⁴ For it is ^(A)impossible, in the case of those who have once been ^(B)enlightened and have tasted of ^(C)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(D)partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(E)have tasted the good ^(F)word of God and the powers of ^(G)the age to come, ⁶ and then have ^[a]fallen away, to ^(H)restore them again to repentance, ^[b](I)since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. ⁷ For ground that drinks the rain which often ^[c]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those ^(J)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^[d](K)close to being cursed, and ^[e]it ends up being burned.

Better Things for You

⁹ But, ^(L)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that ^[f]accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. ¹⁰ For ^(M)God is not unjust so as to forget ^(N)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having ^(O)served and by still serving the ^[g]saints. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence ^[h]so as to realize the ^(P)full assurance of ^(Q)hope until the end, ¹² so that you will not be sluggish, but ^(R)imitators of those who through ^(S)faith and endurance ^(T)inherit the promises.