²⁴ “But if a righteous person turns^(A) from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness^(B) they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.^(C)

⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,^(A) who have tasted the heavenly gift,^(B) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 5} who have tasted the goodness^(D) of the word of God^(E) and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[a] away, to be brought back to repentance.^(F) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God^(G) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.^(H) In the end it will be burned.

⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends,^(I) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^{(J) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(K) for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(L) those who through faith and patience^(M) inherit what has been promised.^(N)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,^{(O) 14} saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^{[b](P) 15} And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.^(Q)

¹⁶ People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.^{(R) 17} Because God wanted to make the unchanging^(S) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,^(T) he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,^(U) we who have fled to take hold of the hope^(V) set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,^{(W) 20} where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.^(X) He has become a high priest^(Y) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.^(Z)

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning^(A) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,^(B) no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire^(C) that will consume the enemies of God. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(D) 29} How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God^(E) underfoot,^(F) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant^(G) that sanctified them,^(H) and who has insulted the Spirit^(I) of grace?^{(J) 30} For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a](K) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”^{[b](L) 31} It is a dreadful thing^(M) to fall into the hands^(N) of the living God.^(O)

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,^(P) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.^{(Q) 33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;^(R) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.^{(S) 34} You suffered along with those in prison^(T) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.^{(U) 35} So do not throw away your confidence;^(V) it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere^(W) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.^{(X) 37} For,

³⁸ And,

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.^(A)