¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral,^(A) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.^{(B) 17} Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,^(C) he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(D) 19} to a trumpet blast^(E) or to such a voice speaking words^(F) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^{(G) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[a](H) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[b](I)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion,^(J) to the city^(K) of the living God,^(L) the heavenly Jerusalem.^(M) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(N) whose names are written in heaven.^(O) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(P) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{(Q) 24} to Jesus the mediator^(R) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(S) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(T)

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse^(U) him who speaks.^(V) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned^(W) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?^{(X) 26} At that time his voice shook the earth,^(Y) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^{[c](Z) 27} The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken^(AA)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(AB) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^{(AC) 29} for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[d](AD)

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.^{(AE) 2} Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,^(AF) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.^{(AG) 3} Continue to remember those in prison^(AH) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

⁴ Marriage should be honored by all,^(AI) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.^{(AJ) 5} Keep your lives free from the love of money^(AK) and be content with what you have,^(AL) because God has said,

⁶ So we say with confidence,

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(AO) who spoke the word of God^(AP) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(AQ) their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(AR)

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.^(AS) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened^(AT) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,^(AU) which is of no benefit to those who do so.^{(AV) 10} We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle^(AW) have no right to eat.^(AX)

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,^(AY) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.^{(AZ) 12} And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate^(BA) to make the people holy^(BB) through his own blood.^{(BC) 13} Let us, then, go to him^(BD) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.^{(BE) 14} For here we do not have an enduring city,^(BF) but we are looking for the city that is to come.^(BG)