Hebrews 11
New American Standard Bible
The Triumphs of Faith
11 Now faith is the (A)certainty of things [a](B)hoped for, a [b]proof of (C)things not seen. 2 For by it the (D)people of old [c](E)gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the [d](F)world has been created (G)by the word of God so that what is seen (H)has not been made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith (I)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was (J)attested to be righteous, God testifying [e]about his (K)gifts, and through [f]faith, though (L)he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith (M)Enoch was taken up so that he would not (N)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 (O)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. 7 By faith (P)Noah, being (Q)warned by God about (R)things not yet seen, [g](S)in reverence (T)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of (U)the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith (V)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [h]by going out to a place which he was to (W)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a stranger in (X)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (Y)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, (Z)fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for (AA)the city which has (AB)foundations, (AC)whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even (AD)Sarah herself received [i]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him (AE)faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore even from one man, and (AF)one who was as good as dead [j]at that, there were born descendants who were (AG)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.
13 (AH)All these died in faith, (AI)without receiving the promises, but (AJ)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and (AK)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 [k]thinking of that country which they left, (AL)they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a (AM)heavenly one. Therefore (AN)God is not [l]ashamed to be (AO)called their God; for (AP)He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith (AQ)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had (AR)received the promises was offering up his [m]only son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “(AS)Through Isaac your [n]descendants shall be named.” 19 [o]He considered that (AT)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back [p]as a [q](AU)type. 20 By faith (AV)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith (AW)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and (AX)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith (AY)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith (AZ)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 (BA)king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, (BB)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to (BC)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26 (BD)considering the [r]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the (BE)reward. 27 By faith he (BF)left Egypt, not (BG)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though (BH)seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he [s](BI)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that (BJ)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they (BK)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were [t]drowned.
30 By faith (BL)the walls of Jericho fell down [u](BM)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute (BN)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies [v]in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of (BO)Gideon, (BP)Barak, (BQ)Samson, (BR)Jephthah, of (BS)David and (BT)Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith (BU)conquered kingdoms, (BV)performed acts of righteousness, (BW)obtained promises, (BX)shut the mouths of lions, 34 (BY)quenched the power of fire, (BZ)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, (CA)became mighty in war, (CB)put foreign armies to flight. 35 (CC)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their [w]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others [x]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, (CD)chains and imprisonment. 37 They were (CE)stoned, they were sawn in two, [y]they were tempted, they were (CF)put to death with the sword; they went about (CG)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, (CH)tormented 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), (CI)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes [z]in the ground.
39 And all these, having (CJ)gained approval through their faith, (CK)did not receive [aa]what was promised, 40 because God had [ab]provided (CL)something better for us, so that (CM)apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 11:1 Or expected
- Hebrews 11:1 Or conviction about
- Hebrews 11:2 Lit obtained a good testimony
- Hebrews 11:3 Or worlds were; lit ages
- Hebrews 11:4 I.e., by receiving his gifts
- Hebrews 11:4 Lit it
- Hebrews 11:7 Or was reverent and prepared
- Hebrews 11:8 Lit to go out
- Hebrews 11:11 Lit power for the laying down of seed
- Hebrews 11:12 Lit in these things
- Hebrews 11:15 Or remembering
- Hebrews 11:16 Lit ashamed of them, to be
- Hebrews 11:17 I.e., only son with Sarah
- Hebrews 11:18 Lit seed
- Hebrews 11:19 Lit Considering
- Hebrews 11:19 Lit in
- Hebrews 11:19 I.e., of resurrection, figuratively, pointing to the future
- Hebrews 11:26 I.e., insults like those later suffered by Christ
- Hebrews 11:28 Lit has kept
- Hebrews 11:29 Lit swallowed up
- Hebrews 11:30 Lit after they had been encircled for
- Hebrews 11:31 Lit with
- Hebrews 11:35 Lit redemption
- Hebrews 11:36 Lit received the trial of
- Hebrews 11:37 One early ms does not contain they were tempted
- Hebrews 11:38 Lit of
- Hebrews 11:39 Lit the promise
- Hebrews 11:40 Or foreseen
Hebrews 6-13
New American Standard Bible
The Danger of Falling Away
6 Therefore (A)leaving (B)the [a]elementary teaching about the [b]Christ, let us press on to [c](C)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from (D)dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of (E)instruction about [d]washings and (F)laying on of hands, and about the (G)resurrection of the dead and (H)eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, (I)if God permits. 4 For it is (J)impossible, in the case of those who have once been (K)enlightened and have tasted of (L)the heavenly gift and have been made (M)partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and (N)have tasted the good (O)word of God and the powers of (P)the age to come, 6 and then have [e]fallen away, to (Q)restore them again to repentance, [f](R)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 [g]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those (S)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and [h](T)close to being cursed, and [i]it ends up being burned.
Better Things for You
9 But, (U)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that [j]accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. 10 For (V)God is not unjust so as to forget (W)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having (X)served and by still serving the [k]saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence [l]so as to realize the (Y)full assurance of (Z)hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but (AA)imitators of those who through (AB)faith and endurance (AC)inherit the promises.
13 For (AD)when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He (AE)swore by Himself, 14 saying, “(AF)indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply you.” 15 And so, (AG)having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. 16 (AH)For people swear an oath by [m]one greater than themselves, and with them (AI)an oath serving as confirmation is an end of every dispute. 17 [n]In the same way God, desiring even more to demonstrate to (AJ)the heirs of the promise [o](AK)the fact that His purpose is unchangeable, [p]confirmed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which (AL)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to hold firmly to (AM)the hope set before us. 19 [q]This (AN)hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which (AO)enters [r]within the veil, 20 (AP)where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a (AQ)high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s
7 For this (AR)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the (AS)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, (AT)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like (AU)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the (AV)patriarch, (AW)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of (AX)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment [s]in the Law to collect [t]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they [u]are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one (AY)whose genealogy is not traced from them (AZ)collected [v]a tenth from Abraham and [w](BA)blessed the one who (BB)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, (BC)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 [x]forefather when Melchizedek met him.
11 (BD)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it (BE)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise (BF)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 (BG)the one about whom (BH)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 [y]was (BI)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 [z](BJ)physical requirement, but according to the power of (BK)an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,
“(BL)You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment (BM)because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for (BN)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better (BO)hope, through which we (BP)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 [aa](BT)guarantee of (BU)a better covenant.
23 [ab]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing; 24 [ac]Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues (BV)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is also able to (BW)save [ad]forever those who (BX)come to God through Him, since He always lives to (BY)make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a (BZ)high priest, (CA)holy, (CB)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and (CC)exalted above the heavens; 27 who has no daily need, like those high priests, to (CD)offer up sacrifices, (CE)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this (CF)once for all time when He (CG)offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests (CH)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints (CI)a Son, who has been (CJ)made perfect forever.
A Better Ministry
8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a (CK)high priest, who has taken His seat at (CL)the right hand of the throne of the (CM)Majesty in the heavens, 2 a (CN)minister [ae]in the sanctuary and [af]in the (CO)true [ag]tabernacle, which the Lord (CP)set up, not man. 3 For every (CQ)high priest is appointed (CR)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 [ah]those who (CS)offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve (CT)a copy and (CU)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses [ai]was (CV)warned by God when he was about to erect the [aj]tabernacle; for, “(CW)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 (CX)mediator of (CY)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
A New Covenant
7 For (CZ)if that first covenant had been free of fault, no [ak]circumstances would have been sought for a second. 8 For in finding fault with [al]the people, He says,
“(DA)Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,
[am]When I will bring about (DB)a new covenant
With the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
9 (DC)Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers
On the day I took them by the hand
To bring them out of the land of Egypt;
For they did not continue in My covenant,
And I did not care about them, says the Lord.
10 (DD)For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, declares the Lord:
[an]I will put My laws into their minds,
And write them (DE)on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
11 (DF)And they will not teach, each one his fellow citizen,
And each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For (DG)they will all know Me,
From [ao]the least to the greatest of them.
12 (DH)For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings,
(DI)And their sins I will no longer remember.”
13 [ap]When He said, “(DJ)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. (DK)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is [aq]about to disappear.
The Old and the New
9 Now even the first covenant had (DL)regulations for divine worship and (DM)the earthly sanctuary. 2 For (DN)a [ar]tabernacle was equipped, the [as]outer sanctuary, in which were (DO)the lampstand, (DP)the table, and (DQ)the [at]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind (DR)the second veil there was a [au]tabernacle which is called the (DS)Most Holy Place, 4 having a golden [av](DT)altar of incense and (DU)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was (DV)a golden jar holding the manna, (DW)Aaron’s staff which budded, and (DX)the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the (DY)cherubim of glory (DZ)overshadowing the [aw]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests (EA)are continually entering the [ax]outer [ay]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, 7 but into (EB)the second, only (EC)the high priest enters (ED)once a year, (EE)not without taking blood which he (EF)offers for himself and for the [az](EG)sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 (EH)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, (EI)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the [ba]outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly (EJ)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which (EK)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to (EL)food, (EM)drink, and various (EN)washings, (EO)regulations for the [bb]body imposed until (EP)a time of reformation.
11 But when Christ appeared as a (EQ)high priest of the (ER)good things [bc]having come, He entered through (ES)the greater and more perfect [bd]tabernacle, (ET)not made by hands, that is, (EU)not of this creation; 12 and not through (EV)the blood of goats and calves, but (EW)through His own blood, He (EX)entered the holy place (EY)once for all time, [be]having obtained (EZ)eternal redemption. 13 For if (FA)the blood of goats and bulls, and (FB)the [bf]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the [bg]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will (FC)the blood of Christ, who through [bh](FD)the eternal Spirit (FE)offered Himself without blemish to God, (FF)cleanse your conscience from (FG)dead works to serve (FH)the living God?
15 For this reason (FI)He is the (FJ)mediator of a (FK)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 (FL)called may (FM)receive the promise of (FN)the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a [bi]covenant, there must of necessity [bj]be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a [bk]covenant is valid only when people are dead, [bl]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 (FO)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, (FP)he took the (FQ)blood of the calves and the goats, with (FR)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both (FS)the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “(FT)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he (FU)sprinkled both the [bm]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And (FV)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and (FW)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore it was necessary for the (FX)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but (FY)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ (FZ)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of (GA)the true one, but into (GB)heaven itself, now (GC)to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as (GD)the high priest enters (GE)the Holy Place (GF)year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since (GG)the foundation of the world; but now (GH)once at (GI)the consummation of the ages He has been (GJ)revealed to put away sin [bn](GK)by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as (GL)it is destined for people to die once, and after this (GM)comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been (GN)offered once to (GO)bear the sins of many, will appear (GP)a second time for (GQ)salvation (GR)without reference to sin, to those who (GS)eagerly await Him.
One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient
10 For the Law, since it has only (GT)a shadow of (GU)the good things to come and not the [bo]form of those things itself, [bp]can (GV)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, (GW)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 (GX)consciousness of sins? 3 But (GY)in [bq]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is (GZ)impossible for the (HA)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, (HB)when He comes into the world, He says,
“(HC)You have not desired sacrifice and offering,
But (HD)You have prepared a body for Me;
6 (HE)You have not taken pleasure in whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin.
7 (HF)Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come
(It is written of Me in (HG)the scroll of the book)
To do Your will, O God.’”
8 After saying above, “(HH)Sacrifices and offerings and (HI)whole burnt offerings and offerings (HJ)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He [br]said, “(HK)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By [bs]this will, we have been (HL)sanctified through (HM)the offering of (HN)the body of Jesus Christ (HO)once for all time.
11 Every priest stands daily ministering and (HP)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which (HQ)can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice (HR)for [bt]sins (HS)for all time, (HT)sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward (HU)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has (HV)perfected (HW)for all time those who are [bu]sanctified. 15 And (HX)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
16 “(HY)This is the covenant which I will make with them
After those days, declares the Lord:
I will put My laws upon their hearts,
And write them on their mind,”
He then says,
17 “(HZ)And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will no longer remember.”
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 (IA)have confidence to (IB)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by (IC)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through (ID)the veil, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have (IE)a great priest (IF)over the house of God, 22 let’s (IG)approach God with a [bv]sincere heart in (IH)full assurance of faith, having our hearts (II)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies (IJ)washed with pure water. 23 Let’s hold firmly to the (IK)confession of our (IL)hope without wavering, for (IM)He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how (IN)to [bw]encourage one another in love and (IO)good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own (IP)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but (IQ)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see (IR)the day drawing near.
Christ or Judgment
26 For if we go on (IS)sinning willfully after receiving (IT)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of (IU)judgment and (IV)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 (IW)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 (IX)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve (IY)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean (IZ)the blood of the covenant (JA)by which he was sanctified, and has (JB)insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “(JC)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “(JD)The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a (JE)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the (JF)living God.
32 But remember (JG)the former days, [bx]when, after being (JH)enlightened, you endured a great (JI)conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being (JJ)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming [by](JK)companions with those who were so treated. 34 For you (JL)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted (JM)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves (JN)a better and lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your (JO)confidence, which has a great (JP)reward. 36 For you have need of (JQ)endurance, so that when you have (JR)done the will of God, you may (JS)receive [bz]what was promised.
37 (JT)For yet in a very little while,
(JU)He who is coming will come, and will not delay.
38 (JV)But My righteous one will live by faith;
And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.
39 But [ca]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 (JW)certainty of things [cb](JX)hoped for, a [cc]proof of (JY)things not seen. 2 For by it the (JZ)people of old [cd](KA)gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the [ce](KB)world has been created (KC)by the word of God so that what is seen (KD)has not been made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith (KE)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was (KF)attested to be righteous, God testifying [cf]about his (KG)gifts, and through [cg]faith, though (KH)he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith (KI)Enoch was taken up so that he would not (KJ)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 (KK)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. 7 By faith (KL)Noah, being (KM)warned by God about (KN)things not yet seen, [ch](KO)in reverence (KP)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of (KQ)the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith (KR)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [ci]by going out to a place which he was to (KS)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a stranger in (KT)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (KU)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, (KV)fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for (KW)the city which has (KX)foundations, (KY)whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even (KZ)Sarah herself received [cj]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him (LA)faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore even from one man, and (LB)one who was as good as dead [ck]at that, there were born descendants who were (LC)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.
13 (LD)All these died in faith, (LE)without receiving the promises, but (LF)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and (LG)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 [cl]thinking of that country which they left, (LH)they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a (LI)heavenly one. Therefore (LJ)God is not [cm]ashamed to be (LK)called their God; for (LL)He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith (LM)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had (LN)received the promises was offering up his [cn]only son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “(LO)Through Isaac your [co]descendants shall be named.” 19 [cp]He considered that (LP)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back [cq]as a [cr](LQ)type. 20 By faith (LR)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith (LS)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and (LT)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith (LU)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith (LV)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 (LW)king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, (LX)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to (LY)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26 (LZ)considering the [cs]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the (MA)reward. 27 By faith he (MB)left Egypt, not (MC)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though (MD)seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he [ct](ME)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that (MF)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they (MG)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were [cu]drowned.
30 By faith (MH)the walls of Jericho fell down [cv](MI)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute (MJ)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies [cw]in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of (MK)Gideon, (ML)Barak, (MM)Samson, (MN)Jephthah, of (MO)David and (MP)Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith (MQ)conquered kingdoms, (MR)performed acts of righteousness, (MS)obtained promises, (MT)shut the mouths of lions, 34 (MU)quenched the power of fire, (MV)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, (MW)became mighty in war, (MX)put foreign armies to flight. 35 (MY)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their [cx]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others [cy]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, (MZ)chains and imprisonment. 37 They were (NA)stoned, they were sawn in two, [cz]they were tempted, they were (NB)put to death with the sword; they went about (NC)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, (ND)tormented 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), (NE)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes [da]in the ground.
39 And all these, having (NF)gained approval through their faith, (NG)did not receive [db]what was promised, 40 because God had [dc]provided (NH)something better for us, so that (NI)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 (NJ)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s (NK)run with (NL)endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking only at Jesus, the [dd](NM)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him (NN)endured the cross, (NO)despising the shame, and has (NP)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For (NQ)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary [de](NR)and lose heart.
A Father’s Discipline
4 (NS)You have not yet resisted [df](NT)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,
“(NU)My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor (NV)faint when you are punished by Him;
6 (NW)For (NX)whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He punishes every son whom He accepts.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; (NY)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, (NZ)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had [dg]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we (OA)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to (OB)the Father of [dh]spirits, and (OC)live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, (OD)so that we may share His holiness. 11 (OE)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 (OF)peaceful fruit of righteousness.
12 Therefore, [di](OG)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and (OH)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather (OI)be healed.
14 (OJ)Pursue peace with all people, and the (OK)holiness without which no one will (OL)see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one (OM)comes short of the grace of God; that no (ON)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become (OO)defiled; 16 that there be no (OP)sexually immoral or (OQ)godless person like Esau, (OR)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterward, (OS)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 (OT)For you have not come to (OU)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the (OV)blast of a trumpet and the (OW)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard (OX)begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not [dj]cope with the command, “(OY)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “(OZ)I am terrified and trembling.” 22 But (PA)you have come to Mount Zion and to (PB)the city of (PC)the living God, (PD)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to (PE)myriads of [dk]angels, 23 to the general assembly and (PF)church of the firstborn who (PG)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, (PH)the Judge of all, and to the (PI)spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the (PJ)mediator of a new covenant, and to the (PK)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than (PL)the blood of Abel.
The Unshaken Kingdom
25 (PM)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is (PN)speaking. For (PO)if those did not escape when they (PP)refused him who (PQ)warned them on earth, [dl]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who (PR)warns us from heaven. 26 And (PS)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “(PT)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes (PU)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 (PV)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s [dm]show gratitude, by which we may (PW)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for (PX)our God is a consuming fire.
The Changeless Christ
13 Let (PY)love of the brothers and sisters continue. 2 Do not neglect (PZ)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have (QA)entertained angels without knowing it. 3 (QB)Remember (QC)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. 4 (QD)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; (QE)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. 5 Make sure that your character is (QF)free from the love of money, (QG)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “(QH)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” 6 so that we confidently say,
“(QI)The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
7 Remember (QJ)those who led you, who spoke (QK)the word of God to you; and considering the [dn]result of their way of life, (QL)imitate their faith. 8 (QM)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. 9 (QN)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to (QO)be strengthened by grace, not by (QP)foods, (QQ)through which those who [do]were so occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar (QR)from which those (QS)who serve the [dp]tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For (QT)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 (QU)outside the gate, (QV)that He might sanctify the people (QW)through His own blood. 13 So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, (QX)bearing His reproach. 14 For here (QY)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking (QZ)the city which is to come.
God-pleasing Sacrifices
15 (RA)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a (RB)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, (RC)the fruit of lips praising His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and (RD)sharing, for (RE)with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 (RF)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for (RG)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not [dq]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.
18 (RH)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a (RI)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, (RJ)so that I may be restored to you more quickly.
Benediction
20 Now may (RK)the God of peace, who (RL)brought up from the dead the (RM)great Shepherd of the sheep [dr]through (RN)the blood of the (RO)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 (RP)equip you in every good thing to do His will, (RQ)working in us that (RR)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, (RS)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 But (RT)I urge you, (RU)brothers and sisters, [ds]listen patiently to [dt]this (RV)word of exhortation, for (RW)I have written to you briefly. 23 Know that (RX)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. 24 Greet (RY)all of your leaders and all the [du](RZ)saints. Those from (SA)Italy greet you.
25 (SB)Grace be with you all.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 6:1 Lit word of the beginning
- Hebrews 6:1 I.e., Messiah
- Hebrews 6:1 Or perfection
- Hebrews 6:2 Or baptisms
- Hebrews 6:6 Or committed apostasy; i.e., renounced the faith
- Hebrews 6:6 Or while
- Hebrews 6:7 Lit comes
- Hebrews 6:8 Lit near to a curse
- Hebrews 6:8 Lit whose end is for burning
- Hebrews 6:9 Or belong to
- Hebrews 6:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Hebrews 6:11 Lit to the full
- Hebrews 6:16 Or Him who is greater
- Hebrews 6:17 Lit In which
- Hebrews 6:17 Lit the unchangeableness of His
- Hebrews 6:17 Or mediated
- Hebrews 6:19 Lit Which hope we have
- Hebrews 6:19 Or inside
- Hebrews 7:5 Lit according to
- Hebrews 7:5 Or tithes
- Hebrews 7:5 Lit have come out of the loins of
- Hebrews 7:6 Or tithes
- Hebrews 7:6 Lit has blessed
- Hebrews 7:10 Lit father
- Hebrews 7:14 Lit has arisen from
- Hebrews 7:16 Lit fleshly commandment; i.e., to be a descendant of Levi
- Hebrews 7:22 Or guarantor
- Hebrews 7:23 Lit The greater number have become priests...
- Hebrews 7:24 Lit He
- Hebrews 7:25 Or completely
- Hebrews 8:2 Or of
- Hebrews 8:2 Or of
- Hebrews 8:2 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 8:4 I.e., temple priests
- Hebrews 8:5 Lit has been
- Hebrews 8:5 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 8:7 Lit place
- Hebrews 8:8 Lit them
- Hebrews 8:8 Lit And
- Hebrews 8:10 Lit Putting my laws into...
- Hebrews 8:11 Lit small to great of them
- Hebrews 8:13 Or In His saying
- Hebrews 8:13 Or near destruction
- Hebrews 9:2 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 9:2 Lit first
- Hebrews 9:2 Lit loaves of presentation
- Hebrews 9:3 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 9:4 Or censer
- Hebrews 9:5 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
- Hebrews 9:6 Lit first
- Hebrews 9:6 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 9:7 Lit ignorance of the people
- Hebrews 9:8 Lit first
- Hebrews 9:10 Lit flesh
- Hebrews 9:11 One early ms to come
- Hebrews 9:11 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 9:12 Or obtaining
- Hebrews 9:13 I.e., ashes mixed in water
- Hebrews 9:13 Lit purity
- Hebrews 9:14 Or His eternal spirit
- Hebrews 9:16 Or testament
- Hebrews 9:16 Lit be brought
- Hebrews 9:17 Or testament
- Hebrews 9:17 One early ms for is it then...lives?
- Hebrews 9:21 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 9:26 Or by His sacrifice
- Hebrews 10:1 Lit image
- Hebrews 10:1 One early ms they can
- Hebrews 10:3 Lit them there is
- Hebrews 10:9 Lit has said
- Hebrews 10:10 Lit which
- Hebrews 10:12 Or sins, forever sat down
- Hebrews 10:14 Or being sanctified
- Hebrews 10:22 Lit true
- Hebrews 10:24 Or stir up
- Hebrews 10:32 Lit in which
- Hebrews 10:33 Or partners
- Hebrews 10:36 Lit the promise
- Hebrews 10:39 Lit we are not of shrinking back...but of faith
- Hebrews 11:1 Or expected
- Hebrews 11:1 Or conviction about
- Hebrews 11:2 Lit obtained a good testimony
- Hebrews 11:3 Or worlds were; lit ages
- Hebrews 11:4 I.e., by receiving his gifts
- Hebrews 11:4 Lit it
- Hebrews 11:7 Or was reverent and prepared
- Hebrews 11:8 Lit to go out
- Hebrews 11:11 Lit power for the laying down of seed
- Hebrews 11:12 Lit in these things
- Hebrews 11:15 Or remembering
- Hebrews 11:16 Lit ashamed of them, to be
- Hebrews 11:17 I.e., only son with Sarah
- Hebrews 11:18 Lit seed
- Hebrews 11:19 Lit Considering
- Hebrews 11:19 Lit in
- Hebrews 11:19 I.e., of resurrection, figuratively, pointing to the future
- Hebrews 11:26 I.e., insults like those later suffered by Christ
- Hebrews 11:28 Lit has kept
- Hebrews 11:29 Lit swallowed up
- Hebrews 11:30 Lit after they had been encircled for
- Hebrews 11:31 Lit with
- Hebrews 11:35 Lit redemption
- Hebrews 11:36 Lit received the trial of
- Hebrews 11:37 One early ms does not contain they were tempted
- Hebrews 11:38 Lit of
- Hebrews 11:39 Lit the promise
- Hebrews 11:40 Or foreseen
- Hebrews 12:2 Or leader
- Hebrews 12:3 Lit fainting in your souls
- Hebrews 12:4 Lit as far as blood
- Hebrews 12:9 Lit fathers of our flesh
- Hebrews 12:9 Or our spirits
- Hebrews 12:12 Lit make straight
- Hebrews 12:20 Lit bear
- Hebrews 12:22 Or angels in festive gathering, and to the church
- Hebrews 12:25 Lit much rather we will not escape...
- Hebrews 12:28 Lit have
- Hebrews 13:7 Or end of their life
- Hebrews 13:9 Lit walked
- Hebrews 13:10 Or sacred tent
- Hebrews 13:17 Or sighing
- Hebrews 13:20 Lit in
- Hebrews 13:22 Or listen to
- Hebrews 13:22 Lit the
- Hebrews 13:24 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.