Add parallel Print Page Options

Warning against Abandoning the Faith

11 There is much we have to say about this matter, but it is hard to explain to you, because you are so slow to understand. 12 (A)There has been enough time for you to be teachers—yet you still need someone to teach you the first lessons of God's message. Instead of eating solid food, you still have to drink milk. 13 Anyone who has to drink milk is still a child, without any experience in the matter of right and wrong. 14 Solid food, on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil.

Let us go forward, then, to mature teaching and leave behind us the first lessons of the Christian message. We should not lay again the foundation of turning away from useless works and believing in God; of the teaching about baptisms[a] and the laying on of hands; of the resurrection of the dead and the eternal judgment. Let us go forward! And this is what we will do, if God allows.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 6:2 baptisms; or purification ceremonies.

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)

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, instruction about cleansing rites,[b](J) the laying on of hands,(K) the resurrection of the dead,(L) and eternal judgment. And God permitting,(M) we will do so.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 6:1 Or from useless rituals
  2. Hebrews 6:2 Or about baptisms