Hebrews 10:26-39

New Testament for Everyone

Warning of judgment

²⁶ For if we sin deliberately and knowingly after having received the knowledge of the truth, there is no further sacrifice for sin. ²⁷ Instead, there is a fearful prospect of judgment, and a hungry fire which will consume the opponents. ²⁸ If someone sets aside the law of Moses, they are to be “put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses,” with no pity. ²⁹ How much worse punishment, do you think, will be appropriate for people who trample the son of God underfoot, and profane the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and scorn the spirit of grace? ³⁰ We know the one who said, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will pay everyone back,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It’s a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Suffering in hope

³² But remember the earlier times! When you were first enlightened, you went through great struggles and suffering. ³³ Sometimes you were exposed to public reproach and physical abuse. Sometimes you stood alongside people who were being treated in that way. ³⁴ You even shared the sufferings of those who were imprisoned. When people looted your property, you actually welcomed it joyfully, because you knew that you had a better possession, a lasting one.

³⁵ So don’t throw away your confidence. It carries a great reward. ³⁶ What you need is patience, you see; then, when you’ve done what God wants, you will receive the promise.

³⁹ We are not among the hesitators, who are destroyed! We are people of faith, and our lives will be kept safe.