Hebrews 1-10

Christian Standard Bible

The Nature of the Son

1 Long ago God spoke^(A) to our ancestors by the prophets^(B) at different times and in different ways.^{(C) 2} In these last days,^(D) he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things^(E) and made the universe^[a](F) through him. ³ The Son is the radiance^[b] of God’s glory and the exact expression^[c] of his nature,^(G) sustaining all things by his powerful word.^(H) After making purification for sins,^[d] he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.^{[e](I) 4} So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.^(J)

The Son Superior to Angels

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

or again,

⁶ Again, when he^[i] brings his firstborn into the world,^(L) he says,

⁷ And about the angels he says:

⁸ but to^[n] the Son:

¹⁰ And:

¹³ Now to which of the angels has he ever said:

¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?^(U)

Warning against Neglect

2 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.^{(V) 2} For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding^[t](W) and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment,^{(X) 3} how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?^(Y) This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.^{(Z) 4} At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.^(AA)

Jesus and Humanity

⁵ For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. ⁶ But someone somewhere has testified:

For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.^{(AB) 9} But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death^(AC) for everyone—crowned with glory and honor^(AD) because he suffered death.^(AE)

¹⁰ For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer^[w] of their salvation perfect through sufferings.^{(AF) 11} For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.^[x] That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,^{(AG) 12} saying:

¹³ Again, I will trust in him.^[z] And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.^[aa](AI)

¹⁴ Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil^(AJ)— ¹⁵ and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.^{(AK) 16} For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring.^{(AL) 17} Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters^[ab] pertaining to God, to make atonement^[ac](AM) for the sins of the people.^{(AN) 18} For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Our Apostle and High Priest

3 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.^{(AO) 2} He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was in all God’s household. ³ For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house. ⁴ Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God.^{(AP) 5} Moses was faithful as a servant^(AQ) in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future. ⁶ But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast.^[ad](AR)

Warning against Unbelief

⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

¹² Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away^(AT) from the living God. ¹³ But encourage each other daily,^(AU) while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened^(AV) by sin’s deception.^{(AW) 14} For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality^[af] that we had at the start.^{(AX) 15} As it is said:

¹⁶ For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses?^{(AZ) 17} With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?^{(BA) 18} And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? ¹⁹ So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

The Promised Rest

4 Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware^[ah] that none of you be found to have fallen short.^{[ai] 2} For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith.^{[aj](BB) 3} For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what^[ak] he has said,

even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works.^{[am](BD) 5} Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest.^{[an] 6} Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,^{(BE) 7} he again specifies a certain day—today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time:

⁸ For if Joshua^(BG) had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. ¹⁰ For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his.^{(BH) 11} Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

¹² For the word of God is living and effective^(BI) and sharper than any double-edged sword,^(BJ) penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.^{(BK) 13} No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom^(BL) we must give an account.

Our Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.^{(BM) 15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are,^(BN) yet without sin.^{(BO) 16} Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Christ, a High Priest

5 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.^{(BP) 3} Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people.^{(BQ) 4} No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.^{(BR) 5} In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him,

⁶ also says in another place,

⁷ During his earthly life,^[as] he offered prayers and appeals^(BU) with loud cries and tears^(BV) to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.^{(BW) 9} After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, ¹⁰ and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Problem of Immaturity

¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. ¹² Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.^{(BX) 13} Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.^(BY)

Warning against Falling Away

6 Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,^{(BZ) 2} teaching about ritual washings,^[at] laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.^{(CA) 3} And we will do this if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(CB) 5} who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and who have fallen away. This is because,^[au] to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt.^{(CC) 7} For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.^(CD)

⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love^[av] you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them.^{(CE) 11} Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, ¹² so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.^(CF)

Inheriting the Promise

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: ¹⁴ I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.^{[aw](CG) 15} And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. ¹⁶ For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. ¹⁷ Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath,^{(CH) 18} so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.^{(CI) 19} We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.^{(CJ) 20} Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner,^(CK) because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.^(CL)

The Greatness of Melchizedek

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, ² and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. ³ Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God,^(CM) he remains a priest forever.

⁴ Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch^(CN) gave a tenth of the plunder to him. ⁵ The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people^(CO)—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham. ⁶ But one without this^[ax] lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.^{(CP) 7} Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior. ⁸ In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.^{(CQ) 9} And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰ for he was still within his ancestor^[ay] when Melchizedek met him.

A Superior Priesthood

¹¹ Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law^(CR)), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?^{(CS) 12} For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. ¹³ For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. ¹⁴ Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah,^(CT) and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

¹⁵ And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical^[az] descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it has been testified:

¹⁸ So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable^{(CV) 19} (for the law perfected^(CW) nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.^(CX)

²⁰ None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, ²¹ but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him:

²² Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.^(CZ)

²³ Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. ²⁴ But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede^(DA) for them.

²⁶ For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.^{(DB) 27} He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself.^{(DC) 28} For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son,^(DD) who has been perfected^(DE) forever.

A Heavenly Priesthood

8 Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,^{(DF) 2} a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man.^{(DG) 3} For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts^(DH) and sacrifices; therefore, it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he wouldn’t be a priest, since there are those^[bc] offering the gifts prescribed by the law. ⁵ These serve as a copy and shadow^(DI) of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.^{[bd](DJ) 6} But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator^(DK) of a better covenant,^(DL) which has been established on better promises.^(DM)

A Superior Covenant

⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. ⁸ But finding fault with his people,^[be] he says:^[bf]

¹³ By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.^(DQ)

Old Covenant Ministry

9 Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sanctuary. ² For a tabernacle was set up, and in the first room, which is called the holy place, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.^{(DR) 3} Behind the second curtain was a tent called the most holy place.^{(DS) 4} It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.^{(DT) 5} The cherubim of glory were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things in detail right now.^(DU)

⁶ With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry.^{(DV) 7} But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.^{(DW) 8} The Holy Spirit was making it clear that the way into the most holy place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing.^{(DX) 9} This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.^{(DY) 10} They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.^(DZ)

New Covenant Ministry

¹¹ But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come.^[bj] In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation^(EA)), ¹² he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.^{(EB) 13} For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,^{(EC) 14} how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit^(ED) offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our^[bk] consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?^(EE)

¹⁵ Therefore, he is the mediator^(EF) of a new covenant,^[bl](EG) so that those who are called might receive the promise^(EH) of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.^{(EI) 16} Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. ¹⁷ For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in effect while the one who made it is living. ¹⁸ That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. ¹⁹ For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats,^[bm] along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people,^{(EJ) 20} saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.^{[bn](EK) 21} In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood.^{(EL) 22} According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.^(EM)

²³ Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these.^{(EN) 24} For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model^[bo] of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God for us.^{(EO) 25} He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another.^{(EP) 26} Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages,^(EQ) for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself.^{(ER) 27} And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment^(ES)— ²⁸ so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many,^(ET) will appear a second time,^(EU) not to bear sin, but^[bp] to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.^(EV)

The Perfect Sacrifice

10 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things^(EW) to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. ² Otherwise, wouldn’t they have stopped being offered, since the worshipers, purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? ³ But in the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. ⁴ For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

⁵ Therefore, as he was coming into the world, he said:

⁸ After he says above, You did not desire or delight in sacrifices and offerings, whole burnt offerings and sin offerings (which are offered according to the law^(EY)), ⁹ he then says, See, I have come to do your will.^[br] He takes away the first to establish the second. ¹⁰ By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.^(EZ)

¹¹ Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins.^{(FA) 12} But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.^{[bs](FB) 13} He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool.^{(FC) 14} For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified. ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. For after he says:

the Lord says,

¹⁷ and I will never again remember

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

Exhortations to Godliness

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus^(FE)— ²⁰ he has inaugurated^[bu] for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh^(FF))— ²¹ and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,^{(FG) 22} let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.^{(FH) 23} Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.^{(FI) 24} And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other,^(FJ) and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Warning against Deliberate Sin

²⁶ For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,^{(FK) 27} but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.^{(FL) 28} Anyone who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(FM) 29} How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profane^[bv] the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?^{(FN) 30} For we know the one who has said,

and again,

³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.^(FP)

³² Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.^{(FQ) 33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way.^{(FR) 34} For you sympathized with the prisoners^[bz] and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession.^{[ca](FS) 35} So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.^{(FT) 36} For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.^(FU)

³⁹ But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.