⁴ For it is impossible that those who once received the light and tasted of that heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit

⁵ and likewise have tasted the good word of God and the virtue of the age to come,

⁶ and have backslidden, be renewed again by repentance, crucifying again for themselves the Son of God and putting him to an open shame.

⁷ For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it and brings forth herbs in season for those by whom it is dressed receives blessing from God;

⁸ but that which bears thorns and briers is rejected and is near unto cursing, whose end shall be by fire.

²⁶ For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

²⁷ but a certain fearful hope of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

²⁸ He that despised the law of Moses died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

²⁹ Of how much greater punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden underfoot the Son of God and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

³⁰ For we know who he is that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

¹⁴ Follow peace with everyone and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord:

¹⁵ looking diligently that no one deviate from the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up impede you, and thereby many be defiled,

¹⁶ lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

¹⁷ For ye know how that afterward, desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.