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God's Word through His Son

In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets, (A)but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end. (B)He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power.

The Greatness of God's Son

The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs.

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God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

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1-3 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!

The Son Is Higher than Angels

3-6 After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Did God ever say to an angel, “You’re my Son; today I celebrate you” or “I’m his Father, he’s my Son”? When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, “All angels must worship him.”

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(A)For God never said to any of his angels,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”

Nor did God say about any angel,
“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son.”

(B)But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world, he said,

“All of God's angels must worship him.”

(C)But about the angels God said,

“God makes his angels winds,
    and his servants flames of fire.”

(D)About the Son, however, God said:
“Your kingdom, O God, will last[a] forever and ever!
    You rule over your[b] people with justice.
You love what is right and hate what is wrong.
That is why God, your God, has chosen you
    and has given you the joy of an honor far greater
    than he gave to your companions.”

10 (E)He also said,
“You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth,
    and with your own hands you made the heavens.
11 They will disappear, but you will remain;
    they will all wear out like clothes.
12 You will fold them up like a coat,
    and they will be changed like clothes.
But you are always the same,
    and your life never ends.”

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:8 Your kingdom, O God, will last; or God is your kingdom.
  2. Hebrews 1:8 your; some manuscripts have his.

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(A)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(B)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(C) into the world,(D) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](E)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](F)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(G)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(H)
    by anointing you with the oil(I) of joy.”[e](J)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(K)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(L)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(M)
    and your years will never end.”[f](N)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27

1-3 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!

The Son Is Higher than Angels

3-6 After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Did God ever say to an angel, “You’re my Son; today I celebrate you” or “I’m his Father, he’s my Son”? When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, “All angels must worship him.”

Regarding angels he says,

The messengers are winds,
    the servants are tongues of fire.

8-9 But he says to the Son,

You’re God, and on the throne for good;
    your rule makes everything right.
You love it when things are right;
    you hate it when things are wrong.
That is why God, your God,
    poured fragrant oil on your head,
Marking you out as king,
    far above your dear companions.

10-12 And again to the Son,

You, Master, started it all, laid earth’s foundations,
    then crafted the stars in the sky.
Earth and sky will wear out, but not you;
    they become threadbare like an old coat;
You’ll fold them up like a worn-out cloak,
    and lay them away on the shelf.
But you’ll stay the same, year after year;
    you’ll never fade, you’ll never wear out.

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