Hebrews 2-12

New American Standard Bible

Pay Attention

2 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to ^[a]what we have heard, so that ^(A)we do not drift away from it. ² For if the word ^(B)spoken through ^(C)angels proved ^[b]unalterable, and ^(D)every violation and act of disobedience received a just ^[c](E)punishment, ^3 (F)how will we escape if we neglect so great a ^(G)salvation? ^[d]After it was at first ^(H)spoken through the Lord, it was ^(I)confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by ^(J)signs and wonders, and by ^(K)various ^[e]miracles and by ^[f](L)gifts of the Holy Spirit ^(M)according to His own will.

Earth Subject to Man

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

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

Jesus Briefly Humbled

⁹ But we do see Him who was ^(T)made ^[j]for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, ^(U)because of His suffering death ^(V)crowned with glory and honor, so that ^(W)by the grace of God He might ^(X)taste death ^(Y)for everyone.

¹⁰ For ^(Z)it was fitting for Him, ^(AA)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to ^(AB)perfect the ^[k](AC)originator of their salvation through sufferings. ¹¹ For both He who ^(AD)sanctifies and those who ^(AE)are ^[l]sanctified are all ^(AF)from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them ^(AG)brothers and sisters, ¹² saying,

¹³ And again,

And again,

¹⁴ Therefore, since the children share in ^[m](AK)flesh and blood, ^(AL)He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that ^(AM)through death He might destroy ^(AN)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and free those who through ^(AO)fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. ¹⁶ For clearly He does not ^[n]give help to angels, but He gives help to the ^[o]descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore, in all things He ^[p]had ^(AP)to be made like His brothers so that He might ^(AQ)become a merciful and faithful ^(AR)high priest in ^(AS)things pertaining to God, to ^(AT)make ^[q]propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For since He Himself was ^[r](AU)tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are ^[s]tempted.

Jesus Our High Priest

3 Therefore, ^(AV)holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a ^(AW)heavenly calling, consider ^(AX)the Apostle and ^(AY)High Priest of our ^(AZ)confession: Jesus; ^2 [t]He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as ^(BA)Moses also was in all His house. ^3 (BB)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 ^(BC)Moses was faithful in all ^[u]God’s house as ^(BD)a servant, ^(BE)for a testimony of those things ^(BF)which were to be spoken later; ⁶ but Christ was faithful as ^(BG)a Son over His house—^(BH)whose house we are, ^(BI)if we hold firmly to our ^(BJ)confidence and the boast of our ^[v](BK)hope.

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

The Danger of Unbelief

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

¹⁶ For who ^(BZ)provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, ^(CA)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, ^(CB)whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And to whom did He swear ^(CC)that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were ^(CD)disobedient? ¹⁹ And so we see that they were not able to enter because of ^(CE)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 ^(CF)come short of it. ² For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but ^(CG)the word ^[aa]they heard did not benefit them, because ^[ab]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 ^(CI)from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has said ^(CJ)somewhere concerning the seventh day: “^(CK)And God ^(CL)rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this passage, “^(CM)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 ^(CN)disobedience, ⁷ He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying ^[ac]through David after so long a time just ^(CO)as has been said before,

⁸ For ^(CQ)if ^[ad]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 ^(CR)rested from his works, as ^(CS)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 ^(CT)example of ^(CU)disobedience. ¹² For ^(CV)the word of God is ^(CW)living and ^(CX)active, and sharper than any two-edged ^(CY)sword, even penetrating as far as the division of ^(CZ)soul and ^(DA)spirit, of both joints and marrow, and ^(DB)able to ^[ae]judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And ^(DC)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(DD)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom ^[af]we must answer.

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great ^(DE)high priest who has ^(DF)passed through the heavens, Jesus ^(DG)the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our ^(DH)confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have ^(DI)a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been ^(DJ)tempted in all things just as we are, yet ^(DK)without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let’s ^(DL)approach the throne of grace with ^(DM)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 ^(DN)taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in ^(DO)things pertaining to God, in order to ^(DP)offer both gifts and sacrifices ^(DQ)for sins; ^2 [ag](DR)he can deal gently with the ^(DS)ignorant and ^(DT)misguided, since he himself also is ^[ah](DU)clothed in weakness; ³ and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices ^(DV)for sins for himself, ^(DW)as well as for the people. ⁴ And ^(DX)no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just ^(DY)as Aaron also was.

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

⁶ just as He also says in another passage,

⁷ In the days of ^[ai]His humanity, ^[aj](EF)He offered up both prayers and pleas with ^(EG)loud crying and tears to the One ^(EH)able to save Him ^[ak]from death, and He ^[al]was heard because of His ^(EI)devout behavior. ⁸ Although He was ^(EJ)a Son, He learned ^(EK)obedience from the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been ^(EL)perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, ¹⁰ being designated by God as ^(EM)High Priest according to ^(EN)the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ Concerning ^[am]him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become ^[an]poor listeners. ¹² For though ^[ao]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you ^(EO)the ^[ap](EP)elementary principles of the ^(EQ)actual words of God, and you have come to need ^(ER)milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an ^(ES)infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(ET)the mature, who because of practice have their senses ^(EU)trained to ^(EV)distinguish between good and evil.

The Danger of Falling Away

6 Therefore ^(EW)leaving ^(EX)the ^[aq]elementary teaching about the ^[ar]Christ, let us press on to ^[as](EY)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from ^(EZ)dead works and of faith toward God, ² of ^(FA)instruction about ^[at]washings and ^(FB)laying on of hands, and about the ^(FC)resurrection of the dead and ^(FD)eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do, ^(FE)if God permits. ⁴ For it is ^(FF)impossible, in the case of those who have once been ^(FG)enlightened and have tasted of ^(FH)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(FI)partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(FJ)have tasted the good ^(FK)word of God and the powers of ^(FL)the age to come, ⁶ and then have ^[au]fallen away, to ^(FM)restore them again to repentance, ^[av](FN)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 ^[aw]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those ^(FO)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^[ax](FP)close to being cursed, and ^[ay]it ends up being burned.

Better Things for You

⁹ But, ^(FQ)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that ^[az]accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. ¹⁰ For ^(FR)God is not unjust so as to forget ^(FS)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having ^(FT)served and by still serving the ^[ba]saints. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence ^[bb]so as to realize the ^(FU)full assurance of ^(FV)hope until the end, ¹² so that you will not be sluggish, but ^(FW)imitators of those who through ^(FX)faith and endurance ^(FY)inherit the promises.

¹³ For ^(FZ)when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He ^(GA)swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “^(GB)indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, ^(GC)having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. ^16 (GD)For people swear an oath by ^[bc]one greater than themselves, and with them ^(GE)an oath serving as confirmation is an end of every dispute. ^17 [bd]In the same way God, desiring even more to demonstrate to ^(GF)the heirs of the promise ^[be](GG)the fact that His purpose is unchangeable, ^[bf]confirmed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things in which ^(GH)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to hold firmly to ^(GI)the hope set before us. ^19 [bg]This ^(GJ)hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which ^(GK)enters ^[bh]within the veil, ^20 (GL)where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a ^(GM)high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

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

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(GR)patriarch, ^(GS)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of ^(GT)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment ^[bi]in the Law to collect ^[bj]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they ^[bk]are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one ^(GU)whose genealogy is not traced from them ^(GV)collected ^[bl]a tenth from Abraham and ^[bm](GW)blessed the one who ^(GX)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, ^(GY)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 ^[bn]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

^11 (GZ)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(HA)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(HB)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 ^(HC)the one about whom ^(HD)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 ^[bo]was ^(HE)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 ^[bp](HF)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(HG)an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment ^(HI)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(HJ)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better ^(HK)hope, through which we ^(HL)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 ^[bq](HP)guarantee of ^(HQ)a better covenant.

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

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(HV)high priest, ^(HW)holy, ^(HX)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and ^(HY)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who has no daily need, like those high priests, to ^(HZ)offer up sacrifices, ^(IA)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this ^(IB)once for all time when He ^(IC)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(ID)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(IE)a Son, who has been ^(IF)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a ^(IG)high priest, who has taken His seat at ^(IH)the right hand of the throne of the ^(II)Majesty in the heavens, ² a ^(IJ)minister ^[bu]in the sanctuary and ^[bv]in the ^(IK)true ^[bw]tabernacle, which the Lord ^(IL)set up, not man. ³ For every ^(IM)high priest is appointed ^(IN)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 ^[bx]those who ^(IO)offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve ^(IP)a copy and ^(IQ)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses ^[by]was ^(IR)warned by God when he was about to erect the ^[bz]tabernacle; for, “^(IS)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 ^(IT)mediator of ^(IU)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

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

^13 [cf]When He said, “^(JF)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. ^(JG)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ^[cg]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had ^(JH)regulations for divine worship and ^(JI)the earthly sanctuary. ² For ^(JJ)a ^[ch]tabernacle was equipped, the ^[ci]outer sanctuary, in which were ^(JK)the lampstand, ^(JL)the table, and ^(JM)the ^[cj]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(JN)the second veil there was a ^[ck]tabernacle which is called the ^(JO)Most Holy Place, ⁴ having a golden ^[cl](JP)altar of incense and ^(JQ)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(JR)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(JS)Aaron’s staff which budded, and ^(JT)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the ^(JU)cherubim of glory ^(JV)overshadowing the ^[cm]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(JW)are continually entering the ^[cn]outer ^[co]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into ^(JX)the second, only ^(JY)the high priest enters ^(JZ)once a year, ^(KA)not without taking blood which he ^(KB)offers for himself and for the ^[cp](KC)sins of the people committed in ignorance. ^8 (KD)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(KE)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^[cq]outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(KF)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(KG)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to ^(KH)food, ^(KI)drink, and various ^(KJ)washings, ^(KK)regulations for the ^[cr]body imposed until ^(KL)a time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a ^(KM)high priest of the ^(KN)good things ^[cs]having come, He entered through ^(KO)the greater and more perfect ^[ct]tabernacle, ^(KP)not made by hands, that is, ^(KQ)not of this creation; ¹² and not through ^(KR)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(KS)through His own blood, He ^(KT)entered the holy place ^(KU)once for all time, ^[cu]having obtained ^(KV)eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(KW)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(KX)the ^[cv]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^[cw]cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(KY)the blood of Christ, who through ^[cx](KZ)the eternal Spirit ^(LA)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(LB)cleanse your conscience from ^(LC)dead works to serve ^(LD)the living God?

¹⁵ For this reason ^(LE)He is the ^(LF)mediator of a ^(LG)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 ^(LH)called may ^(LI)receive the promise of ^(LJ)the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a ^[cy]covenant, there must of necessity ^[cz]be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a ^[da]covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^[db]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 ^(LK)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(LL)he took the ^(LM)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(LN)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(LO)the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “^(LP)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” ²¹ And in the same way he ^(LQ)sprinkled both the ^[dc]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And ^(LR)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(LS)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the ^(LT)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(LU)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ ^(LV)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(LW)the true one, but into ^(LX)heaven itself, now ^(LY)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(LZ)the high priest enters ^(MA)the Holy Place ^(MB)year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(MC)the foundation of the world; but now ^(MD)once at ^(ME)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(MF)revealed to put away sin ^[dd](MG)by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And just as ^(MH)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(MI)comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been ^(MJ)offered once to ^(MK)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(ML)a second time for ^(MM)salvation ^(MN)without reference to sin, to those who ^(MO)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(MP)a shadow of ^(MQ)the good things to come and not the ^[de]form of those things itself, ^[df]can ^(MR)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(MS)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 ^(MT)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(MU)in ^[dg]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is ^(MV)impossible for the ^(MW)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(MX)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(ND)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(NE)whole burnt offerings and offerings ^(NF)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[dh]said, “^(NG)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[di]this will, we have been ^(NH)sanctified through ^(NI)the offering of ^(NJ)the body of Jesus Christ ^(NK)once for all time.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(NL)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(NM)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(NN)for ^[dj]sins ^(NO)for all time, ^(NP)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(NQ)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(NR)perfected ^(NS)for all time those who are ^[dk]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(NT)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 ^(NW)have confidence to ^(NX)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(NY)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(NZ)the veil, that is, through His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(OA)a great priest ^(OB)over the house of God, ²² let’s ^(OC)approach God with a ^[dl]sincere heart in ^(OD)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(OE)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(OF)washed with pure water. ²³ Let’s hold firmly to the ^(OG)confession of our ^(OH)hope without wavering, for ^(OI)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let’s consider how ^(OJ)to ^[dm]encourage one another in love and ^(OK)good deeds, ²⁵ not abandoning our own ^(OL)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(OM)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(ON)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(OO)sinning willfully after receiving ^(OP)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(OQ)judgment and ^(OR)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (OS)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (OT)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(OU)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(OV)the blood of the covenant ^(OW)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(OX)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(OY)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(OZ)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(PA)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(PB)living God.

³² But remember ^(PC)the former days, ^[dn]when, after being ^(PD)enlightened, you endured a great ^(PE)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(PF)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^[do](PG)companions with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(PH)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(PI)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(PJ)a better and lasting possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(PK)confidence, which has a great ^(PL)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(PM)endurance, so that when you have ^(PN)done the will of God, you may ^(PO)receive ^[dp]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[dq]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 ^(PS)certainty of things ^[dr](PT)hoped for, a ^[ds]proof of ^(PU)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(PV)people of old ^[dt](PW)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[du](PX)world has been created ^(PY)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(PZ)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(QA)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(QB)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[dv]about his ^(QC)gifts, and through ^[dw]faith, though ^(QD)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(QE)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(QF)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 ^(QG)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(QH)Noah, being ^(QI)warned by God about ^(QJ)things not yet seen, ^[dx](QK)in reverence ^(QL)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(QM)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(QN)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[dy]by going out to a place which he was to ^(QO)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(QP)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(QQ)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(QR)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(QS)the city which has ^(QT)foundations, ^(QU)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(QV)Sarah herself received ^[dz]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(QW)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(QX)one who was as good as dead ^[ea]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(QY)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (QZ)All these died in faith, ^(RA)without receiving the promises, but ^(RB)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(RC)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 ^[eb]thinking of that country which they left, ^(RD)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(RE)heavenly one. Therefore ^(RF)God is not ^[ec]ashamed to be ^(RG)called their God; for ^(RH)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(RI)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(RJ)received the promises was offering up his ^[ed]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(RK)Through Isaac your ^[ee]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [ef]He considered that ^(RL)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[eg]as a ^[eh](RM)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(RN)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(RO)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(RP)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(RQ)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(RR)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 ^(RS)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(RT)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(RU)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (RV)considering the ^[ei]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(RW)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(RX)left Egypt, not ^(RY)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(RZ)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[ej](SA)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(SB)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(SC)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[ek]drowned.

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

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(SG)Gideon, ^(SH)Barak, ^(SI)Samson, ^(SJ)Jephthah, of ^(SK)David and ^(SL)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(SM)conquered kingdoms, ^(SN)performed acts of righteousness, ^(SO)obtained promises, ^(SP)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (SQ)quenched the power of fire, ^(SR)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(SS)became mighty in war, ^(ST)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (SU)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[en]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[eo]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(SV)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(SW)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[ep]they were tempted, they were ^(SX)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(SY)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(SZ)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(TA)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[eq]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(TB)gained approval through their faith, ^(TC)did not receive ^[er]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[es]provided ^(TD)something better for us, so that ^(TE)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 ^(TF)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s ^(TG)run with ^(TH)endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking only at Jesus, the ^[et](TI)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(TJ)endured the cross, ^(TK)despising the shame, and has ^(TL)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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

A Father’s Discipline

^4 (TO)You have not yet resisted ^[ev](TP)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; ^(TU)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, ^(TV)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had ^[ew]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(TW)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^(TX)the Father of ^[ex]spirits, and ^(TY)live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(TZ)so that we may share His holiness. ^11 (UA)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 ^(UB)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

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

^14 (UF)Pursue peace with all people, and the ^(UG)holiness without which no one will ^(UH)see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(UI)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(UJ)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^(UK)defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no ^(UL)sexually immoral or ^(UM)godless person like Esau, ^(UN)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterward, ^(UO)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 (UP)For you have not come to ^(UQ)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(UR)blast of a trumpet and the ^(US)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^(UT)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not ^[ez]cope with the command, “^(UU)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^(UV)I am terrified and trembling.” ²² But ^(UW)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(UX)the city of ^(UY)the living God, ^(UZ)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(VA)myriads of ^[fa]angels, ²³ to the general assembly and ^(VB)church of the firstborn who ^(VC)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(VD)the Judge of all, and to the ^(VE)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(VF)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(VG)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(VH)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

^25 (VI)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(VJ)speaking. For ^(VK)if those did not escape when they ^(VL)refused him who ^(VM)warned them on earth, ^[fb]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(VN)warns us from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(VO)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(VP)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^(VQ)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 ^(VR)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s ^[fc]show gratitude, by which we may ^(VS)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(VT)our God is a consuming fire.