Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

7 For this ^(A)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^(B)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, ^(C)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^(D)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(E)patriarch, ^(F)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of ^(G)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment ^[a]in the Law to collect ^[b]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they ^[c]are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one ^(H)whose genealogy is not traced from them ^(I)collected ^[d]a tenth from Abraham and ^[e](J)blessed the one who ^(K)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, ^(L)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 ^[f]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

^11 (M)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(N)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(O)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 ^(P)the one about whom ^(Q)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 ^[g]was ^(R)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 ^[h](S)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(T)an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment ^(V)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(W)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better ^(X)hope, through which we ^(Y)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 ^[i](AC)guarantee of ^(AD)a better covenant.

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

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(AI)high priest, ^(AJ)holy, ^(AK)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and ^(AL)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who has no daily need, like those high priests, to ^(AM)offer up sacrifices, ^(AN)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this ^(AO)once for all time when He ^(AP)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(AQ)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(AR)a Son, who has been ^(AS)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a ^(AT)high priest, who has taken His seat at ^(AU)the right hand of the throne of the ^(AV)Majesty in the heavens, ² a ^(AW)minister ^[m]in the sanctuary and ^[n]in the ^(AX)true ^[o]tabernacle, which the Lord ^(AY)set up, not man. ³ For every ^(AZ)high priest is appointed ^(BA)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 ^[p]those who ^(BB)offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve ^(BC)a copy and ^(BD)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses ^[q]was ^(BE)warned by God when he was about to erect the ^[r]tabernacle; for, “^(BF)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 ^(BG)mediator of ^(BH)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

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

^13 [x]When He said, “^(BS)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. ^(BT)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ^[y]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had ^(BU)regulations for divine worship and ^(BV)the earthly sanctuary. ² For ^(BW)a ^[z]tabernacle was equipped, the ^[aa]outer sanctuary, in which were ^(BX)the lampstand, ^(BY)the table, and ^(BZ)the ^[ab]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(CA)the second veil there was a ^[ac]tabernacle which is called the ^(CB)Most Holy Place, ⁴ having a golden ^[ad](CC)altar of incense and ^(CD)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(CE)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(CF)Aaron’s staff which budded, and ^(CG)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the ^(CH)cherubim of glory ^(CI)overshadowing the ^[ae]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(CJ)are continually entering the ^[af]outer ^[ag]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into ^(CK)the second, only ^(CL)the high priest enters ^(CM)once a year, ^(CN)not without taking blood which he ^(CO)offers for himself and for the ^[ah](CP)sins of the people committed in ignorance. ^8 (CQ)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(CR)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^[ai]outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(CS)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(CT)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to ^(CU)food, ^(CV)drink, and various ^(CW)washings, ^(CX)regulations for the ^[aj]body imposed until ^(CY)a time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a ^(CZ)high priest of the ^(DA)good things ^[ak]having come, He entered through ^(DB)the greater and more perfect ^[al]tabernacle, ^(DC)not made by hands, that is, ^(DD)not of this creation; ¹² and not through ^(DE)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(DF)through His own blood, He ^(DG)entered the holy place ^(DH)once for all time, ^[am]having obtained ^(DI)eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(DJ)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(DK)the ^[an]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^[ao]cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(DL)the blood of Christ, who through ^[ap](DM)the eternal Spirit ^(DN)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(DO)cleanse your conscience from ^(DP)dead works to serve ^(DQ)the living God?

¹⁵ For this reason ^(DR)He is the ^(DS)mediator of a ^(DT)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 ^(DU)called may ^(DV)receive the promise of ^(DW)the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a ^[aq]covenant, there must of necessity ^[ar]be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a ^[as]covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^[at]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 ^(DX)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(DY)he took the ^(DZ)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(EA)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(EB)the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “^(EC)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” ²¹ And in the same way he ^(ED)sprinkled both the ^[au]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And ^(EE)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(EF)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the ^(EG)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(EH)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ ^(EI)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(EJ)the true one, but into ^(EK)heaven itself, now ^(EL)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(EM)the high priest enters ^(EN)the Holy Place ^(EO)year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(EP)the foundation of the world; but now ^(EQ)once at ^(ER)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(ES)revealed to put away sin ^[av](ET)by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And just as ^(EU)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(EV)comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been ^(EW)offered once to ^(EX)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(EY)a second time for ^(EZ)salvation ^(FA)without reference to sin, to those who ^(FB)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(FC)a shadow of ^(FD)the good things to come and not the ^[aw]form of those things itself, ^[ax]can ^(FE)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(FF)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 ^(FG)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(FH)in ^[ay]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is ^(FI)impossible for the ^(FJ)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(FK)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(FQ)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(FR)whole burnt offerings and offerings ^(FS)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[az]said, “^(FT)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[ba]this will, we have been ^(FU)sanctified through ^(FV)the offering of ^(FW)the body of Jesus Christ ^(FX)once for all time.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(FY)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(FZ)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(GA)for ^[bb]sins ^(GB)for all time, ^(GC)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(GD)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(GE)perfected ^(GF)for all time those who are ^[bc]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(GG)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 ^(GJ)have confidence to ^(GK)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(GL)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(GM)the veil, that is, through His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(GN)a great priest ^(GO)over the house of God, ²² let’s ^(GP)approach God with a ^[bd]sincere heart in ^(GQ)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(GR)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(GS)washed with pure water. ²³ Let’s hold firmly to the ^(GT)confession of our ^(GU)hope without wavering, for ^(GV)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let’s consider how ^(GW)to ^[be]encourage one another in love and ^(GX)good deeds, ²⁵ not abandoning our own ^(GY)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(GZ)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(HA)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(HB)sinning willfully after receiving ^(HC)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(HD)judgment and ^(HE)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (HF)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (HG)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(HH)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(HI)the blood of the covenant ^(HJ)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(HK)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(HL)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(HM)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(HN)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(HO)living God.

³² But remember ^(HP)the former days, ^[bf]when, after being ^(HQ)enlightened, you endured a great ^(HR)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(HS)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^[bg](HT)companions with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(HU)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(HV)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(HW)a better and lasting possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(HX)confidence, which has a great ^(HY)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(HZ)endurance, so that when you have ^(IA)done the will of God, you may ^(IB)receive ^[bh]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[bi]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 ^(IF)certainty of things ^[bj](IG)hoped for, a ^[bk]proof of ^(IH)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(II)people of old ^[bl](IJ)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[bm](IK)world has been created ^(IL)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(IM)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(IN)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(IO)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[bn]about his ^(IP)gifts, and through ^[bo]faith, though ^(IQ)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(IR)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(IS)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 ^(IT)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(IU)Noah, being ^(IV)warned by God about ^(IW)things not yet seen, ^[bp](IX)in reverence ^(IY)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(IZ)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(JA)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[bq]by going out to a place which he was to ^(JB)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(JC)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(JD)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(JE)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(JF)the city which has ^(JG)foundations, ^(JH)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(JI)Sarah herself received ^[br]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(JJ)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(JK)one who was as good as dead ^[bs]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(JL)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (JM)All these died in faith, ^(JN)without receiving the promises, but ^(JO)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(JP)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 ^[bt]thinking of that country which they left, ^(JQ)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(JR)heavenly one. Therefore ^(JS)God is not ^[bu]ashamed to be ^(JT)called their God; for ^(JU)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(JV)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(JW)received the promises was offering up his ^[bv]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(JX)Through Isaac your ^[bw]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [bx]He considered that ^(JY)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[by]as a ^[bz](JZ)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(KA)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(KB)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(KC)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(KD)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(KE)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 ^(KF)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(KG)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(KH)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (KI)considering the ^[ca]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(KJ)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(KK)left Egypt, not ^(KL)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(KM)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[cb](KN)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(KO)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(KP)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[cc]drowned.

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

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(KT)Gideon, ^(KU)Barak, ^(KV)Samson, ^(KW)Jephthah, of ^(KX)David and ^(KY)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(KZ)conquered kingdoms, ^(LA)performed acts of righteousness, ^(LB)obtained promises, ^(LC)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (LD)quenched the power of fire, ^(LE)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(LF)became mighty in war, ^(LG)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (LH)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[cf]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[cg]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(LI)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(LJ)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[ch]they were tempted, they were ^(LK)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(LL)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(LM)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(LN)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[ci]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(LO)gained approval through their faith, ^(LP)did not receive ^[cj]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[ck]provided ^(LQ)something better for us, so that ^(LR)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 ^(LS)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s ^(LT)run with ^(LU)endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking only at Jesus, the ^[cl](LV)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(LW)endured the cross, ^(LX)despising the shame, and has ^(LY)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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

A Father’s Discipline

^4 (MB)You have not yet resisted ^[cn](MC)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; ^(MH)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, ^(MI)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had ^[co]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(MJ)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^(MK)the Father of ^[cp]spirits, and ^(ML)live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(MM)so that we may share His holiness. ^11 (MN)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 ^(MO)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

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

^14 (MS)Pursue peace with all people, and the ^(MT)holiness without which no one will ^(MU)see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(MV)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(MW)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^(MX)defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no ^(MY)sexually immoral or ^(MZ)godless person like Esau, ^(NA)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterward, ^(NB)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 (NC)For you have not come to ^(ND)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(NE)blast of a trumpet and the ^(NF)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^(NG)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not ^[cr]cope with the command, “^(NH)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^(NI)I am terrified and trembling.” ²² But ^(NJ)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(NK)the city of ^(NL)the living God, ^(NM)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(NN)myriads of ^[cs]angels, ²³ to the general assembly and ^(NO)church of the firstborn who ^(NP)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(NQ)the Judge of all, and to the ^(NR)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(NS)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(NT)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(NU)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

^25 (NV)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(NW)speaking. For ^(NX)if those did not escape when they ^(NY)refused him who ^(NZ)warned them on earth, ^[ct]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(OA)warns us from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(OB)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(OC)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^(OD)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 ^(OE)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s ^[cu]show gratitude, by which we may ^(OF)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(OG)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

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

⁷ Remember ^(OS)those who led you, who spoke ^(OT)the word of God to you; and considering the ^[cv]result of their way of life, ^(OU)imitate their faith. ^8 (OV)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. ^9 (OW)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to ^(OX)be strengthened by grace, not by ^(OY)foods, ^(OZ)through which those who ^[cw]were so occupied were not benefited. ¹⁰ We have an altar ^(PA)from which those ^(PB)who serve the ^[cx]tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For ^(PC)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 ^(PD)outside the gate, ^(PE)that He might sanctify the people ^(PF)through His own blood. ¹³ So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, ^(PG)bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here ^(PH)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking ^(PI)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

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

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

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

Benediction

²⁰ Now may ^(PT)the God of peace, who ^(PU)brought up from the dead the ^(PV)great Shepherd of the sheep ^[cz]through ^(PW)the blood of the ^(PX)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, ^21 (PY)equip you in every good thing to do His will, ^(PZ)working in us that ^(QA)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(QB)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² But ^(QC)I urge you, ^(QD)brothers and sisters, ^[da]listen patiently to ^[db]this ^(QE)word of exhortation, for ^(QF)I have written to you briefly. ²³ Know that ^(QG)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. ²⁴ Greet ^(QH)all of your leaders and all the ^[dc](QI)saints. Those from ^(QJ)Italy greet you.

^25 (QK)Grace be with you all.

The Testing of Your Faith

1 ^[a](A)James, a ^(B)bond-servant of God and ^(C)of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To ^(D)the twelve tribes who are ^[b](E)dispersed abroad: ^(F)Greetings.

^2 (G)Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter ^(H)various ^[c]trials, ³ knowing that ^(I)the testing of your ^(J)faith produces ^[d](K)endurance. ⁴ And let ^[e](L)endurance have its perfect ^[f]result, so that you may be ^[g](M)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ But if any of you ^(N)lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and ^[h]without reproach, and ^(O)it will be given to him. ⁶ But he must ^(P)ask in faith ^(Q)without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, ^(R)driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being a ^(S)[i]double-minded man, ^(T)unstable in all his ways.

^9 (U)Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; ¹⁰ but the rich person is to glory in his ^[j]humiliation, because ^(V)like ^[k]flowering grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with ^(W)its scorching heat and ^(X)withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.

^12 (Y)Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has ^[l]been approved, he will receive ^(Z)the crown of life which the Lord ^(AA)has promised to those who ^(AB)love Him. ¹³ No one is to say when he is tempted, “^(AC)I am being tempted ^[m]by God”; for God cannot be tempted ^[n]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. ¹⁵ Then ^(AD)when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and ^(AE)sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. ^16 (AF)Do not be ^[o]deceived, ^(AG)my beloved brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is ^(AH)from above, coming down from ^(AI)the Father of lights, ^(AJ)with whom there is no variation or ^[p]shifting shadow. ¹⁸ In the exercise of ^(AK)His will He ^(AL)gave us birth by ^(AM)the word of truth, so that we would be ^[q]a kind of ^(AN)first fruits ^[r]among His creatures.

^19 [s](AO)You know this, ^(AP)my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, ^(AQ)slow to speak, and ^(AR)slow to anger; ²⁰ for a man’s ^(AS)anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore, ^(AT)ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all ^[t]that remains of wickedness, in ^[u]humility receive ^(AU)the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. ^22 (AV)But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his ^[v]natural face ^(AW)in a mirror; ²⁴ for once he has looked at himself and gone away, ^[w]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, ^(AX)the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but ^[x]an active doer, this person will be ^(AY)blessed in ^[y]what he does.

²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not ^[z](AZ)bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion ^(BA)in the sight of our God and Father is this: to ^(BB)visit ^(BC)orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained ^[aa]by ^(BD)the world.

The Sin of Partiality

2 ^(BE)My brothers and sisters, ^(BF)do not hold your faith in our ^(BG)glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of ^(BH)personal favoritism. ² For if a man comes into your ^[ab]assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in ^(BI)bright clothes, and a poor man in ^(BJ)dirty clothes also comes in, ³ and you ^[ac]pay special attention to the one who is wearing the ^(BK)bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” ⁴ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges ^(BL)with evil ^[ad]motives? ⁵ Listen, ^(BM)my beloved brothers and sisters: did ^(BN)God not choose the poor ^[ae]of this world to be ^(BO)rich in faith and ^(BP)heirs of the kingdom which He ^(BQ)promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and ^[af]personally ^(BR)drag you into ^[ag]court? ^7 (BS)Do they not blaspheme the good name ^[ah]by which you have been called?

⁸ If, however, you ^(BT)are fulfilling the ^[ai]royal law according to the Scripture, “^(BU)You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. ⁹ But if you ^(BV)show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet ^(BW)stumbles in one point, has become ^(BX)guilty of all. ¹¹ For He who said, “^(BY)Do not commit adultery,” also said, “^(BZ)Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law. ¹² So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by ^(CA)the law of freedom. ¹³ For ^(CB)judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy ^[aj]triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Works

^14 (CC)What use is it, ^(CD)my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can ^[ak]that faith save him? ^15 (CE)If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “^(CF)Go in peace, ^[al]be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? ¹⁷ In the same way, ^(CG)faith also, if it has no works, is ^[am]dead, being by itself.

^18 (CH)But someone ^[an]may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your ^(CI)faith without the works, and I will ^(CJ)show you my faith ^(CK)by my works.” ¹⁹ You believe that ^[ao](CL)God is one. ^(CM)You do well; ^(CN)the demons also believe, and shudder. ²⁰ But are you willing to acknowledge, ^(CO)you foolish person, that ^(CP)faith without works is useless? ^21 (CQ)Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that ^(CR)faith was working with his works, and ^[ap]as a result of the ^(CS)works, faith was ^[aq]perfected; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “^(CT)And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a ^(CU)friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ In the same way, was ^(CV)Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also ^(CW)when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also ^(CX)faith without works is dead.

The Tongue Is a Fire

3 ^(CY)Do not become teachers in large numbers, ^(CZ)my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a ^[ar]stricter judgment. ² For we all ^(DA)stumble in many ways. ^(DB)If anyone does not stumble in ^[as]what he says, he is a ^(DC)perfect man, able to ^[at](DD)rein in the whole body as well. ³ Now ^(DE)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. ⁴ Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it ^(DF)boasts of great things.

^(DG)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ⁶ And ^(DH)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among ^[au]our body’s parts as that which ^(DI)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our ^[av]life, and is set on fire by ^[aw](DJ)hell. ⁷ For every ^[ax]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human ^[ay]race. ⁸ But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of ^(DK)deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless ^(DL)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, ^(DM)who have been made in the likeness of God; ¹⁰ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. ¹¹ Does a spring send out from the same opening both ^[az]fresh and bitter water? ^12 (DN)Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce ^[ba]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? ^(DO)Let him show by his ^(DP)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(DQ)jealousy and ^[bb]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^(DR)the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down ^(DS)from above, but is ^(DT)earthly, ^[bc](DU)natural, ^(DV)demonic. ¹⁶ For where ^(DW)jealousy and ^[bd]selfish ambition exist, ^[be]there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷ But the wisdom ^(DX)from above is first ^(DY)pure, then ^(DZ)peace-loving, ^(EA)gentle, ^[bf]reasonable, ^(EB)full of mercy and good fruits, ^[bg](EC)impartial, free of ^(ED)hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the ^(EE)fruit of righteousness is sown in peace ^[bh]by those who make peace.

Things to Avoid

4 ^[bi]What is the source of quarrels and ^(EF)conflicts among you? ^[bj]Is the source not your pleasures that wage ^(EG)war in ^[bk]your body’s parts? ² You lust and do not have, so you ^(EH)commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and ^(EI)do not receive, because you ask ^[bl]with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request ^[bm]on your pleasures. ⁴ You ^(EJ)adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with ^(EK)the world is ^(EL)hostility toward God? ^(EM)Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture ^(EN)says to no purpose, “^[bn]He ^[bo]jealously desires ^(EO)the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? ⁶ But ^(EP)He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “^(EQ)God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ^7 (ER)Submit therefore to God. But ^[bp](ES)resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ^8 (ET)Come close to God and He will come close to you. ^(EU)Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and ^(EV)purify your hearts, you ^(EW)[bq]double-minded. ^9 (EX)Be miserable, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into gloom. ^10 (EY)Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

^11 (EZ)Do not speak against one another, ^(FA)brothers and sisters. The one who speaks against a brother or sister, or ^(FB)judges his brother or sister, speaks against ^(FC)the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not ^(FD)a doer of the law but a judge of it. ¹² There is only one ^(FE)Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is ^(FF)able to save and to destroy; but ^(FG)who are you, ^[br]judging your neighbor?

^13 (FH)Come now, you who say, “^(FI)Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” ^14 [bs]Yet you do not know ^[bt]what your life will be like tomorrow. ^(FJ)For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. ^15 [bu]Instead, you ought to say, “^(FK)If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” ¹⁶ But as it is, you boast in your ^[bv]arrogance; ^(FL)all such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So ^(FM)for one who knows the ^[bw]right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.

Misuse of Riches

5 ^(FN)Come now, ^(FO)you rich people, ^(FP)weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. ^2 (FQ)Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and your silver have corroded, and their corrosion will ^[bx]serve as a testimony against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is ^(FR)in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! ⁴ Behold, ^(FS)the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and ^(FT)the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of ^(FU)the Lord ^[by]of armies. ⁵ You have ^[bz](FV)lived for pleasure on the earth and lived luxuriously; you have ^[ca]fattened your hearts in ^(FW)a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and ^[cb](FX)put to death ^(FY)the righteous person; he offers you no resistance.

Exhortation

⁷ Therefore be patient, ^(FZ)brothers and sisters, ^(GA)until the coming of the Lord. ^(GB)The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until ^[cc]it gets ^(GC)the early and late rains. ^8 (GD)You too be patient; ^(GE)strengthen your hearts, for ^(GF)the coming of the Lord is ^(GG)near. ^9 (GH)Do not ^[cd]complain, ^(GI)brothers and sisters, against one another, so that you may not be judged; behold, ^(GJ)the Judge is standing ^[ce](GK)right at the ^[cf]door. ¹⁰ As an example, ^(GL)brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take ^(GM)the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ We count those ^(GN)blessed who endured. You have heard of ^(GO)the ^[cg]endurance of Job and have seen ^(GP)the ^[ch]outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that ^(GQ)the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

¹² But above all, ^(GR)my brothers and sisters, ^(GS)do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but ^[ci]your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you do not fall under judgment.

¹³ Is anyone among you ^(GT)suffering? ^(GU)Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to ^(GV)sing praises. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for ^(GW)the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, ^[cj](GX)anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; ¹⁵ and the ^(GY)prayer of faith will ^[ck](GZ)restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will ^(HA)raise him up, and if he has committed sins, ^[cl]they will be forgiven him. ¹⁶ Therefore, ^(HB)confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be ^(HC)healed. ^(HD)A ^[cm]prayer of a righteous person, when it is ^[cn]brought about, can accomplish much. ¹⁷ Elijah was ^(HE)a man with a nature like ours, and ^(HF)he prayed ^[co]earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for ^(HG)three years and six months. ¹⁸ Then he ^(HH)prayed again, and ^(HI)the sky ^[cp]poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, ^(HJ)if anyone among you strays from ^(HK)the truth and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will ^(HL)save his soul from death and ^(HM)cover a multitude of sins.