Treatment of Church Members

5 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Honor True Widows

³ Honor widows who are really widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and ^(A)to repay their parents; for this is ^[a]good and acceptable before God. ⁵ Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers ^(B)night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in ^[b]pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷ And these things command, that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, ^(C)and especially for those of his household, ^(D)he has denied the faith ^(E)and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

¹¹ But ^[c]refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, ¹² having condemnation because they have cast off their first ^[d]faith. ¹³ And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. ¹⁴ Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing ^[e]man or woman has widows, let them ^[f]relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Honor the Elders

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, ^(F)“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, ^(G)“The laborer is worthy of his wages.” ¹⁹ Do not receive an accusation against an elder except ^(H)from two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

²¹ I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the ^[g]elect angels that you observe these things without ^(I)prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. ²² Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor ^(J)share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

²³ No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent ^[h]infirmities.

²⁴ Some men’s sins are ^(K)clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. ²⁵ Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

Honor Masters

6 Let as many ^(L)bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. ² And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Error and Greed

³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to ^(M)wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(N)and to the ^[i]doctrine which accords with godliness, ⁴ he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, ^5 [j]useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. ^[k]From ^(O)such withdraw yourself.

⁶ Now godliness with ^(P)contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, ^[l]and it is ^(Q)certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be ^(R)content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The Good Confession

¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus ^(S)who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, ¹⁵ which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only ^[m]Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, dwelling in ^(T)unapproachable light, ^(U)whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Instructions to the Rich

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain ^(V)riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things ^(W)to enjoy. ¹⁸ Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, ^19 (X)storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Guard the Faith

²⁰ O Timothy! ^(Y)Guard what was committed to your trust, ^(Z)avoiding the profane and ^[n]idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— ²¹ by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of ^[a]Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the ^(A)promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, a ^(B)beloved son:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy’s Faith and Heritage

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my ^(C)forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, ⁴ greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, ⁵ when I call to remembrance ^(D)the ^[b]genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and ^(E)your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. ⁶ Therefore I remind you ^(F)to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For ^(G)God has not given us a spirit of fear, ^(H)but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

^8 (I)Therefore do not be ashamed of ^(J)the testimony of our Lord, nor of me ^(K)His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, ^(L)not according to our works, but ^(M)according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus ^(N)before time began, ¹⁰ but ^(O)has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ^11 (P)to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher ^[c]of the Gentiles. ¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, ^(Q)for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Be Loyal to the Faith

^13 (R)Hold fast ^(S)the pattern of ^(T)sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

¹⁵ This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ The Lord grant mercy to the ^(U)household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; ¹⁷ but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. ¹⁸ The Lord ^(V)grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord ^(W)in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ^(X)ministered ^[d]to me at Ephesus.

Be Strong in Grace

2 You therefore, ^(Y)my son, ^(Z)be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must ^(AA)endure^[e] hardship ^(AB)as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ^4 (AC)No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵ And also ^(AD)if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I say, and ^[f]may the Lord ^(AE)give you understanding in all things.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, ^(AF)of the seed of David, ^(AG)was raised from the dead ^(AH)according to my gospel, ^9 (AI)for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, ^(AJ)even to the point of chains; ^(AK)but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore ^(AL)I endure all things for the sake of the ^[g]elect, ^(AM)that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

¹¹ This is a faithful saying:

Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, ^(AR)charging them before the Lord not to ^[h]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ^15 (AS)Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and ^[i]idle babblings, for they will ^[j]increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their message will spread like cancer. ^(AT)Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸ who have strayed concerning the truth, ^(AU)saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless ^(AV)the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord ^(AW)knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of ^[k]Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ But in a great house there are not only ^(AX)vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, ^[l]sanctified and useful for the Master, ^(AY)prepared for every good work. ^22 (AZ)Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And ^(BA)a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, ^(BB)able to teach, ^(BC)patient, ^25 (BD)in humility correcting those who are in opposition, ^(BE)if God perhaps will grant them repentance, ^(BF)so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and ^(BG)escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

3 But know this, that ^(BH)in the last days ^[m]perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, ^[n]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ^4 (BI)traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ^5 (BJ)having a form of godliness but ^(BK)denying its power. And ^(BL)from such people turn away! ⁶ For ^(BM)of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able ^(BN)to come to the knowledge of the truth. ^8 (BO)Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: ^(BP)men of corrupt minds, ^(BQ)disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, ^(BR)as theirs also was.

The Man of God and the Word of God

^10 (BS)But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me ^(BT)at Antioch, ^(BU)at Iconium, ^(BV)at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And ^(BW)out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and ^(BX)all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ^13 (BY)But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must ^(BZ)continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known ^(CA)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

^16 (CB)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, ^(CC)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for ^[o]instruction in righteousness, ^17 (CD)that the man of God may be complete, ^(CE)thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Preach the Word

4 I ^(CF)charge you ^[p]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, ^(CG)who will judge the living and the dead ^[q]at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. ^(CH)Convince, ^(CI)rebuke, ^(CJ)exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ^3 (CK)For the time will come when they will not endure ^(CL)sound doctrine, ^(CM)but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and ^(CN)be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, ^(CO)endure afflictions, do the work of ^(CP)an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

⁶ For ^(CQ)I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^(CR)my departure is at hand. ^7 (CS)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me ^(CT)the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous ^(CU)Judge, will give to me ^(CV)on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The Abandoned Apostle

⁹ Be diligent to come to me quickly; ¹⁰ for ^(CW)Demas has forsaken me, ^(CX)having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get ^(CY)Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² And ^(CZ)Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. ¹³ Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

^14 (DA)Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. ¹⁵ You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. ^(DB)May it not be charged against them.

The Lord Is Faithful

^17 (DC)But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, ^(DD)so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered ^(DE)out of the mouth of the lion. ^18 (DF)And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. ^(DG)To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Come Before Winter

¹⁹ Greet ^(DH)Prisca and Aquila, and the household of ^(DI)Onesiphorus. ^20 (DJ)Erastus stayed in Corinth, but ^(DK)Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

²¹ Do your utmost to come before winter.

Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.

Farewell

²² The Lord ^[r]Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Greeting

1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and ^(A)the acknowledgment of the truth ^(B)which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life which God, who ^(C)cannot lie, promised before time began, ³ but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

⁴ To ^(D)Titus, a true son in our common faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and ^[a]the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Qualified Elders

⁵ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should ^(E)set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— ⁶ if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, ^(F)having faithful children not accused of ^[b]dissipation or insubordination. ⁷ For a ^[c]bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, ^(G)not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, ⁹ holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

The Elders’ Task

¹⁰ For there are many insubordinate, both idle ^(H)talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, ¹¹ whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, ^(I)for the sake of dishonest gain. ^12 (J)One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This testimony is true. ^(K)Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not giving heed to Jewish fables and ^(L)commandments of men who turn from the truth. ^15 (M)To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to ^(N)know God, but ^(O)in works they deny Him, being ^[d]abominable, disobedient, ^(P)and disqualified for every good work.

Qualities of a Sound Church

2 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: ² that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; ³ the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— ⁴ that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, ^(Q)homemakers, good, ^(R)obedient to their own husbands, ^(S)that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be ^(T)a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, ^(U)incorruptibility,^{[e] 8} sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of ^[f]you.

⁹ Exhort ^(V)bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰ not ^[g]pilfering, but showing all good ^[h]fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Trained by Saving Grace

¹¹ For ^(W)the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ^13 (X)looking for the blessed ^(Y)hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ^14 (Z)who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed ^(AA)and purify for Himself ^(AB)His own special people, zealous for good works.

¹⁵ Speak these things, ^(AC)exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Graces of the Heirs of Grace

3 Remind them ^(AD)to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, ^(AE)to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³ For ^(AF)we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴ But when ^(AG)the kindness and the love of ^(AH)God our Savior toward man appeared, ^5 (AI)not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through ^(AJ)the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ^6 (AK)whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace ^(AL)we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

^8 (AM)This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Avoid Dissension

⁹ But ^(AN)avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. ^10 (AO)Reject a divisive man after the first and second ^[i]admonition, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Final Messages

¹² When I send Artemas to you, or ^(AP)Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Send Zenas the lawyer and ^(AQ)Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. ¹⁴ And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

Farewell

¹⁵ All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

Greeting

¹ Paul, a ^(A)prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, ² to ^[a]the beloved Apphia, ^(B)Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

^4 (C)I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, ^5 (D)hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, ⁶ that the sharing of your faith may become effective ^(E)by the acknowledgment of ^(F)every good thing which is in ^[b]you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we ^[c]have great ^[d]joy and ^[e]consolation in your love, because the ^[f]hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— ¹⁰ I appeal to you for my son ^(G)Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, ¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

¹² I am sending him ^[g]back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own ^[h]heart, ¹³ whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. ¹⁴ But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, ^(H)that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

¹⁵ For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the ^(I)flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged

¹⁷ If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. ¹⁸ But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing with my own ^(J)hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

^21 (K)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. ²² But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for ^(L)I trust that ^(M)through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Farewell

^23 (N)Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ as do ^(O)Mark, ^(P)Aristarchus, ^(Q)Demas, ^(R)Luke, my fellow laborers.

^25 (S)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

God’s Supreme Revelation^(A)

1 God, who ^[a]at various times and ^(B)in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ^[b]worlds; ^3 (C)who being the brightness of His glory and the express ^(D)image of His person, and ^(E)upholding all things by the word of His power, ^(F)when He had ^[c]by Himself ^[d]purged ^[e]our sins, ^(G)sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become so much better than the angels, as ^(H)He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Son Exalted Above Angels

⁵ For to which of the angels did He ever say:

And again:

⁶ But when He again brings ^(K)the firstborn into the world, He says:

⁷ And of the angels He says:

⁸ But to the Son He says:

¹⁰ And:

¹³ But to which of the angels has He ever said:

^14 (U)Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will ^(V)inherit salvation?

Do Not Neglect Salvation

2 Therefore we must give ^[g]the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ² For if the word ^(W)spoken through angels proved steadfast, and ^(X)every transgression and disobedience received a just ^[h]reward, ^3 (Y)how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, ^(Z)which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was ^(AA)confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ^4 (AB)God also bearing witness ^(AC)both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and ^(AD)gifts^[i] of the Holy Spirit, ^(AE)according to His own will?

The Son Made Lower than Angels^(AF)

⁵ For He has not put ^(AG)the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. ⁶ But one testified in a certain place, saying:

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now ^(AJ)we do not yet see all things put under him. ⁹ But we see Jesus, ^(AK)who was made ^[l]a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death ^(AL)crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death ^(AM)for everyone.

Bringing Many Sons to Glory

¹⁰ For it was fitting for Him, ^(AN)for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation ^(AO)perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For ^(AP)both He who ^[m]sanctifies and those who are being sanctified ^(AQ)are all of one, for which reason ^(AR)He is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹² saying:

¹³ And again:

And again:

¹⁴ Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He ^(AV)Himself likewise shared in the same, ^(AW)that through death He might destroy him who had the power of ^(AX)death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and release those who ^(AY)through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁶ For indeed He does not ^[n]give aid to angels, but He does ^[o]give aid to the seed of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore, in all things He had ^(AZ)to be made like His brethren, that He might be ^(BA)a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ^18 (BB)For in that He Himself has suffered, being ^[p]tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

The Son Was Faithful

3 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, ² who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as ^(BC)Moses also was faithful in all His house. ³ For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as ^(BD)He who built the house has more honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but ^(BE)He who built all things is God. ^5 (BF)And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as ^(BG)a servant, ^(BH)for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, ⁶ but Christ as ^(BI)a Son over His own house, ^(BJ)whose house we are ^(BK)if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope ^[q]firm to the end.

Be Faithful^(BL)

⁷ Therefore, as ^(BM)the Holy Spirit says:

¹² Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but ^[r]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, ¹⁵ while it is said:

Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers

^16 (BP)For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? ¹⁷ Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, ^(BQ)whose corpses fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And ^(BR)to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? ¹⁹ So we see that they could not enter in because of ^(BS)unbelief.

The Promise of Rest

4 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, ^(BT)let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, ^[s]not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. ³ For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: ^(BV)“And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this place: ^(BW)“They shall not enter My rest.”

⁶ Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

⁸ For if ^[t]Joshua had ^(BY)given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

The Word Discovers Our Condition

^11 (BZ)Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is ^(CA)living and powerful, and ^(CB)sharper than any ^(CC)two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is ^(CD)a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ^13 (CE)And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(CF)naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Our Compassionate High Priest

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great ^(CG)High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, ^(CH)let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For ^(CI)we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but ^(CJ)was in all points tempted as we are, ^(CK)yet without sin. ^16 (CL)Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Qualifications for High Priesthood

5 For every high priest taken from among men ^(CM)is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He can ^[u]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to ^(CN)weakness. ³ Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for ^(CO)himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. ⁴ And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as ^(CP)Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

^5 (CQ)So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

⁶ As He also says in another place:

⁷ who, in the days of His flesh, when He had ^(CT)offered up prayers and supplications, ^(CU)with vehement cries and tears to Him ^(CV)who was able to save Him from death, and was heard ^(CW)because of His godly fear, ⁸ though He was a Son, yet He learned ^(CX)obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹ And ^(CY)having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, ¹⁰ called by God as High Priest ^(CZ)“according to the order of Melchizedek,” ¹¹ of whom ^(DA)we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become ^(DB)dull of hearing.

Spiritual Immaturity

¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the ^[v]oracles of God; and you have come to need ^(DC)milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is ^(DD)a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are ^[w]of full age, that is, those who by reason of ^[x]use have their senses exercised ^(DE)to discern both good and evil.

The Peril of Not Progressing

6 Therefore, ^(DF)leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to ^[y]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from ^(DG)dead works and of faith toward God, ^2 (DH)of the doctrine of baptisms, ^(DI)of laying on of hands, ^(DJ)of resurrection of the dead, ^(DK)and of eternal judgment. ³ And this ^[z]we will do if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted ^(DL)the heavenly gift, and ^(DM)have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, ^6 [aa]if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, ^(DN)since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

⁷ For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, ^(DO)receives blessing from God; ^8 (DP)but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

A Better Estimate

⁹ But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. ¹⁰ For ^(DQ)God is not unjust to forget ^(DR)your work and ^[ab]labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ^(DS)ministered to the saints, and do minister. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence ^(DT)to the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹² that you do not become ^[ac]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience ^(DU)inherit the promises.

God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, ^(DV)He swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, ^(DW)“Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the ^(DX)promise. ¹⁶ For men indeed swear by the greater, and ^(DY)an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. ¹⁷ Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to ^(DZ)the heirs of promise ^(EA)the ^[ad]immutability of His counsel, ^[ae]confirmed it by an oath, ¹⁸ that by two ^[af]immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to ^(EB)lie, we ^[ag]might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope ^(EC)set before us.

¹⁹ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, ^(ED)and which enters the Presence behind the veil, ^20 (EE)where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, ^(EF)having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The King of Righteousness^(EG)

7 For this ^(EH)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” ³ without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

⁴ Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the ^[ah]spoils. ⁵ And indeed ^(EI)those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; ⁶ but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham ^(EJ)and blessed ^(EK)him who had the promises. ⁷ Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. ⁸ Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, ^(EL)of whom it is witnessed that he lives. ⁹ Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood^(EM)

^11 (EN)Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. ¹³ For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has ^[ai]officiated at the altar.

¹⁴ For it is evident that ^(EO)our Lord arose from ^(EP)Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning ^[aj]priesthood. ¹⁵ And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest ¹⁶ who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. ¹⁷ For ^[ak]He testifies:

¹⁸ For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of ^(ER)its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹ for ^(ES)the law made nothing ^[al]perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of ^(ET)a better hope, through which ^(EU)we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

²⁰ And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹ (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

²² by so much more Jesus has become a ^[an]surety of a ^(EW)better covenant.

²³ Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. ²⁴ But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore He is also ^(EX)able to save ^[ao]to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives ^(EY)to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For such a High Priest was fitting for us, ^(EZ)who is holy, ^[ap]harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, ^(FA)and has become higher than the heavens; ²⁷ who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His ^(FB)own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

The New Priestly Service

8 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, ^(FC)who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ² a Minister of ^(FD)the ^[aq]sanctuary and of ^(FE)the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

³ For ^(FF)every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore ^(FG)it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. ⁴ For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; ⁵ who serve ^(FH)the copy and ^(FI)shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ^(FJ)“See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But now ^(FK)He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a ^(FL)better covenant, which was established on better promises.

A New Covenant^(FM)

⁷ For if that ^(FN)first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. ⁸ Because finding fault with them, He says: ^(FO)“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— ⁹ not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. ¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the ^(FP)Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and ^(FQ)I will be their God, and they shall be My people. ^11 (FR)None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the ^(FS)Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. ¹² For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, ^(FT)and their sins ^[ar]and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

^13 (FU)In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The Earthly Sanctuary^(FV)

9 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and ^(FW)the earthly sanctuary. ² For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the ^[as]sanctuary; ^3 (FX)and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, ⁴ which had the ^(FY)golden censer and ^(FZ)the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were ^(GA)the golden pot that had the manna, ^(GB)Aaron’s rod that budded, and ^(GC)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and ^(GD)above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Limitations of the Earthly Service

⁶ Now when these things had been thus prepared, ^(GE)the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷ But into the second part the high priest went alone ^(GF)once a year, not without blood, which he offered for ^(GG)himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; ⁸ the Holy Spirit indicating this, that ^(GH)the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. ⁹ It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered ^(GI)which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— ¹⁰ concerned only with ^(GJ)foods and drinks, ^(GK)various ^[at]washings, ^(GL)and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

¹¹ But Christ came as High Priest of ^(GM)the good things ^[au]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. ¹² Not ^(GN)with the blood of goats and calves, but ^(GO)with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place ^(GP)once for all, ^(GQ)having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(GR)the blood of bulls and goats and ^(GS)the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, ^[av]sanctifies for the ^[aw]purifying of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without ^[ax]spot to God, ^(GT)cleanse your conscience from ^(GU)dead works ^(GV)to serve the living God? ¹⁵ And for this reason ^(GW)He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that ^(GX)those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The Mediator’s Death Necessary

¹⁶ For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷ For ^(GY)a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. ^18 (GZ)Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. ¹⁹ For when Moses had spoken every ^[ay]precept to all the people according to the law, ^(HA)he took the blood of calves and goats, ^(HB)with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, ^(HC)“This is the ^(HD)blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” ²¹ Then likewise ^(HE)he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. ²² And according to the law almost all things are ^[az]purified with blood, and ^(HF)without shedding of blood there is no ^[ba]remission.

Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice

²³ Therefore it was necessary that ^(HG)the copies of the things in the heavens should be ^[bb]purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For ^(HH)Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are ^[bc]copies of ^(HI)the true, but into heaven itself, now ^(HJ)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ not that He should offer Himself often, as ^(HK)the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— ²⁶ He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ^27 (HL)And as it is appointed for men to die once, ^(HM)but after this the judgment, ²⁸ so ^(HN)Christ was ^(HO)offered once to bear the sins ^(HP)of many. To those who ^(HQ)eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Animal Sacrifices Insufficient

10 For the law, having a ^(HR)shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, ^(HS)can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. ² For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once ^[bd]purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. ³ But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For ^(HT)it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will^(HU)

⁵ Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

⁸ Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), ⁹ then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, ^[be]O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. ^10 (HW)By that will we have been ^[bf]sanctified ^(HX)through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified

¹¹ And every priest stands ^(HY)ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ^12 (HZ)But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down ^(IA)at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting ^(IB)till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being ^[bg]sanctified.

¹⁵ But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

^16 (IC)“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” ¹⁷ then He adds, ^(ID)“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” ¹⁸ Now where there is ^[bh]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Hold Fast Your Confession

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, having ^(IE)boldness^[bi] to enter ^(IF)the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and ^(IG)living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us ^(IH)draw near with a true heart ^(II)in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for ^(IJ)He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ^25 (IK)not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and ^(IL)so much the more as you see ^(IM)the Day approaching.

The Just Live by Faith

²⁶ For ^(IN)if we sin willfully ^(IO)after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there ^(IP)no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and ^(IQ)fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three ^(IR)witnesses. ^29 (IS)Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, ^(IT)counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, ^(IU)and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, ^(IV)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” ^[bj]says the Lord. And again, ^(IW)“The Lord will judge His people.” ^31 (IX)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But ^(IY)recall the former days in which, after you were ^[bk]illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: ³³ partly while you were made ^(IZ)a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while ^(JA)you became companions of those who were so treated; ³⁴ for you had compassion on ^[bl]me ^(JB)in my chains, and ^(JC)joyfully accepted the plundering of your ^[bm]goods, knowing that ^(JD)you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves ^[bn]in heaven. ³⁵ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, ^(JE)which has great reward. ^36 (JF)For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, ^(JG)you may receive the promise:

³⁹ But we are not of those ^(JK)who draw back to ^[br]perdition, but of those who ^(JL)believe to the saving of the soul.

By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the ^[bs]substance of things hoped for, the ^[bt]evidence ^(JM)of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

³ By faith we understand that ^(JN)the ^[bu]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History^(JO)

⁴ By faith ^(JP)Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still ^(JQ)speaks.

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ^(JR)“and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

⁷ By faith ^(JS)Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, ^(JT)prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of ^(JU)the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham^(JV)

⁸ By faith ^(JW)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, ^(JX)dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(JY)the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for ^(JZ)the city which has foundations, ^(KA)whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ By faith ^(KB)Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and ^(KC)she^[bv] bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him ^(KD)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as ^(KE)dead, were born as many as the ^(KF)stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

¹³ These all died in faith, ^(KG)not having received the ^(KH)promises, but ^(KI)having seen them afar off ^[bw]were assured of them, embraced them and ^(KJ)confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things ^(KK)declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind ^(KL)that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed ^(KM)to be called their God, for He has ^(KN)prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs^(KO)

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, ^(KP)when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ^18 [bx]of whom it was said, ^(KQ)“In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ¹⁹ concluding that God ^(KR)was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

²⁰ By faith ^(KS)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, ^(KT)blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

²² By faith ^(KU)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses^(KV)

²³ By faith ^(KW)Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s ^(KX)command.

²⁴ By faith ^(KY)Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the ^[by]passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming ^(KZ)the ^[bz]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures ^[ca]in Egypt; for he looked to the ^(LA)reward.

²⁷ By faith ^(LB)he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith ^(LC)he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By faith ^(LD)they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

³⁰ By faith ^(LE)the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith ^(LF)the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who ^[cb]did not believe, when ^(LG)she had received the spies with peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of ^(LH)Gideon and ^(LI)Barak and ^(LJ)Samson and ^(LK)Jephthah, also of ^(LL)David and ^(LM)Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, ^(LN)stopped the mouths of lions, ^34 (LO)quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ^35 (LP)Women received their dead raised to life again.

Others were ^(LQ)tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and ^(LR)of chains and imprisonment. ^37 (LS)They were stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[cc]were tempted, were slain with the sword. ^(LT)They wandered about ^(LU)in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, ^(LV)in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And all these, ^(LW)having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be ^(LX)made perfect apart from us.

The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, ^(LY)let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and ^(LZ)let us run ^(MA)with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the ^[cd]author and ^[ce]finisher of our faith, ^(MB)who for the joy that was set before Him ^(MC)endured the cross, despising the shame, and ^(MD)has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Discipline of God^(ME)

^3 (MF)For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, ^(MG)lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. ^4 (MH)You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

^7 (MK)If^[cg] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what ^(ML)son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, ^(MM)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to ^(MN)the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, ^(MO)that we may be partakers of His holiness. ¹¹ Now no ^[ch]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields ^(MP)the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Renew Your Spiritual Vitality^(MQ)

¹² Therefore ^(MR)strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

^14 (MS)Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, ^(MT)without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone ^(MU)fall short of the grace of God; lest any ^(MV)root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any ^(MW)fornicator or ^[ci]profane person like Esau, ^(MX)who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was ^(MY)rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

The Glorious Company

¹⁸ For you have not come ^[cj]to ^(MZ)the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and ^[ck]darkness and tempest, ¹⁹ and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it ^(NA)begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. ²⁰ (For they could not endure what was commanded: ^(NB)“And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned ^[cl]or shot with an arrow.” ²¹ And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ^(NC)“I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, ²³ to the ^[cm]general assembly and church of ^(ND)the firstborn ^(NE)who are registered in heaven, to God ^(NF)the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men ^(NG)made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus ^(NH)the Mediator of the new covenant, and to ^(NI)the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things ^(NJ)than that of Abel.

Hear the Heavenly Voice

²⁵ See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For ^(NK)if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ²⁶ whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ^(NL)“Yet once more I ^[cn]shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” ²⁷ Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the ^(NM)removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we ^[co]may ^(NN)serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For ^(NO)our God is a consuming fire.

Concluding Moral Directions

13 Let ^(NP)brotherly love continue. ^2 (NQ)Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing ^(NR)some have unwittingly entertained angels. ^3 (NS)Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

^4 (NT)Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; ^(NU)but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ^(NV)“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we may boldly say:

Concluding Religious Directions

⁷ Remember those who ^[cp]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is ^(NX)the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be carried ^[cq]about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might ^[cr]sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. ¹³ Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing ^(NY)His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. ^15 (NZ)Therefore by Him let us continually offer ^(OA)the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(OB)the fruit of our lips, ^[cs]giving thanks to His name. ^16 (OC)But do not forget to do good and to share, for ^(OD)with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

^17 (OE)Obey those who ^[ct]rule over you, and be submissive, for ^(OF)they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Prayer Requested

^18 (OG)Pray for us; for we are confident that we have ^(OH)a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. ¹⁹ But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell

²⁰ Now may ^(OI)the God of peace ^(OJ)who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, ^(OK)that great Shepherd of the sheep, ^(OL)through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you ^[cu]complete in every good work to do His will, ^(OM)working in ^[cv]you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. ²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

²⁴ Greet all those who ^[cw]rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen.