⁴ For it is impossible, in the case of those ^(A)who have once been enlightened, who have tasted ^(B)the heavenly gift, and ^(C)have shared in the Holy Spirit,

²⁶ For ^(A)if we go on sinning deliberately ^(B)after receiving the knowledge of the truth, ^(C)there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ^27 (D)but a fearful expectation of judgment, and ^(E)a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. ^28 (F)Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy ^(G)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one ^(H)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned ^(I)the blood of the covenant ^(J)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(K)outraged the Spirit of grace?

²⁰ For if, ^(A)after they have escaped the defilements of the world ^(B)through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, ^(C)the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For ^(D)it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from ^(E)the holy commandment delivered to them. ²² What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The ^(F)dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, ^(A)but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

⁶ If anyone does not abide in me ^(A)he is thrown away like a branch and withers; ^(B)and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

^31 (A)Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but ^(B)the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² And whoever speaks a word ^(C)against the Son of Man ^(D)will be forgiven, but ^(E)whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in ^(F)this age or in the age to come.

I Never Knew You

^21 (A)“Not everyone who ^(B)says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will ^(C)enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who ^(D)does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ^22 (E)On that day ^(F)many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not ^(G)prophesy in your name, and cast out demons ^(H)in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(A)fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ^(B)“root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; ¹⁶ that no one is ^(C)sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that ^(D)afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Return of an Unclean Spirit

^24 (A)“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through ^(B)waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And ^(C)the last state of that person is worse than the first.”