Instructions to Those Who Minister

6 ^(A)All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor ^(B)so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be ^[a]spoken against. ² Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are ^(C)brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more, because those who ^[b]partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. ^(D)Teach and ^[c]preach these principles.

³ If anyone ^(E)advocates a different doctrine and does not ^[d]agree with ^(F)sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine ^(G)conforming to godliness, ⁴ he is ^(H)conceited and understands nothing; but he ^[e]has a sick craving for ^(I)controversial questions and ^(J)disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between ^(K)people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who ^(L)suppose that ^[f]godliness is a means of gain. ^6 (M)But godliness actually is a means of ^(N)great gain when accompanied by ^(O)contentment. ⁷ For ^(P)we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. ⁸ If we ^(Q)have food and ^[g]covering, with these we shall be content. ^9 (R)But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and ^(S)a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For ^(T)the love of money is a root of all ^[h]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have ^(U)wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many ^[i]griefs.

¹¹ But ^(V)flee from these things, you ^(W)man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, ^(X)faith, ^(Y)love, ^[j]perseverance, and gentleness. ^12 (Z)Fight the good fight of ^(AA)faith; ^(AB)take hold of the eternal life ^(AC)to which you were called, and for which you made the good ^(AD)confession in the presence of ^(AE)many witnesses. ^13 (AF)I direct you in the presence of God, who ^[k]gives life to all things, and of ^(AG)Christ Jesus, who testified the ^(AH)good confession ^(AI)before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ that you keep the commandment without ^[l]fault or reproach until the ^(AJ)appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which He will ^[m]bring about at ^(AK)the proper time—He who is ^(AL)the blessed and ^(AM)only Sovereign, ^(AN)the King of ^[n]kings and ^(AO)Lord of ^[o]lords, ^16 (AP)who alone possesses immortality and ^(AQ)dwells in unapproachable light, ^(AR)whom ^[p]no one has seen or can see. ^(AS)To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in ^(AT)this present world ^(AU)not to be conceited or to ^(AV)set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, ^(AW)who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do good, to be rich in ^(AX)good ^[q]works, ^(AY)to be generous and ready to share, ^19 (AZ)storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may ^(BA)take hold of that which is truly life.

^20 (BB)Timothy, protect ^(BC)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding ^(BD)worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— ²¹ which some have professed and thereby have ^(BE)gone astray ^[r]from ^(BF)the faith.

^(BG)Grace be with you.

Timothy Charged to Guard His Trust

1 Paul, ^(A)an apostle of ^(B)Christ Jesus ^[a](C)by the will of God, according to the promise of ^(D)life in Christ Jesus,

² To ^(E)Timothy, my beloved ^[b](F)son: ^(G)Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

^3 (H)I thank God, whom I ^(I)serve with a ^(J)clear conscience ^[c]the way my forefathers did, ^(K)as I constantly remember you in my ^[d]prayers night and day, ^4 (L)longing to see you, ^(M)even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. ^5 [e]For I am mindful of the ^(N)sincere faith within you, which first dwelled in your grandmother Lois and ^(O)your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh ^(P)the gift of God which is in you through ^(Q)the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a ^(R)spirit of ^[f]timidity, but of power and love and ^[g]discipline.

⁸ Therefore ^(S)do not be ashamed of the ^(T)testimony of our Lord or of me ^(U)His prisoner, but join with me in ^(V)suffering for the ^(W)gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who ^(X)saved us and ^(Y)called us with a holy ^(Z)calling, ^(AA)not according to our works, but according to His own ^(AB)purpose and grace, which was granted to us in ^(AC)Christ Jesus from ^(AD)all eternity, ¹⁰ but has ^(AE)now been revealed by the ^(AF)appearing of our Savior ^(AG)Christ Jesus, who ^(AH)abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ^11 (AI)for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. ¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; but ^(AJ)I am not ashamed, for I know ^(AK)whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to ^(AL)protect what I have entrusted to Him ^[h]until ^(AM)that day. ^13 (AN)Hold on to the ^(AO)example of ^(AP)sound words ^(AQ)which you have heard from me, in the ^(AR)faith and love which are in ^(AS)Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Protect, through the Holy Spirit who ^(AT)dwells in us, the ^[i](AU)treasure which has been entrusted to you.

¹⁵ You are aware of the fact that all who are in ^[j](AV)Asia ^(AW)turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ The Lord grant mercy to ^(AX)the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and ^(AY)was not ashamed of my ^[k](AZ)chains; ¹⁷ but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— ¹⁸ the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on ^(BA)that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at ^(BB)Ephesus.

Be Strong

2 You therefore, my ^[l](BC)son, ^(BD)be strong in the grace that is in ^(BE)Christ Jesus. ² The things ^(BF)which you have heard from me in the presence of ^(BG)many witnesses, ^(BH)entrust these to ^(BI)faithful ^[m]people who will be ^(BJ)able to teach others also. ^3 (BK)Suffer hardship with me, as a good ^(BL)soldier of ^(BM)Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier in active service ^(BN)entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And if someone likewise ^(BO)competes as an athlete, he is not ^[n]crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules. ^6 (BP)The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, ^(BQ)risen from the dead, ^(BR)descendant of David, ^(BS)according to my gospel, ^9 [o]for which I ^(BT)suffer hardship even to ^(BU)imprisonment as a ^(BV)criminal; but ^(BW)the word of God ^(BX)is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For this reason ^(BY)I endure all things for ^(BZ)the sake of ^[p]those who are chosen, ^(CA)so that they also may obtain the ^(CB)salvation which is in ^(CC)Christ Jesus and with it ^(CD)eternal glory. ^11 (CE)The statement is trustworthy:

An Unashamed Worker

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and solemnly ^(CK)exhort them in the presence of God not to ^(CL)dispute about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the listeners. ¹⁵ Be diligent to ^(CM)present yourself approved to God as a worker who ^[r]does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling ^(CN)the word of truth. ¹⁶ But ^(CO)avoid ^(CP)worldly and empty chatter, for ^[s]it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their ^[t]talk will spread like ^[u]gangrene. Among them are ^(CQ)Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that ^(CR)the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing ^(CS)the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, the ^(CT)firm foundation of God stands, having this ^(CU)seal: “^(CV)The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “^(CW)Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”

²⁰ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and ^(CX)some are for honor while others are for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from ^(CY)these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, ^(CZ)prepared for every good work. ²² Now ^(DA)flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, ^(DB)faith, love, and peace with those who ^(DC)call on the Lord ^(DD)from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant ^(DE)speculations, knowing that they ^(DF)produce ^[v]quarrels. ^24 (DG)The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, ^(DH)skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ^25 (DI)with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, ^(DJ)if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to ^(DK)the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from ^(DL)the snare of the devil, having been ^(DM)held captive ^[w]by him to do his will.

Difficult Times Will Come

3 But realize this, that ^(DN)in the last days difficult times will come. ² For people will be ^(DO)lovers of self, ^(DP)lovers of money, ^(DQ)boastful, ^(DR)arrogant, ^(DS)slanderers, ^(DT)disobedient to parents, ^(DU)ungrateful, ^(DV)unholy, ^3 (DW)unloving, irreconcilable, ^(DX)malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, ^[x](DY)haters of good, ^4 (DZ)treacherous, ^(EA)reckless, ^(EB)conceited, ^(EC)lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of ^[y](ED)godliness although they have ^(EE)denied its power; ^(EF)avoid such people as these. ⁶ For among them are those who ^[z](EG)slip into households and captivate ^[aa](EH)weak women weighed down with sins, led on by ^(EI)various impulses, ⁷ always learning and never able to ^(EJ)come to the ^[ab]knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as ^(EK)Jannes and Jambres ^(EL)opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, ^(EM)men of depraved mind, ^[ac]worthless in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress; for their ^(EN)foolishness will be obvious to all, just ^(EO)as was that also of ^[ad]Jannes and Jambres.

¹⁰ Now you ^(EP)followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, ^(EQ)love, ^[ae]perseverance, ^11 (ER)persecutions, and ^(ES)sufferings, such as happened to me at ^(ET)Antioch, at ^(EU)Iconium, and at ^(EV)Lystra; what ^(EW)persecutions I endured, and out of them all ^(EX)the Lord rescued me! ¹² Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus ^(EY)will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and impostors ^(EZ)will proceed from bad to worse, ^(FA)deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ You, however, ^(FB)continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that ^(FC)from childhood you have known ^(FD)the sacred writings which are able to ^(FE)give you the wisdom that leads to ^(FF)salvation through faith which is in ^(FG)Christ Jesus. ^16 (FH)All Scripture is ^[af]inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for ^[ag]rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that ^(FI)the man or woman of God may be ^[ah]fully capable, ^(FJ)equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

4 ^(FK)I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to ^(FL)judge the living and the dead, and by His ^(FM)appearing and His kingdom: ² preach ^(FN)the word; be ready ^[ai]in season and out of season; ^(FO)correct, rebuke, and ^[aj]exhort, with ^[ak]great ^(FP)patience and instruction. ³ For ^(FQ)the time will come when they will not tolerate ^(FR)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, ⁴ and they ^(FS)will turn their ears away from the truth and ^(FT)will turn aside to myths. ⁵ But as for you, ^(FU)use self-restraint in all things, ^(FV)endure hardship, do the work of an ^(FW)evangelist, fulfill your ^(FX)ministry.

⁶ For I am already being ^(FY)poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^(FZ)my departure has come. ^7 (GA)I have fought the good fight, I have finished ^(GB)the course, I have kept ^(GC)the faith; ⁸ in the future there ^(GD)is reserved for me ^(GE)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on ^(GF)that day; and not only to me, but also to ^(GG)all who have loved His ^(GH)appearing.

Personal Concerns

^9 (GI)Make every effort to come to me soon; ¹⁰ for ^(GJ)Demas, having loved ^(GK)this present ^[al]world, has deserted me and gone to ^(GL)Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to ^[am](GM)Galatia, ^(GN)Titus to Dalmatia. ^11 (GO)Only ^(GP)Luke is with me. Take along ^(GQ)Mark and bring him with you, ^(GR)for he is useful to me for service. ¹² But I have sent ^(GS)Tychicus to ^(GT)Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at ^(GU)Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. ^14 (GV)Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; ^(GW)the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our ^[an]teaching.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; ^(GX)may it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and ^(GY)strengthened me, so that through me ^(GZ)the proclamation might ^[ao]be ^(HA)fully accomplished, and that all ^(HB)the Gentiles might hear; and I was ^(HC)rescued out of ^(HD)the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will ^[ap](HE)bring me safely to His ^(HF)heavenly kingdom; ^(HG)to ^[aq]Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁹ Greet Prisca and ^(HH)Aquila, and ^(HI)the household of Onesiphorus. ^20 (HJ)Erastus remained at ^(HK)Corinth, but I left ^(HL)Trophimus sick at ^(HM)Miletus. ^21 (HN)Make every effort to come before ^(HO)winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.

^22 (HP)The Lord be with your spirit. ^(HQ)Grace be with you.

Salutation

1 Paul, ^(A)a bond-servant of God and an ^(B)apostle of Jesus Christ, ^[a]for the faith of those ^(C)chosen of God and ^(D)the knowledge of the truth which is ^(E)according to godliness, ² in ^(F)the hope of eternal life, which God, ^(G)who cannot lie, ^(H)promised ^[b](I)long ages ago, ³ but ^(J)at the proper time revealed His word in ^(K)the proclamation ^(L)with which I was entrusted ^(M)according to the commandment of ^(N)God our Savior;

⁴ To ^(O)Titus, ^(P)my true ^[c]son ^[d]in a ^(Q)common faith: ^(R)Grace and peace from God the Father and ^(S)Christ Jesus our Savior.

Qualifications of Elders

⁵ For this reason I left you in ^(T)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and ^(U)appoint ^(V)elders in every city as I directed you, ⁶ namely, ^(W)if any man is beyond reproach, the ^(X)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of ^(Y)indecent behavior or ^(Z)rebellion. ⁷ For the ^[e](AA)overseer must be beyond reproach as ^(AB)God’s steward, not ^(AC)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not ^(AD)overindulging in wine, not ^[f]a bully, ^(AE)not greedy for money, ⁸ but ^(AF)hospitable, ^(AG)loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, ^9 (AH)holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to ^[g]exhort in ^(AI)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

^10 (AJ)For there are many ^(AK)rebellious people, ^(AL)empty talkers and deceivers, especially ^(AM)those of the circumcision, ¹¹ who must be silenced because they are upsetting ^(AN)whole families, teaching ^(AO)things they should not teach ^(AP)for the sake of ^[h]dishonest gain. ¹² One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “^(AQ)Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This testimony is true. For this reason ^(AR)reprimand them ^(AS)severely so that they may be ^(AT)sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not paying attention to Jewish ^(AU)myths and ^(AV)commandments of men who ^(AW)turn away from the truth. ^15 (AX)To the pure, all things are pure; but ^(AY)to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their ^(AZ)mind and their conscience are defiled. ^16 (BA)They profess to know God, but by their deeds they ^(BB)deny Him, being ^(BC)detestable and ^(BD)disobedient and ^(BE)worthless ^(BF)for any good deed.

Proclaim Sound Doctrine

2 But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for ^(BG)sound doctrine. ^2 (BH)Older men are to be ^[i](BI)temperate, dignified, self-controlled, ^(BJ)sound ^(BK)in faith, in love, in ^[j]perseverance.

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, ^(BL)not malicious gossips nor ^(BM)enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may ^[k]encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, ^(BN)workers at home, kind, being ^(BO)subject to their own husbands, ^(BP)so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

⁶ Likewise urge ^(BQ)the young men to be ^[l]sensible; ⁷ in all things show yourself to be ^(BR)an example of good deeds, with ^[m]purity in doctrine, dignified, ⁸ sound in speech which is beyond reproach, ^(BS)so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Urge ^[n](BT)slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not ^[o]argumentative, ¹⁰ not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of ^(BU)God our Savior in every respect.

¹¹ For the grace of God has ^(BV)appeared, ^[p](BW)bringing salvation to all people, ^12 [q]instructing us to deny ungodliness and ^(BX)worldly desires and ^(BY)to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner ^(BZ)in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the ^(CA)appearing of the glory of ^[r](CB)our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ who ^(CC)gave Himself for us ^(CD)to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to ^(CE)purify for Himself a ^(CF)people for His own possession, ^(CG)eager for good deeds.

¹⁵ These things speak and ^(CH)[s]exhort, and ^(CI)rebuke with all authority. ^(CJ)No one is to disregard you.

Godly Living

3 ^(CK)Remind them ^(CL)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ^(CM)ready for every good deed, ² to slander no one, ^(CN)not to be contentious, to be ^(CO)gentle, ^(CP)showing every consideration for all people. ^3 (CQ)For we too were once foolish, ^(CR)disobedient, ^(CS)deceived, ^(CT)enslaved to ^(CU)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in ^(CV)malice and ^(CW)envy, hateful, hating one another. ⁴ But when the ^(CX)kindness of ^(CY)God our Savior and His love for mankind ^(CZ)appeared, ^5 (DA)He saved us, ^(DB)not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but ^(DC)in accordance with His mercy, by the ^(DD)washing of regeneration and ^(DE)renewing by the Holy Spirit, ^6 (DF)whom He ^(DG)richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by His grace we would be made ^(DH)heirs ^[t]according to the hope of eternal life. ^8 (DI)This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I ^(DJ)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have ^(DK)believed God will be careful to ^(DL)engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. ⁹ But ^(DM)avoid ^(DN)foolish controversies and ^(DO)genealogies and strife and ^(DP)disputes about the Law, for they are ^(DQ)useless and worthless. ^10 (DR)Reject a ^[u](DS)divisive person ^(DT)after a first and second warning, ¹¹ knowing that such a person has ^(DU)deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Concerns

¹² When I send Artemas or ^(DV)Tychicus to you, ^(DW)make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to ^(DX)spend the winter there. ¹³ Diligently help Zenas the ^(DY)lawyer and ^(DZ)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. ^14 (EA)Our people must also learn to ^(EB)engage in good ^[v]deeds to meet ^(EC)pressing needs, so that they will not be ^(ED)unproductive.

^15 (EE)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us ^(EF)in the faith.

^(EG)Grace be with you all.

Salutation

^1 (A)Paul, ^(B)a prisoner of ^(C)Christ Jesus, and ^(D)Timothy ^[a]our brother,

To Philemon our beloved brother and ^(E)fellow worker, ² and to Apphia ^[b](F)our sister, and to ^(G)Archippus our ^(H)fellow soldier, and to ^(I)the church in your house: ^3 (J)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

^4 (K)I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, ⁵ because I ^(L)hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the ^[c]saints; ⁶ and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective ^[d]through the ^(M)knowledge of every good thing which is in you ^[e]for the sake of Christ. ⁷ For I have had great ^(N)joy and comfort in your love, because the ^[f]hearts of the ^[g]saints have been ^(O)refreshed through you, brother.

⁸ Therefore, ^(P)though I have ^[h]enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is ^(Q)proper, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather ^(R)appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, ^[i]an ^(S)old man, and now also ^(T)a prisoner of ^(U)Christ Jesus—

Plea for Onesimus, a Free Man

¹⁰ I ^(V)appeal to you for my ^(W)[j]son ^[k](X)Onesimus, whom I ^[l]fathered in my ^[m]imprisonment, ¹¹ who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. ¹² I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, ¹³ whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my ^[n](Y)imprisonment for the gospel; ¹⁴ but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness would ^(Z)not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will. ¹⁵ For perhaps it was ^(AA)for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, ^16 (AB)no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, ^(AC)a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both ^(AD)in the flesh and in the Lord.

¹⁷ If then you regard me as a ^(AE)partner, accept him as you would me. ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; ^19 (AF)I, Paul, have written this with my own hand, I will repay it (^(AG)not to ^[o]mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; ^(AH)refresh my heart in Christ.

^21 (AI)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

²² At the same time also prepare me a ^(AJ)guest room, for ^(AK)I hope that through ^(AL)your prayers ^(AM)I will be given to you.

^23 (AN)Epaphras, my ^(AO)fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do ^(AP)Mark, ^(AQ)Aristarchus, ^(AR)Demas, and ^(AS)Luke, my ^(AT)fellow workers.

^25 (AU)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be ^(AV)with your spirit.^[p]

God’s Final Word in His Son

1 God, after He ^(A)spoke long ago to the fathers in ^(B)the prophets in many portions and ^(C)in many ways, ^2 [a](D)in these last days ^(E)has spoken to us ^[b]in His ^(F)Son, whom He appointed ^(G)heir of all things, ^(H)through whom He also made the ^[c](I)world. ^3 [d]And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact ^(J)representation of His nature, and ^[e](K)upholds all things by ^[f]the word of His power. When He had made ^(L)purification of sins, He ^(M)sat down at the right hand of the ^(N)Majesty on high, ⁴ having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent ^(O)name than they.

⁵ For to which of the angels did He ever say,

And again,

⁶ And ^[g]when He again ^(R)brings the firstborn into ^[h](S)the world, He says,

⁷ And regarding the angels He says,

⁸ But regarding the Son He says,

¹⁰ And,

¹³ But to which of the angels has He ever said,

¹⁴ Are they not all ^(AG)ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will ^(AH)inherit ^(AI)salvation?

Pay Attention

2 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to ^[k]what we have heard, so that ^(AJ)we do not drift away from it. ² For if the word ^(AK)spoken through ^(AL)angels proved ^[l]unalterable, and ^(AM)every violation and act of disobedience received a just ^[m](AN)punishment, ^3 (AO)how will we escape if we neglect so great a ^(AP)salvation? ^[n]After it was at first ^(AQ)spoken through the Lord, it was ^(AR)confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by ^(AS)signs and wonders, and by ^(AT)various ^[o]miracles and by ^[p](AU)gifts of the Holy Spirit ^(AV)according to His own will.

Earth Subject to Man

⁵ For He did not subject to angels ^[q](AW)the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶ But someone has testified ^(AX)somewhere, saying,

For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now ^(BB)we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

Jesus Briefly Humbled

⁹ But we do see Him who was ^(BC)made ^[t]for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, ^(BD)because of His suffering death ^(BE)crowned with glory and honor, so that ^(BF)by the grace of God He might ^(BG)taste death ^(BH)for everyone.

¹⁰ For ^(BI)it was fitting for Him, ^(BJ)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to ^(BK)perfect the ^[u](BL)originator of their salvation through sufferings. ¹¹ For both He who ^(BM)sanctifies and those who ^(BN)are ^[v]sanctified are all ^(BO)from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them ^(BP)brothers and sisters, ¹² saying,

¹³ And again,

And again,

¹⁴ Therefore, since the children share in ^[w](BT)flesh and blood, ^(BU)He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that ^(BV)through death He might destroy ^(BW)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and free those who through ^(BX)fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. ¹⁶ For clearly He does not ^[x]give help to angels, but He gives help to the ^[y]descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore, in all things He ^[z]had ^(BY)to be made like His brothers so that He might ^(BZ)become a merciful and faithful ^(CA)high priest in ^(CB)things pertaining to God, to ^(CC)make ^[aa]propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For since He Himself was ^[ab](CD)tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are ^[ac]tempted.

Jesus Our High Priest

3 Therefore, ^(CE)holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a ^(CF)heavenly calling, consider ^(CG)the Apostle and ^(CH)High Priest of our ^(CI)confession: Jesus; ^2 [ad]He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as ^(CJ)Moses also was in all His house. ^3 (CK)For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. ⁵ Now ^(CL)Moses was faithful in all ^[ae]God’s house as ^(CM)a servant, ^(CN)for a testimony of those things ^(CO)which were to be spoken later; ⁶ but Christ was faithful as ^(CP)a Son over His house—^(CQ)whose house we are, ^(CR)if we hold firmly to our ^(CS)confidence and the boast of our ^[af](CT)hope.

⁷ Therefore, just as ^(CU)the Holy Spirit says,

The Danger of Unbelief

^12 (DB)Take care, brothers and sisters, that there will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart ^[ah]that falls away from ^(DC)the living God. ¹³ But ^(DD)encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the ^(DE)deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ ^(DF)if we keep the beginning of our ^[ai](DG)commitment firm until the end, ¹⁵ while it is said,

¹⁶ For who ^(DI)provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, ^(DJ)did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? ¹⁷ And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, ^(DK)whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And to whom did He swear ^(DL)that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were ^(DM)disobedient? ¹⁹ And so we see that they were not able to enter because of ^(DN)unbelief.

The Believer’s Rest

4 Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have ^(DO)come short of it. ² For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but ^(DP)the word ^[ak]they heard did not benefit them, because ^[al]they were not united with those who listened with faith. ³ For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,

although His works were finished ^(DR)from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has said ^(DS)somewhere concerning the seventh day: “^(DT)And God ^(DU)rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this passage, “^(DV)They certainly shall not enter My rest.” ⁶ Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of ^(DW)disobedience, ⁷ He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying ^[am]through David after so long a time just ^(DX)as has been said before,

⁸ For ^(DZ)if ^[an]Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. ⁹ Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For the one who has entered His rest has himself also ^(EA)rested from his works, as ^(EB)God did from His. ¹¹ Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same ^(EC)example of ^(ED)disobedience. ¹² For ^(EE)the word of God is ^(EF)living and ^(EG)active, and sharper than any two-edged ^(EH)sword, even penetrating as far as the division of ^(EI)soul and ^(EJ)spirit, of both joints and marrow, and ^(EK)able to ^[ao]judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And ^(EL)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(EM)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom ^[ap]we must answer.

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great ^(EN)high priest who has ^(EO)passed through the heavens, Jesus ^(EP)the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our ^(EQ)confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have ^(ER)a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been ^(ES)tempted in all things just as we are, yet ^(ET)without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let’s ^(EU)approach the throne of grace with ^(EV)confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

The Perfect High Priest

5 For every high priest ^(EW)taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in ^(EX)things pertaining to God, in order to ^(EY)offer both gifts and sacrifices ^(EZ)for sins; ^2 [aq](FA)he can deal gently with the ^(FB)ignorant and ^(FC)misguided, since he himself also is ^[ar](FD)clothed in weakness; ³ and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices ^(FE)for sins for himself, ^(FF)as well as for the people. ⁴ And ^(FG)no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just ^(FH)as Aaron also was.

⁵ So too Christ ^(FI)did not glorify Himself in becoming a ^(FJ)high priest, but it was He who ^(FK)said to Him,

⁶ just as He also says in another passage,

⁷ In the days of ^[as]His humanity, ^[at](FO)He offered up both prayers and pleas with ^(FP)loud crying and tears to the One ^(FQ)able to save Him ^[au]from death, and He ^[av]was heard because of His ^(FR)devout behavior. ⁸ Although He was ^(FS)a Son, He learned ^(FT)obedience from the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been ^(FU)perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, ¹⁰ being designated by God as ^(FV)High Priest according to ^(FW)the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ Concerning ^[aw]him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become ^[ax]poor listeners. ¹² For though ^[ay]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you ^(FX)the ^[az](FY)elementary principles of the ^(FZ)actual words of God, and you have come to need ^(GA)milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an ^(GB)infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(GC)the mature, who because of practice have their senses ^(GD)trained to ^(GE)distinguish between good and evil.

The Danger of Falling Away

6 Therefore ^(GF)leaving ^(GG)the ^[ba]elementary teaching about the ^[bb]Christ, let us press on to ^[bc](GH)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from ^(GI)dead works and of faith toward God, ² of ^(GJ)instruction about ^[bd]washings and ^(GK)laying on of hands, and about the ^(GL)resurrection of the dead and ^(GM)eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do, ^(GN)if God permits. ⁴ For it is ^(GO)impossible, in the case of those who have once been ^(GP)enlightened and have tasted of ^(GQ)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(GR)partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(GS)have tasted the good ^(GT)word of God and the powers of ^(GU)the age to come, ⁶ and then have ^[be]fallen away, to ^(GV)restore them again to repentance, ^[bf](GW)since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. ⁷ For ground that drinks the rain which often ^[bg]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those ^(GX)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^[bh](GY)close to being cursed, and ^[bi]it ends up being burned.

Better Things for You

⁹ But, ^(GZ)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that ^[bj]accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. ¹⁰ For ^(HA)God is not unjust so as to forget ^(HB)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having ^(HC)served and by still serving the ^[bk]saints. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence ^[bl]so as to realize the ^(HD)full assurance of ^(HE)hope until the end, ¹² so that you will not be sluggish, but ^(HF)imitators of those who through ^(HG)faith and endurance ^(HH)inherit the promises.

¹³ For ^(HI)when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He ^(HJ)swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “^(HK)indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, ^(HL)having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. ^16 (HM)For people swear an oath by ^[bm]one greater than themselves, and with them ^(HN)an oath serving as confirmation is an end of every dispute. ^17 [bn]In the same way God, desiring even more to demonstrate to ^(HO)the heirs of the promise ^[bo](HP)the fact that His purpose is unchangeable, ^[bp]confirmed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things in which ^(HQ)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to hold firmly to ^(HR)the hope set before us. ^19 [bq]This ^(HS)hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which ^(HT)enters ^[br]within the veil, ^20 (HU)where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a ^(HV)high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

7 For this ^(HW)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^(HX)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. ³ Without father, without mother, ^(HY)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^(HZ)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(IA)patriarch, ^(IB)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of ^(IC)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment ^[bs]in the Law to collect ^[bt]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they ^[bu]are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one ^(ID)whose genealogy is not traced from them ^(IE)collected ^[bv]a tenth from Abraham and ^[bw](IF)blessed the one who ^(IG)had the promises. ⁷ But without any dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, ^(IH)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. ⁹ And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his ^[bx]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

^11 (II)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(IJ)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(IK)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. ¹³ For ^(IL)the one about whom ^(IM)these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord ^[by]was ^(IN)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of ^[bz](IO)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(IP)an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment ^(IR)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(IS)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better ^(IT)hope, through which we ^(IU)come near to God. ²⁰ And to the extent that it was not without an oath ²¹ (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

²² by the same extent Jesus also has become the ^[ca](IY)guarantee of ^(IZ)a better covenant.

^23 [cb]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing; ^24 [cc]Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ^(JA)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore He is also able to ^(JB)save ^[cd]forever those who ^(JC)come to God through Him, since He always lives to ^(JD)make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(JE)high priest, ^(JF)holy, ^(JG)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and ^(JH)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who has no daily need, like those high priests, to ^(JI)offer up sacrifices, ^(JJ)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this ^(JK)once for all time when He ^(JL)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(JM)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(JN)a Son, who has been ^(JO)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a ^(JP)high priest, who has taken His seat at ^(JQ)the right hand of the throne of the ^(JR)Majesty in the heavens, ² a ^(JS)minister ^[ce]in the sanctuary and ^[cf]in the ^(JT)true ^[cg]tabernacle, which the Lord ^(JU)set up, not man. ³ For every ^(JV)high priest is appointed ^(JW)to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. ⁴ Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are ^[ch]those who ^(JX)offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve ^(JY)a copy and ^(JZ)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses ^[ci]was ^(KA)warned by God when he was about to erect the ^[cj]tabernacle; for, “^(KB)See,” He says, “that you make all things by the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.” ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the ^(KC)mediator of ^(KD)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

⁷ For ^(KE)if that first covenant had been free of fault, no ^[ck]circumstances would have been sought for a second. ⁸ For in finding fault with ^[cl]the people, He says,

^13 [cp]When He said, “^(KO)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. ^(KP)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ^[cq]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had ^(KQ)regulations for divine worship and ^(KR)the earthly sanctuary. ² For ^(KS)a ^[cr]tabernacle was equipped, the ^[cs]outer sanctuary, in which were ^(KT)the lampstand, ^(KU)the table, and ^(KV)the ^[ct]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(KW)the second veil there was a ^[cu]tabernacle which is called the ^(KX)Most Holy Place, ⁴ having a golden ^[cv](KY)altar of incense and ^(KZ)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(LA)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(LB)Aaron’s staff which budded, and ^(LC)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the ^(LD)cherubim of glory ^(LE)overshadowing the ^[cw]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(LF)are continually entering the ^[cx]outer ^[cy]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into ^(LG)the second, only ^(LH)the high priest enters ^(LI)once a year, ^(LJ)not without taking blood which he ^(LK)offers for himself and for the ^[cz](LL)sins of the people committed in ignorance. ^8 (LM)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(LN)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^[da]outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(LO)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(LP)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to ^(LQ)food, ^(LR)drink, and various ^(LS)washings, ^(LT)regulations for the ^[db]body imposed until ^(LU)a time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a ^(LV)high priest of the ^(LW)good things ^[dc]having come, He entered through ^(LX)the greater and more perfect ^[dd]tabernacle, ^(LY)not made by hands, that is, ^(LZ)not of this creation; ¹² and not through ^(MA)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(MB)through His own blood, He ^(MC)entered the holy place ^(MD)once for all time, ^[de]having obtained ^(ME)eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(MF)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(MG)the ^[df]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^[dg]cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(MH)the blood of Christ, who through ^[dh](MI)the eternal Spirit ^(MJ)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(MK)cleanse your conscience from ^(ML)dead works to serve ^(MM)the living God?

¹⁵ For this reason ^(MN)He is the ^(MO)mediator of a ^(MP)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ^(MQ)called may ^(MR)receive the promise of ^(MS)the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a ^[di]covenant, there must of necessity ^[dj]be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a ^[dk]covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^[dl]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. ¹⁸ Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment had been ^(MT)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(MU)he took the ^(MV)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(MW)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(MX)the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “^(MY)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” ²¹ And in the same way he ^(MZ)sprinkled both the ^[dm]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And ^(NA)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(NB)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the ^(NC)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(ND)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ ^(NE)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(NF)the true one, but into ^(NG)heaven itself, now ^(NH)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(NI)the high priest enters ^(NJ)the Holy Place ^(NK)year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(NL)the foundation of the world; but now ^(NM)once at ^(NN)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(NO)revealed to put away sin ^[dn](NP)by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And just as ^(NQ)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(NR)comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been ^(NS)offered once to ^(NT)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(NU)a second time for ^(NV)salvation ^(NW)without reference to sin, to those who ^(NX)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(NY)a shadow of ^(NZ)the good things to come and not the ^[do]form of those things itself, ^[dp]can ^(OA)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(OB)make those who approach perfect. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had ^(OC)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(OD)in ^[dq]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is ^(OE)impossible for the ^(OF)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(OG)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(OM)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(ON)whole burnt offerings and offerings ^(OO)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[dr]said, “^(OP)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[ds]this will, we have been ^(OQ)sanctified through ^(OR)the offering of ^(OS)the body of Jesus Christ ^(OT)once for all time.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(OU)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(OV)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(OW)for ^[dt]sins ^(OX)for all time, ^(OY)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(OZ)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(PA)perfected ^(PB)for all time those who are ^[du]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(PC)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

He then says,

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.

A New and Living Way

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we ^(PF)have confidence to ^(PG)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(PH)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(PI)the veil, that is, through His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(PJ)a great priest ^(PK)over the house of God, ²² let’s ^(PL)approach God with a ^[dv]sincere heart in ^(PM)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(PN)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(PO)washed with pure water. ²³ Let’s hold firmly to the ^(PP)confession of our ^(PQ)hope without wavering, for ^(PR)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let’s consider how ^(PS)to ^[dw]encourage one another in love and ^(PT)good deeds, ²⁵ not abandoning our own ^(PU)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(PV)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(PW)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(PX)sinning willfully after receiving ^(PY)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(PZ)judgment and ^(QA)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (QB)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (QC)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(QD)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(QE)the blood of the covenant ^(QF)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(QG)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(QH)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(QI)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(QJ)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(QK)living God.

³² But remember ^(QL)the former days, ^[dx]when, after being ^(QM)enlightened, you endured a great ^(QN)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(QO)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^[dy](QP)companions with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(QQ)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(QR)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(QS)a better and lasting possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(QT)confidence, which has a great ^(QU)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(QV)endurance, so that when you have ^(QW)done the will of God, you may ^(QX)receive ^[dz]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[ea]we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the ^(RB)certainty of things ^[eb](RC)hoped for, a ^[ec]proof of ^(RD)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(RE)people of old ^[ed](RF)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[ee](RG)world has been created ^(RH)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(RI)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(RJ)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(RK)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[ef]about his ^(RL)gifts, and through ^[eg]faith, though ^(RM)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(RN)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(RO)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(RP)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(RQ)Noah, being ^(RR)warned by God about ^(RS)things not yet seen, ^[eh](RT)in reverence ^(RU)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(RV)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(RW)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[ei]by going out to a place which he was to ^(RX)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(RY)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(RZ)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(SA)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(SB)the city which has ^(SC)foundations, ^(SD)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(SE)Sarah herself received ^[ej]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(SF)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(SG)one who was as good as dead ^[ek]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(SH)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (SI)All these died in faith, ^(SJ)without receiving the promises, but ^(SK)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(SL)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵ And indeed if they had been ^[el]thinking of that country which they left, ^(SM)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(SN)heavenly one. Therefore ^(SO)God is not ^[em]ashamed to be ^(SP)called their God; for ^(SQ)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(SR)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(SS)received the promises was offering up his ^[en]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(ST)Through Isaac your ^[eo]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [ep]He considered that ^(SU)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[eq]as a ^[er](SV)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(SW)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(SX)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(SY)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(SZ)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(TA)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the ^(TB)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(TC)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(TD)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (TE)considering the ^[es]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(TF)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(TG)left Egypt, not ^(TH)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(TI)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[et](TJ)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(TK)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(TL)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[eu]drowned.

³⁰ By faith ^(TM)the walls of Jericho fell down ^[ev](TN)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ By faith the prostitute ^(TO)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^[ew]in peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(TP)Gideon, ^(TQ)Barak, ^(TR)Samson, ^(TS)Jephthah, of ^(TT)David and ^(TU)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(TV)conquered kingdoms, ^(TW)performed acts of righteousness, ^(TX)obtained promises, ^(TY)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (TZ)quenched the power of fire, ^(UA)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(UB)became mighty in war, ^(UC)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (UD)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[ex]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[ey]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(UE)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(UF)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[ez]they were tempted, they were ^(UG)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(UH)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(UI)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(UJ)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[fa]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(UK)gained approval through their faith, ^(UL)did not receive ^[fb]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[fc]provided ^(UM)something better for us, so that ^(UN)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Jesus, the Example

12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s ^(UO)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s ^(UP)run with ^(UQ)endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking only at Jesus, the ^[fd](UR)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(US)endured the cross, ^(UT)despising the shame, and has ^(UU)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For ^(UV)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^[fe](UW)and lose heart.

A Father’s Discipline

^4 (UX)You have not yet resisted ^[ff](UY)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; ⁵ and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; ^(VD)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, ^(VE)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had ^[fg]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(VF)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^(VG)the Father of ^[fh]spirits, and ^(VH)live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(VI)so that we may share His holiness. ^11 (VJ)For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the ^(VK)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

¹² Therefore, ^[fi](VL)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, ¹³ and ^(VM)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather ^(VN)be healed.

^14 (VO)Pursue peace with all people, and the ^(VP)holiness without which no one will ^(VQ)see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(VR)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(VS)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^(VT)defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no ^(VU)sexually immoral or ^(VV)godless person like Esau, ^(VW)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterward, ^(VX)when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Contrast of Sinai and Zion

^18 (VY)For you have not come to ^(VZ)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(WA)blast of a trumpet and the ^(WB)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^(WC)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not ^[fj]cope with the command, “^(WD)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^(WE)I am terrified and trembling.” ²² But ^(WF)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(WG)the city of ^(WH)the living God, ^(WI)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(WJ)myriads of ^[fk]angels, ²³ to the general assembly and ^(WK)church of the firstborn who ^(WL)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(WM)the Judge of all, and to the ^(WN)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(WO)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(WP)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(WQ)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

^25 (WR)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(WS)speaking. For ^(WT)if those did not escape when they ^(WU)refused him who ^(WV)warned them on earth, ^[fl]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(WW)warns us from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(WX)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(WY)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^(WZ)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we receive a ^(XA)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s ^[fm]show gratitude, by which we may ^(XB)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(XC)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

13 Let ^(XD)love of the brothers and sisters continue. ² Do not neglect ^(XE)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have ^(XF)entertained angels without knowing it. ^3 (XG)Remember ^(XH)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. ^4 (XI)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; ^(XJ)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. ⁵ Make sure that your character is ^(XK)free from the love of money, ^(XL)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “^(XM)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” ⁶ so that we confidently say,

⁷ Remember ^(XO)those who led you, who spoke ^(XP)the word of God to you; and considering the ^[fn]result of their way of life, ^(XQ)imitate their faith. ^8 (XR)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. ^9 (XS)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to ^(XT)be strengthened by grace, not by ^(XU)foods, ^(XV)through which those who ^[fo]were so occupied were not benefited. ¹⁰ We have an altar ^(XW)from which those ^(XX)who serve the ^[fp]tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For ^(XY)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also suffered ^(XZ)outside the gate, ^(YA)that He might sanctify the people ^(YB)through His own blood. ¹³ So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, ^(YC)bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here ^(YD)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking ^(YE)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

^15 (YF)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a ^(YG)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(YH)the fruit of lips praising His name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and ^(YI)sharing, for ^(YJ)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

^17 (YK)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for ^(YL)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not ^[fq]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

^18 (YM)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a ^(YN)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. ¹⁹ And I urge you all the more to do this, ^(YO)so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

Benediction

²⁰ Now may ^(YP)the God of peace, who ^(YQ)brought up from the dead the ^(YR)great Shepherd of the sheep ^[fr]through ^(YS)the blood of the ^(YT)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, ^21 (YU)equip you in every good thing to do His will, ^(YV)working in us that ^(YW)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(YX)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² But ^(YY)I urge you, ^(YZ)brothers and sisters, ^[fs]listen patiently to ^[ft]this ^(ZA)word of exhortation, for ^(ZB)I have written to you briefly. ²³ Know that ^(ZC)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. ²⁴ Greet ^(ZD)all of your leaders and all the ^[fu](ZE)saints. Those from ^(ZF)Italy greet you.

^25 (ZG)Grace be with you all.