the same as Good News Translation, the sacrifices serve … to, but Good News Bible restructures the sentence.

“In” (Revised Standard Version) or “by these sacrifices” is literally “in them.” This phrase includes the confession of sin which went with the sacrifice.

Year after year is repeated for emphasis from verse 1. Revised Standard Version‘s “reminder,” which Good News Translation turns into a verb (remind), is better than the traditional “remembrance” of King James Version and Knox. For sacrifice as a reminder of sin, compare Numbers 5.15. A “reminder,” here as in Luke 22.19 and 1 Corinthians 11.24, is something said and done to make someone remember a past event.

Serve … to remind people of their sins may be rendered as “cause people to continually think about their sins” or “cause people never to forget about their sins.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .