Hebrews 1:1-10:18

New American Standard Bible 1995

God’s Final Word in His Son

1 God, after He ^(A)spoke long ago to the fathers in ^(B)the prophets in many portions and ^(C)in many ways, ^2 [a](D)in these last days ^(E)has spoken to us ^[b]in ^(F)His Son, whom He appointed ^(G)heir of all things, ^(H)through whom also He made the ^[c](I)world. ^3 [d]And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact ^(J)representation of His nature, and ^[e](K)upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made ^(L)purification of sins, He ^(M)sat down at the right hand of the ^(N)Majesty on high, ⁴ having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent ^(O)name than they.

⁵ For to which of the angels did He ever say,

And again,

⁶ And ^[f]when He again ^(R)brings the firstborn into ^[g](S)the world, He says,

⁷ And of the angels He says,

⁸ But of the Son He says,

¹⁰ And,

¹³ But to which of the angels has He ever said,

¹⁴ Are they not all ^(AG)ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will ^(AH)inherit ^(AI)salvation?

Give Heed

2 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to ^[i]what we have heard, so that ^(AJ)we do not drift away from it. ² For if the word ^(AK)spoken through ^(AL)angels proved ^[j]unalterable, and ^(AM)every transgression and disobedience received a just ^[k](AN)penalty, ^3 (AO)how will we escape if we neglect so great a ^(AP)salvation? ^[l]After it was at the first ^(AQ)spoken through the Lord, it was ^(AR)confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by ^(AS)signs and wonders and by ^(AT)various ^[m]miracles and by ^[n](AU)gifts of the Holy Spirit ^(AV)according to His own will.

Earth Subject to Man

⁵ For He did not subject to angels ^[o](AW)the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. ⁶ But one has testified ^(AX)somewhere, saying,

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

Jesus Briefly Humbled

⁹ But we do see Him who was ^(BC)made ^[r]for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, ^(BD)because of the suffering of death ^(BE)crowned with glory and honor, so that ^(BF)by the grace of God He might ^(BG)taste death ^(BH)for everyone.

¹⁰ For ^(BI)it was fitting for Him, ^(BJ)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to ^(BK)perfect the ^[s](BL)author of their salvation through sufferings. ¹¹ For both He who ^(BM)sanctifies and those who ^(BN)are ^[t]sanctified are all ^(BO)from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them ^(BP)brethren, ¹² saying,

¹³ And again,

And again,

¹⁴ Therefore, since the children share in ^[u](BT)flesh and blood, ^(BU)He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that ^(BV)through death He might render powerless ^(BW)him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and might free those who through ^(BX)fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. ¹⁶ For assuredly He does not ^[v]give help to angels, but He gives help to the ^[w]descendant of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore, He ^[x]had ^(BY)to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might ^(BZ)become a merciful and faithful ^(CA)high priest in ^(CB)things pertaining to God, to ^(CC)make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For since He Himself was ^(CD)tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Jesus Our High Priest

3 Therefore, ^(CE)holy brethren, partakers of a ^(CF)heavenly calling, consider Jesus, ^(CG)the Apostle and ^(CH)High Priest of our ^(CI)confession; ^2 [y]He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as ^(CJ)Moses also was in all His house. ^3 (CK)For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. ⁵ Now ^(CL)Moses was faithful in all His house as ^(CM)a servant, ^(CN)for a testimony of those things ^(CO)which were to be spoken later; ⁶ but Christ was faithful as ^(CP)a Son over His house—^(CQ)whose house we are, ^(CR)if we hold fast our ^(CS)confidence and the boast of our ^(CT)hope firm until the end.

⁷ Therefore, just as ^(CU)the Holy Spirit says,

The Peril of Unbelief

^12 (DB)Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart ^[aa]that falls away from ^(DC)the living God. ¹³ But ^(DD)encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the ^(DE)deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ, ^(DF)if we hold fast the beginning of our ^(DG)assurance firm until the end, ¹⁵ while it is said,

¹⁶ For who ^(DI)provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, ^(DJ)did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? ¹⁷ And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, ^(DK)whose bodies fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And to whom did He swear ^(DL)that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were ^(DM)disobedient? ¹⁹ So we see that they were not able to enter because of ^(DN)unbelief.

The Believer’s Rest

4 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have ^(DO)come short of it. ² For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but ^(DP)the word ^[ac]they heard did not profit them, because ^[ad]it was not united by faith in those who heard. ³ For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,

although His works were finished ^(DR)from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has said ^(DS)somewhere concerning the seventh day: “^(DT)And God ^(DU)rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this passage, “^(DV)They shall not enter My rest.” ⁶ Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of ^(DW)disobedience, ⁷ He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying ^[ae]through David after so long a time just ^(DX)as has been said before,

⁸ For ^(DZ)if ^[af]Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. ⁹ So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For the one who has entered His rest has himself also ^(EA)rested from his works, as ^(EB)God did from His. ¹¹ Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same ^(EC)example of ^(ED)disobedience. ¹² For ^(EE)the word of God is ^(EF)living and ^(EG)active and sharper than any two-edged ^(EH)sword, and piercing as far as the division of ^(EI)soul and ^(EJ)spirit, of both joints and marrow, and ^(EK)able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And ^(EL)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(EM)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great ^(EN)high priest who has ^(EO)passed through the heavens, Jesus ^(EP)the Son of God, let us hold fast our ^(EQ)confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have ^(ER)a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been ^(ES)tempted in all things as we are, yet ^(ET)without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us ^(EU)draw near with ^(EV)confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Perfect High Priest

5 For every high priest ^(EW)taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in ^(EX)things pertaining to God, in order to ^(EY)offer both gifts and sacrifices ^(EZ)for sins; ^2 [ag](FA)he can deal gently with the ^(FB)ignorant and ^(FC)misguided, since he himself also is ^[ah](FD)beset with weakness; ³ and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices ^(FE)for sins, ^(FF)as for the people, so also for himself. ⁴ And ^(FG)no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even ^(FH)as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ ^(FI)did not glorify Himself so as to become a ^(FJ)high priest, but He who ^(FK)said to Him,

⁶ just as He says also in another passage,

^7 [ai]In the days of His flesh, ^[aj](FO)He offered up both prayers and supplications with ^(FP)loud crying and tears to the One ^(FQ)able to save Him ^[ak]from death, and He ^[al]was heard because of His ^(FR)piety. ⁸ Although He was ^(FS)a Son, He learned ^(FT)obedience from the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been made ^(FU)perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, ¹⁰ being designated by God as ^(FV)a high priest according to ^(FW)the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ Concerning ^[am]him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though ^[an]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you ^(FX)the ^[ao](FY)elementary principles of the ^(FZ)oracles of God, and you have come to need ^(GA)milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an ^(GB)infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(GC)the mature, who because of practice have their senses ^(GD)trained to ^(GE)discern good and evil.

The Peril of Falling Away

6 Therefore ^(GF)leaving ^(GG)the ^[ap]elementary teaching about the ^[aq]Christ, let us press on to ^[ar](GH)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from ^(GI)dead works and of faith toward God, ² of ^(GJ)instruction about washings and ^(GK)laying on of hands, and the ^(GL)resurrection of the dead and ^(GM)eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do, ^(GN)if God permits. ⁴ For in the case of those who have once been ^(GO)enlightened and have tasted of ^(GP)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(GQ)partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(GR)have tasted the good ^(GS)word of God and the powers of ^(GT)the age to come, ⁶ and then have fallen away, it is ^(GU)impossible to renew them again to repentance, ^[as](GV)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 ^[at]falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those ^(GW)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^(GX)close ^[au]to being cursed, and ^[av]it ends up being burned.

Better Things for You

⁹ But, ^(GY)beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that ^[aw]accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. ¹⁰ For ^(GZ)God is not unjust so as to forget ^(HA)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ^(HB)ministered and in still ministering to the ^[ax]saints. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence ^[ay]so as to realize the ^(HC)full assurance of ^(HD)hope until the end, ¹² so that you will not be sluggish, but ^(HE)imitators of those who through ^(HF)faith and patience ^(HG)inherit the promises.

¹³ For ^(HH)when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He ^(HI)swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “^(HJ)I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, ^(HK)having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. ^16 (HL)For men swear by ^[az]one greater than themselves, and with them ^(HM)an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. ^17 [ba]In the same way God, desiring even more to show to ^(HN)the heirs of the promise ^(HO)the unchangeableness of His purpose, ^[bb]interposed with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things in which ^(HP)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have ^[bc]taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of ^(HQ)the hope set before us. ^19 [bd]This ^(HR)hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which ^(HS)enters ^[be]within the veil, ^20 (HT)where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a ^(HU)high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood Like Christ’s

7 For this ^(HV)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^(HW)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. ³ Without father, without mother, ^(HX)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^(HY)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(HZ)patriarch, ^(IA)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of ^(IB)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment ^[bf]in the Law to collect ^[bg]a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these ^[bh]are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one ^(IC)whose genealogy is not traced from them ^(ID)collected ^[bi]a tenth from Abraham and ^[bj](IE)blessed the one who ^(IF)had the promises. ⁷ But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, ^(IG)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. ⁹ And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

^11 (IH)Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(II)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(IJ)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. ¹³ For ^(IK)the one concerning whom ^(IL)these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord ^[bk]was ^(IM)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become such not on the basis of a law of ^[bl](IN)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(IO)an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment ^(IQ)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(IR)the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better ^(IS)hope, through which we ^(IT)draw near to God. ²⁰ And inasmuch as it was not without an oath ²¹ (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

²² so much the more also Jesus has become the ^(IX)guarantee of ^(IY)a better covenant.

^23 [bm]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, ²⁴ but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ^(IZ)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore He is able also to ^(JA)save ^[bn]forever those who ^(JB)draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to ^(JC)make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(JD)high priest, ^(JE)holy, ^(JF)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and ^(JG)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who does not need daily, like those high priests, to ^(JH)offer up sacrifices, ^(JI)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did ^(JJ)once for all when He ^(JK)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(JL)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(JM)a Son, ^(JN)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a ^(JO)high priest, who has taken His seat at ^(JP)the right hand of the throne of the ^(JQ)Majesty in the heavens, ² a ^(JR)minister ^[bo]in the sanctuary and ^[bp]in the ^(JS)true ^[bq]tabernacle, which the Lord ^(JT)pitched, not man. ³ For every ^(JU)high priest is appointed ^(JV)to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. ⁴ Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who ^(JW)offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve ^(JX)a copy and ^(JY)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses ^[br]was ^(JZ)warned by God when he was about to erect the ^[bs]tabernacle; for, “^(KA)See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the ^(KB)mediator of ^(KC)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

⁷ For ^(KD)if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. ⁸ For finding fault with them, He says,

^13 [bw]When He said, “^(KN)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. ^(KO)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ^[bx]ready to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had ^(KP)regulations of divine worship and ^(KQ)the earthly sanctuary. ² For there was ^(KR)a ^[by]tabernacle prepared, the ^[bz]outer one, in which were ^(KS)the lampstand and ^(KT)the table and ^(KU)the ^[ca]sacred bread; this is called the holy place. ³ Behind ^(KV)the second veil there was a ^[cb]tabernacle which is called the ^(KW)Holy of Holies, ⁴ having a golden ^[cc](KX)altar of incense and ^(KY)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(KZ)a golden jar holding the manna, and ^(LA)Aaron’s rod which budded, and ^(LB)the tables of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the ^(LC)cherubim of glory ^(LD)overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(LE)are continually entering the ^[cd]outer ^[ce]tabernacle performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into ^(LF)the second, only ^(LG)the high priest enters ^(LH)once a year, ^(LI)not without taking blood, which he ^(LJ)offers for himself and for the ^[cf](LK)sins of the people committed in ignorance. ^8 (LL)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(LM)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^[cg]outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(LN)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(LO)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to ^(LP)food and ^(LQ)drink and various ^(LR)washings, ^(LS)regulations for the ^[ch]body imposed until ^(LT)a time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a ^(LU)high priest of the ^(LV)good things ^[ci]to come, He entered through ^(LW)the greater and more perfect ^[cj]tabernacle, ^(LX)not made with hands, that is to say, ^(LY)not of this creation; ¹² and not through ^(LZ)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(MA)through His own blood, He ^(MB)entered the holy place ^(MC)once for all, ^[ck]having obtained ^(MD)eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(ME)the blood of goats and bulls and ^(MF)the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the ^[cl]cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(MG)the blood of Christ, who through ^[cm](MH)the eternal Spirit ^(MI)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(MJ)cleanse ^[cn]your conscience from ^(MK)dead works to serve ^(ML)the living God?

¹⁵ For this reason ^(MM)He is the ^(MN)mediator of a ^(MO)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ^(MP)called may ^(MQ)receive the promise of ^(MR)the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where a ^[co]covenant is, there must of necessity ^[cp]be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a ^[cq]covenant is valid only when ^[cr]men are dead, ^[cs]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. ¹⁸ Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment had been ^(MS)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(MT)he took the ^(MU)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(MV)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(MW)the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “^(MX)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” ²¹ And in the same way he ^(MY)sprinkled both the ^[ct]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And according to the ^[cu]Law, one may ^(MZ)almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and ^(NA)without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the ^(NB)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but ^(NC)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ ^(ND)did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of ^(NE)the true one, but into ^(NF)heaven itself, now ^(NG)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(NH)the high priest enters ^(NI)the holy place ^(NJ)year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(NK)the foundation of the world; but now ^(NL)once at ^(NM)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(NN)manifested to put away sin ^[cv](NO)by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And inasmuch as ^(NP)it is ^[cw]appointed for men to die once and after this ^(NQ)comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been ^(NR)offered once to ^(NS)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(NT)a second time for ^(NU)salvation ^(NV)without reference to sin, to those who ^(NW)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(NX)a shadow of ^(NY)the good things to come and not the very ^[cx]form of things, ^[cy]can ^(NZ)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, ^(OA)make perfect those who draw near. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had ^(OB)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(OC)in ^[cz]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. ⁴ For it is ^(OD)impossible for the ^(OE)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(OF)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(OL)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(OM)whole burnt offerings and sacrifices ^(ON)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[da]said, “^(OO)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[db]this will we have been ^(OP)sanctified through ^(OQ)the offering of ^(OR)the body of Jesus Christ ^(OS)once for all.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(OT)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(OU)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(OV)for ^[dc]sins ^(OW)for all time, ^(OX)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(OY)until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(OZ)perfected ^(PA)for all time those who are ^[dd]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(PB)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

He then says,

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.