6 Therefore leaving the basic teaching of the Messiah, let us move on toward maturity—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of trust in God, ² of teaching about immersions, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³ Now this we will do, if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible for those who once were enlightened—having tasted of the heavenly gift and become partakers of the Ruach ha-Kodesh, ⁵ and having tasted the good word of God and the powers of the olam ha-ba, ⁶ and then having fallen away—to renew again to repentance, since they are again crucifying Ben-Elohim for themselves and publicly disgracing Him. ⁷ For the earth—having soaked up the rain frequently falling on it—brings forth vegetation^[a] useful to those for whom it is farmed; and it shares in God’s blessing. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed—its end is to be burned over.^[b]

⁹ But even though we speak like this, loved ones, concerning you we are convinced of better things^[c]—things coming with salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love that you showed for His name, in having served and continuing to serve the kedoshim. ¹¹ But we long for each of you to show the same eagerness for the certainty of hope to the very end— ¹² so you will not be sluggish,^[d] but imitators of those inheriting the promises through trust and perseverance.

The Promise and the Oath

¹³ Now when God made His promise to Abraham—since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “Surely I will bless you, and surely I will multiply you.” ^{[e] 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham reached the promise. ^{[f] 16} For people swear by someone greater; and the oath, as confirmation, is an end to all their disputing. ¹⁷ In the same way God, determining to point out more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchanging nature of His purpose, guaranteed it with an oath. ¹⁸ So by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie,^[g] we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, both firm and steady—a hope that enters the inner place behind the curtain. ^{[h] 20} Yeshua has entered there as a forerunner on our behalf, having become Kohen Gadol “forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”^[i]