Hebrews 1-13

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.

A New and Living Way

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, since we ^(PE)have confidence to ^(PF)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(PG)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(PH)the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(PI)a great priest ^(PJ)over the house of God, ²² let us ^(PK)draw near with a ^[de]sincere heart in ^(PL)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(PM)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(PN)washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the ^(PO)confession of our ^(PP)hope without wavering, for ^(PQ)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let us consider how ^(PR)to stimulate one another to love and ^(PS)good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own ^(PT)assembling together, as is the habit of some, but ^(PU)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(PV)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(PW)sinning willfully after receiving ^(PX)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(PY)judgment and ^(PZ)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (QA)Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (QB)How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve ^(QC)who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(QD)the blood of the covenant ^(QE)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(QF)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(QG)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(QH)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(QI)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(QJ)living God.

³² But remember ^(QK)the former days, ^[df]when, after being ^(QL)enlightened, you endured a great ^(QM)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(QN)made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming ^(QO)sharers with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(QP)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(QQ)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(QR)a better possession and a lasting one. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(QS)confidence, which has a great ^(QT)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(QU)endurance, so that when you have ^(QV)done the will of God, you may ^(QW)receive ^[dg]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[dh]we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the ^[di]preserving of the soul.

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the ^[dj](RA)assurance of things ^[dk](RB)hoped for, the ^[dl]conviction of ^(RC)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(RD)men of old ^[dm](RE)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[dn](RF)worlds were prepared ^(RG)by the word of God, so that what is seen ^(RH)was not made out of things which are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(RI)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he ^(RJ)obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying ^[do]about his ^(RK)gifts, and through ^[dp]faith, though ^(RL)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(RM)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(RN)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who ^(RO)comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(RP)Noah, being ^(RQ)warned by God about ^(RR)things not yet seen, ^[dq](RS)in reverence ^(RT)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(RU)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(RV)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[dr]by going out to a place which he was to ^(RW)receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as an alien in ^(RX)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(RY)dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(RZ)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(SA)the city which has ^(SB)foundations, ^(SC)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(SD)Sarah herself received ^[ds]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(SE)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore there was born even of one man, and ^(SF)him as good as dead ^[dt]at that, as many descendants ^(SG)as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

^13 (SH)All these died in faith, ^(SI)without receiving the promises, but ^(SJ)having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and ^(SK)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵ And indeed if they had been ^[du]thinking of that country from which they went out, ^(SL)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(SM)heavenly one. Therefore ^(SN)God is not ^[dv]ashamed to be ^(SO)called their God; for ^(SP)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(SQ)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had ^(SR)received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(SS)In Isaac your ^[dw]descendants shall be called.” ^19 [dx]He considered that ^(ST)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[dy]as a ^(SU)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(SV)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(SW)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(SX)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(SY)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(SZ)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the ^(TA)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(TB)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(TC)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ^26 (TD)considering the reproach of ^[dz]Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(TE)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(TF)left Egypt, not ^(TG)fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as ^(TH)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[ea](TI)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(TJ)he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(TK)passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[eb]drowned.

³⁰ By faith ^(TL)the walls of Jericho fell down ^(TM)after they had been encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith ^(TN)Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^[ec]in peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(TO)Gideon, ^(TP)Barak, ^(TQ)Samson, ^(TR)Jephthah, of ^(TS)David and ^(TT)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(TU)conquered kingdoms, ^(TV)performed acts of righteousness, ^(TW)obtained promises, ^(TX)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (TY)quenched the power of fire, ^(TZ)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(UA)became mighty in war, ^(UB)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (UC)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[ed]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[ee]experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also ^(UD)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(UE)stoned, they were ^(UF)sawn in two, ^[ef]they were tempted, they were ^(UG)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(UH)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(UI)ill-treated ³⁸ (men of whom the world was not worthy), ^(UJ)wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes ^[eg]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^[eh](UK)gained approval through their faith, ^(UL)did not receive ^[ei]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[ej]provided ^(UM)something better for us, so that ^(UN)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Jesus, the Example

12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also ^(UO)lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us ^(UP)run with ^(UQ)endurance the race that is set before us, ^2 [ek]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the ^[el](UR)author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(US)endured the cross, ^(UT)despising the shame, and has ^(UU)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For ^(UV)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^[em](UW)and lose heart.

A Father’s Discipline

^4 (UX)You have not yet resisted ^[en](UY)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; ⁵ and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; ^(VD)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, ^(VE)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had ^[eo]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(VF)respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to ^(VG)the Father of ^[ep]spirits, and ^(VH)live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(VI)so that we may share His holiness. ¹¹ All discipline ^(VJ)for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the ^(VK)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

¹² Therefore, ^[eq](VL)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, ¹³ and ^(VM)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather ^(VN)be healed.

^14 (VO)Pursue peace with all men, and the ^(VP)sanctification without which no one will ^(VQ)see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(VR)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(VS)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be ^(VT)defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no ^(VU)immoral or ^(VV)godless person like Esau, ^(VW)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterwards, ^(VX)when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Contrast of Sinai and Zion

^18 (VY)For you have not come to ^(VZ)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(WA)blast of a trumpet and the ^(WB)sound of words which sound was such that those who heard ^(WC)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not bear the command, “^(WD)If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^(WE)I am full of fear and trembling.” ²² But ^(WF)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(WG)the city of ^(WH)the living God, ^(WI)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(WJ)myriads of ^[er]angels, ²³ to the general assembly and ^(WK)church of the firstborn who ^(WL)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(WM)the Judge of all, and to the ^(WN)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(WO)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(WP)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(WQ)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

^25 (WR)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(WS)speaking. For ^(WT)if those did not escape when they ^(WU)refused him who ^(WV)warned them on earth, ^[es]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(WW)warns from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(WX)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(WY)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^(WZ)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we receive a ^(XA)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us ^[et]show gratitude, by which we may ^(XB)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(XC)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

13 Let ^(XD)love of the brethren continue. ² Do not neglect to ^(XE)show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have ^(XF)entertained angels without knowing it. ^3 (XG)Remember ^(XH)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. ^4 (XI)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; ^(XJ)for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. ⁵ Make sure that your character is ^(XK)free from the love of money, ^(XL)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “^(XM)I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” ⁶ so that we confidently say,

⁷ Remember ^(XO)those who led you, who spoke ^(XP)the word of God to you; and considering the ^[eu]result of their conduct, ^(XQ)imitate their faith. ^8 (XR)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ^9 (XS)Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to ^(XT)be strengthened by grace, not by ^(XU)foods, ^(XV)through which those who ^[ev]were so occupied were not benefited. ¹⁰ We have an altar ^(XW)from which those ^(XX)who serve the ^[ew]tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For ^(XY)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, ^(XZ)that He might sanctify the people ^(YA)through His own blood, suffered ^(YB)outside the gate. ¹³ So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, ^(YC)bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here ^(YD)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking ^(YE)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

^15 (YF)Through Him then, let us continually offer up a ^(YG)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(YH)the fruit of lips that ^[ex]give thanks to His name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and ^(YI)sharing, for ^(YJ)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

^17 (YK)Obey your leaders and submit to them, for ^(YL)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. ^[ey]Let them do this with joy and not ^[ez]with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

^18 (YM)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a ^(YN)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. ¹⁹ And I urge you all the more to do this, ^(YO)so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction

²⁰ Now ^(YP)the God of peace, who ^(YQ)brought up from the dead the ^(YR)great Shepherd of the sheep ^[fa]through ^(YS)the blood of the ^(YT)eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, ^21 (YU)equip you in every good thing to do His will, ^(YV)working in us that ^(YW)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(YX)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² But ^(YY)I urge you, ^(YZ)brethren, ^[fb]bear with ^[fc]this ^(ZA)word of exhortation, for ^(ZB)I have written to you briefly. ^23 [fd]Take notice that ^(ZC)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. ²⁴ Greet ^(ZD)all of your leaders and all the ^[fe](ZE)saints. Those from ^(ZF)Italy greet you.

^25 (ZG)Grace be with you all.