Pay Attention

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to [a]what we have heard, so that (A)we do not drift away from it. For if the word (B)spoken through (C)angels proved [b]unalterable, and (D)every violation and act of disobedience received a just [c](E)punishment, (F)how will we escape if we neglect so great a (G)salvation? [d]After it was at first (H)spoken through the Lord, it was (I)confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by (J)signs and wonders, and by (K)various [e]miracles and by [f](L)gifts of the Holy Spirit (M)according to His own will.

Earth Subject to Man

For He did not subject to angels [g](N)the world to come, about which we are speaking. But someone has testified (O)somewhere, saying,

(P)What is man, that You think of him?
Or a son of man, that You are concerned about him?
(Q)You have made him [h]for a little while lower than angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor[i];
(R)You have put everything in subjection under his feet.”

For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now (S)we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

Jesus Briefly Humbled

But we do see Him who was (T)made [j]for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, (U)because of His suffering death (V)crowned with glory and honor, so that (W)by the grace of God He might (X)taste death (Y)for everyone.

10 For (Z)it was fitting for Him, (AA)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to (AB)perfect the [k](AC)originator of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who (AD)sanctifies and those who (AE)are [l]sanctified are all (AF)from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them (AG)brothers and sisters, 12 saying,

(AH)I will proclaim Your name to My brothers,
In the midst of the assembly I will sing Your praise.”

13 And again,

(AI)I will put My trust in Him.”

And again,

(AJ)Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

14 Therefore, since the children share in [m](AK)flesh and blood, (AL)He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that (AM)through death He might destroy (AN)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through (AO)fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For clearly He does not [n]give help to angels, but He gives help to the [o]descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He [p]had (AP)to be made like His brothers so that He might (AQ)become a merciful and faithful (AR)high priest in (AS)things pertaining to God, to (AT)make [q]propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was [r](AU)tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are [s]tempted.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:1 Lit the things that have been heard
  2. Hebrews 2:2 Or steadfast
  3. Hebrews 2:2 Lit retribution
  4. Hebrews 2:3 Lit Which was
  5. Hebrews 2:4 Or works of power
  6. Hebrews 2:4 Lit distributions
  7. Hebrews 2:5 Lit the inhabited earth
  8. Hebrews 2:7 Or ...him a little lower than...
  9. Hebrews 2:7 One early ms continues, and have appointed him over the works of Your hands
  10. Hebrews 2:9 Or a little lower
  11. Hebrews 2:10 Or leader
  12. Hebrews 2:11 Or being sanctified
  13. Hebrews 2:14 Lit blood and flesh
  14. Hebrews 2:16 Lit take hold of angels, but He takes hold of
  15. Hebrews 2:16 Lit seed
  16. Hebrews 2:17 Lit was obligated to be
  17. Hebrews 2:17 I.e., reconciliation with God by atoning for the sins
  18. Hebrews 2:18 Or tested
  19. Hebrews 2:18 Or tested

A Warning against Drifting Away

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Jesus, the Man

And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. For in one place the Scriptures say,

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    or a son of man[a] that you should care for him?
Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.[b]
You gave them authority over all things.”[c]

Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.[d] 12 For he said to God,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
    I will praise you among your assembled people.”[e]

13 He also said,

“I will put my trust in him,”
    that is, “I and the children God has given me.”[f]

14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[g] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters,[h] so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:6 Or the Son of Man.
  2. 2:7 Some manuscripts add You gave them charge of everything you made.
  3. 2:6-8 Ps 8:4-6 (Greek version).
  4. 2:11 Greek brothers; also in 2:12.
  5. 2:12 Ps 22:22.
  6. 2:13 Isa 8:17-18.
  7. 2:14 Or has.
  8. 2:17 Greek like the brothers.