Warning Against Falling Away^(A)

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths^(B) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!^{(C) 13} Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,^(D) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature,^(E) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.^(F)

6 Therefore let us move beyond^(G) the elementary teachings^(H) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^[a](I) and of faith in God, ² instruction about cleansing rites,^[b](J) the laying on of hands,^(K) the resurrection of the dead,^(L) and eternal judgment. ³ And God permitting,^(M) we will do so.

⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,^(N) who have tasted the heavenly gift,^(O) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(P) 5} who have tasted the goodness^(Q) of the word of God^(R) and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[c] away, to be brought back to repentance.^(S) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God^(T) 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.^(U) In the end it will be burned.

⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends,^(V) 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.^{(W) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(X) for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(Y) those who through faith and patience^(Z) inherit what has been promised.^(AA)