²⁵ In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.^(A)

¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(A) serving the Lord.

Warning Against Falling Away^(A)

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths^(B) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!^{(C) 13} Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,^(D) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature,^(E) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.^(F)

¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^{(A) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(B) for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(C) those who through faith and patience^(D) inherit what has been promised.^(E)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^{(F) 14} saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[a](G) 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(H)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(I) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(J) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(K) he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(L) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(M) set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^{(N) 20} where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(O) He has become a high priest^(P) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(Q)

¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers and sisters,^[a] make every effort to confirm your calling^(A) and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,^{(B) 11} and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom^(C) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(D)