The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the ^(A)certainty of things ^[a](B)hoped for, a ^[b]proof of ^(C)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(D)people of old ^[c](E)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[d](F)world has been created ^(G)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(H)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(I)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(J)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[e]about his ^(K)gifts, and through ^[f]faith, though ^(L)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(M)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(N)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(O)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(P)Noah, being ^(Q)warned by God about ^(R)things not yet seen, ^[g](S)in reverence ^(T)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(U)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(V)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[h]by going out to a place which he was to ^(W)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(X)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(Y)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(Z)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(AA)the city which has ^(AB)foundations, ^(AC)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(AD)Sarah herself received ^[i]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(AE)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(AF)one who was as good as dead ^[j]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(AG)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (AH)All these died in faith, ^(AI)without receiving the promises, but ^(AJ)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(AK)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 ^[k]thinking of that country which they left, ^(AL)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(AM)heavenly one. Therefore ^(AN)God is not ^[l]ashamed to be ^(AO)called their God; for ^(AP)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(AQ)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(AR)received the promises was offering up his ^[m]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(AS)Through Isaac your ^[n]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [o]He considered that ^(AT)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[p]as a ^[q](AU)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(AV)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(AW)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(AX)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(AY)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(AZ)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 ^(BA)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(BB)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(BC)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (BD)considering the ^[r]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(BE)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(BF)left Egypt, not ^(BG)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(BH)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[s](BI)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(BJ)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(BK)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[t]drowned.

³⁰ By faith ^(BL)the walls of Jericho fell down ^[u](BM)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ By faith the prostitute ^(BN)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^[v]in peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(BO)Gideon, ^(BP)Barak, ^(BQ)Samson, ^(BR)Jephthah, of ^(BS)David and ^(BT)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(BU)conquered kingdoms, ^(BV)performed acts of righteousness, ^(BW)obtained promises, ^(BX)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (BY)quenched the power of fire, ^(BZ)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(CA)became mighty in war, ^(CB)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (CC)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[w]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[x]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(CD)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(CE)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[y]they were tempted, they were ^(CF)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(CG)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(CH)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(CI)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[z]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(CJ)gained approval through their faith, ^(CK)did not receive ^[aa]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[ab]provided ^(CL)something better for us, so that ^(CM)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

The Danger of Falling Away

6 Therefore ^(A)leaving ^(B)the ^[a]elementary teaching about the ^[b]Christ, let us press on to ^[c](C)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from ^(D)dead works and of faith toward God, ² of ^(E)instruction about ^[d]washings and ^(F)laying on of hands, and about the ^(G)resurrection of the dead and ^(H)eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do, ^(I)if God permits. ⁴ For it is ^(J)impossible, in the case of those who have once been ^(K)enlightened and have tasted of ^(L)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(M)partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(N)have tasted the good ^(O)word of God and the powers of ^(P)the age to come, ⁶ and then have ^[e]fallen away, to ^(Q)restore them again to repentance, ^[f](R)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 ^[g]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those ^(S)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^[h](T)close to being cursed, and ^[i]it ends up being burned.

Better Things for You

⁹ But, ^(U)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that ^[j]accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. ¹⁰ For ^(V)God is not unjust so as to forget ^(W)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having ^(X)served and by still serving the ^[k]saints. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence ^[l]so as to realize the ^(Y)full assurance of ^(Z)hope until the end, ¹² so that you will not be sluggish, but ^(AA)imitators of those who through ^(AB)faith and endurance ^(AC)inherit the promises.

¹³ For ^(AD)when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He ^(AE)swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “^(AF)indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, ^(AG)having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. ^16 (AH)For people swear an oath by ^[m]one greater than themselves, and with them ^(AI)an oath serving as confirmation is an end of every dispute. ^17 [n]In the same way God, desiring even more to demonstrate to ^(AJ)the heirs of the promise ^[o](AK)the fact that His purpose is unchangeable, ^[p]confirmed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things in which ^(AL)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to hold firmly to ^(AM)the hope set before us. ^19 [q]This ^(AN)hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which ^(AO)enters ^[r]within the veil, ^20 (AP)where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a ^(AQ)high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

7 For this ^(AR)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^(AS)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 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, ^(AT)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^(AU)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(AV)patriarch, ^(AW)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of ^(AX)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment ^[s]in the Law to collect ^[t]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they ^[u]are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one ^(AY)whose genealogy is not traced from them ^(AZ)collected ^[v]a tenth from Abraham and ^[w](BA)blessed the one who ^(BB)had the promises. ⁷ But without any dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, ^(BC)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. ⁹ And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his ^[x]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

^11 (BD)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(BE)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(BF)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 ^(BG)the one about whom ^(BH)these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord ^[y]was ^(BI)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of ^[z](BJ)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(BK)an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment ^(BM)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(BN)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better ^(BO)hope, through which we ^(BP)come near to God. ²⁰ And to the extent that 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 by the same extent Jesus also has become the ^[aa](BT)guarantee of ^(BU)a better covenant.

^23 [ab]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing; ^24 [ac]Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ^(BV)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore He is also able to ^(BW)save ^[ad]forever those who ^(BX)come to God through Him, since He always lives to ^(BY)make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(BZ)high priest, ^(CA)holy, ^(CB)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and ^(CC)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who has no daily need, like those high priests, to ^(CD)offer up sacrifices, ^(CE)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this ^(CF)once for all time when He ^(CG)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(CH)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(CI)a Son, who has been ^(CJ)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a ^(CK)high priest, who has taken His seat at ^(CL)the right hand of the throne of the ^(CM)Majesty in the heavens, ² a ^(CN)minister ^[ae]in the sanctuary and ^[af]in the ^(CO)true ^[ag]tabernacle, which the Lord ^(CP)set up, not man. ³ For every ^(CQ)high priest is appointed ^(CR)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 ^[ah]those who ^(CS)offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve ^(CT)a copy and ^(CU)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses ^[ai]was ^(CV)warned by God when he was about to erect the ^[aj]tabernacle; for, “^(CW)See,” He says, “that you make all things by the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.” ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the ^(CX)mediator of ^(CY)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

⁷ For ^(CZ)if that first covenant had been free of fault, no ^[ak]circumstances would have been sought for a second. ⁸ For in finding fault with ^[al]the people, He says,

^13 [ap]When He said, “^(DJ)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. ^(DK)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ^[aq]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had ^(DL)regulations for divine worship and ^(DM)the earthly sanctuary. ² For ^(DN)a ^[ar]tabernacle was equipped, the ^[as]outer sanctuary, in which were ^(DO)the lampstand, ^(DP)the table, and ^(DQ)the ^[at]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(DR)the second veil there was a ^[au]tabernacle which is called the ^(DS)Most Holy Place, ⁴ having a golden ^[av](DT)altar of incense and ^(DU)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(DV)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(DW)Aaron’s staff which budded, and ^(DX)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the ^(DY)cherubim of glory ^(DZ)overshadowing the ^[aw]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(EA)are continually entering the ^[ax]outer ^[ay]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into ^(EB)the second, only ^(EC)the high priest enters ^(ED)once a year, ^(EE)not without taking blood which he ^(EF)offers for himself and for the ^[az](EG)sins of the people committed in ignorance. ^8 (EH)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(EI)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^[ba]outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(EJ)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(EK)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to ^(EL)food, ^(EM)drink, and various ^(EN)washings, ^(EO)regulations for the ^[bb]body imposed until ^(EP)a time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a ^(EQ)high priest of the ^(ER)good things ^[bc]having come, He entered through ^(ES)the greater and more perfect ^[bd]tabernacle, ^(ET)not made by hands, that is, ^(EU)not of this creation; ¹² and not through ^(EV)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(EW)through His own blood, He ^(EX)entered the holy place ^(EY)once for all time, ^[be]having obtained ^(EZ)eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(FA)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(FB)the ^[bf]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^[bg]cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(FC)the blood of Christ, who through ^[bh](FD)the eternal Spirit ^(FE)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(FF)cleanse your conscience from ^(FG)dead works to serve ^(FH)the living God?

¹⁵ For this reason ^(FI)He is the ^(FJ)mediator of a ^(FK)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ^(FL)called may ^(FM)receive the promise of ^(FN)the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a ^[bi]covenant, there must of necessity ^[bj]be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a ^[bk]covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^[bl]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 ^(FO)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(FP)he took the ^(FQ)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(FR)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(FS)the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “^(FT)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” ²¹ And in the same way he ^(FU)sprinkled both the ^[bm]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And ^(FV)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(FW)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the ^(FX)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(FY)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ ^(FZ)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(GA)the true one, but into ^(GB)heaven itself, now ^(GC)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(GD)the high priest enters ^(GE)the Holy Place ^(GF)year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(GG)the foundation of the world; but now ^(GH)once at ^(GI)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(GJ)revealed to put away sin ^[bn](GK)by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And just as ^(GL)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(GM)comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been ^(GN)offered once to ^(GO)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(GP)a second time for ^(GQ)salvation ^(GR)without reference to sin, to those who ^(GS)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(GT)a shadow of ^(GU)the good things to come and not the ^[bo]form of those things itself, ^[bp]can ^(GV)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(GW)make those who approach perfect. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had ^(GX)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(GY)in ^[bq]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is ^(GZ)impossible for the ^(HA)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(HB)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(HH)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(HI)whole burnt offerings and offerings ^(HJ)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[br]said, “^(HK)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[bs]this will, we have been ^(HL)sanctified through ^(HM)the offering of ^(HN)the body of Jesus Christ ^(HO)once for all time.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(HP)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(HQ)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(HR)for ^[bt]sins ^(HS)for all time, ^(HT)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(HU)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(HV)perfected ^(HW)for all time those who are ^[bu]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(HX)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

He then says,

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

A New and Living Way

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we ^(IA)have confidence to ^(IB)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(IC)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(ID)the veil, that is, through His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(IE)a great priest ^(IF)over the house of God, ²² let’s ^(IG)approach God with a ^[bv]sincere heart in ^(IH)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(II)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(IJ)washed with pure water. ²³ Let’s hold firmly to the ^(IK)confession of our ^(IL)hope without wavering, for ^(IM)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let’s consider how ^(IN)to ^[bw]encourage one another in love and ^(IO)good deeds, ²⁵ not abandoning our own ^(IP)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(IQ)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(IR)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(IS)sinning willfully after receiving ^(IT)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(IU)judgment and ^(IV)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (IW)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (IX)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(IY)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(IZ)the blood of the covenant ^(JA)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(JB)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(JC)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(JD)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(JE)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(JF)living God.

³² But remember ^(JG)the former days, ^[bx]when, after being ^(JH)enlightened, you endured a great ^(JI)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(JJ)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^[by](JK)companions with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(JL)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(JM)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(JN)a better and lasting possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(JO)confidence, which has a great ^(JP)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(JQ)endurance, so that when you have ^(JR)done the will of God, you may ^(JS)receive ^[bz]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[ca]we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the ^(JW)certainty of things ^[cb](JX)hoped for, a ^[cc]proof of ^(JY)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(JZ)people of old ^[cd](KA)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[ce](KB)world has been created ^(KC)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(KD)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(KE)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(KF)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[cf]about his ^(KG)gifts, and through ^[cg]faith, though ^(KH)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(KI)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(KJ)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(KK)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(KL)Noah, being ^(KM)warned by God about ^(KN)things not yet seen, ^[ch](KO)in reverence ^(KP)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(KQ)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(KR)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[ci]by going out to a place which he was to ^(KS)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(KT)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(KU)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(KV)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(KW)the city which has ^(KX)foundations, ^(KY)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(KZ)Sarah herself received ^[cj]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(LA)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(LB)one who was as good as dead ^[ck]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(LC)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (LD)All these died in faith, ^(LE)without receiving the promises, but ^(LF)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(LG)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 ^[cl]thinking of that country which they left, ^(LH)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(LI)heavenly one. Therefore ^(LJ)God is not ^[cm]ashamed to be ^(LK)called their God; for ^(LL)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(LM)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(LN)received the promises was offering up his ^[cn]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(LO)Through Isaac your ^[co]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [cp]He considered that ^(LP)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[cq]as a ^[cr](LQ)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(LR)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(LS)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(LT)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(LU)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(LV)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 ^(LW)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(LX)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(LY)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (LZ)considering the ^[cs]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(MA)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(MB)left Egypt, not ^(MC)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(MD)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[ct](ME)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(MF)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(MG)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[cu]drowned.

³⁰ By faith ^(MH)the walls of Jericho fell down ^[cv](MI)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ By faith the prostitute ^(MJ)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^[cw]in peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(MK)Gideon, ^(ML)Barak, ^(MM)Samson, ^(MN)Jephthah, of ^(MO)David and ^(MP)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(MQ)conquered kingdoms, ^(MR)performed acts of righteousness, ^(MS)obtained promises, ^(MT)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (MU)quenched the power of fire, ^(MV)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(MW)became mighty in war, ^(MX)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (MY)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[cx]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[cy]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(MZ)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(NA)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[cz]they were tempted, they were ^(NB)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(NC)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(ND)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(NE)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[da]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(NF)gained approval through their faith, ^(NG)did not receive ^[db]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[dc]provided ^(NH)something better for us, so that ^(NI)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Jesus, the Example

12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s ^(NJ)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s ^(NK)run with ^(NL)endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking only at Jesus, the ^[dd](NM)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(NN)endured the cross, ^(NO)despising the shame, and has ^(NP)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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

A Father’s Discipline

^4 (NS)You have not yet resisted ^[df](NT)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; ^(NY)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, ^(NZ)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had ^[dg]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(OA)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^(OB)the Father of ^[dh]spirits, and ^(OC)live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(OD)so that we may share His holiness. ^11 (OE)For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the ^(OF)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

¹² Therefore, ^[di](OG)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, ¹³ and ^(OH)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather ^(OI)be healed.

^14 (OJ)Pursue peace with all people, and the ^(OK)holiness without which no one will ^(OL)see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(OM)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(ON)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^(OO)defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no ^(OP)sexually immoral or ^(OQ)godless person like Esau, ^(OR)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterward, ^(OS)when he wanted 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 (OT)For you have not come to ^(OU)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(OV)blast of a trumpet and the ^(OW)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^(OX)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not ^[dj]cope with the command, “^(OY)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^(OZ)I am terrified and trembling.” ²² But ^(PA)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(PB)the city of ^(PC)the living God, ^(PD)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(PE)myriads of ^[dk]angels, ²³ to the general assembly and ^(PF)church of the firstborn who ^(PG)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(PH)the Judge of all, and to the ^(PI)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(PJ)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(PK)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(PL)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

^25 (PM)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(PN)speaking. For ^(PO)if those did not escape when they ^(PP)refused him who ^(PQ)warned them on earth, ^[dl]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(PR)warns us from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(PS)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(PT)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^(PU)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 ^(PV)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s ^[dm]show gratitude, by which we may ^(PW)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(PX)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

13 Let ^(PY)love of the brothers and sisters continue. ² Do not neglect ^(PZ)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have ^(QA)entertained angels without knowing it. ^3 (QB)Remember ^(QC)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. ^4 (QD)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; ^(QE)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. ⁵ Make sure that your character is ^(QF)free from the love of money, ^(QG)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “^(QH)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” ⁶ so that we confidently say,

⁷ Remember ^(QJ)those who led you, who spoke ^(QK)the word of God to you; and considering the ^[dn]result of their way of life, ^(QL)imitate their faith. ^8 (QM)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. ^9 (QN)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to ^(QO)be strengthened by grace, not by ^(QP)foods, ^(QQ)through which those who ^[do]were so occupied were not benefited. ¹⁰ We have an altar ^(QR)from which those ^(QS)who serve the ^[dp]tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For ^(QT)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 suffered ^(QU)outside the gate, ^(QV)that He might sanctify the people ^(QW)through His own blood. ¹³ So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, ^(QX)bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here ^(QY)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking ^(QZ)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

^15 (RA)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a ^(RB)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(RC)the fruit of lips praising His name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and ^(RD)sharing, for ^(RE)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

^17 (RF)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for ^(RG)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not ^[dq]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

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

Benediction

²⁰ Now may ^(RK)the God of peace, who ^(RL)brought up from the dead the ^(RM)great Shepherd of the sheep ^[dr]through ^(RN)the blood of the ^(RO)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, ^21 (RP)equip you in every good thing to do His will, ^(RQ)working in us that ^(RR)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(RS)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² But ^(RT)I urge you, ^(RU)brothers and sisters, ^[ds]listen patiently to ^[dt]this ^(RV)word of exhortation, for ^(RW)I have written to you briefly. ²³ Know that ^(RX)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. ²⁴ Greet ^(RY)all of your leaders and all the ^[du](RZ)saints. Those from ^(SA)Italy greet you.

^25 (SB)Grace be with you all.