Pay Attention

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to [a]what we have heard, so that (A)we do not drift away from it. For if the word (B)spoken through (C)angels proved [b]unalterable, and (D)every violation and act of disobedience received a just [c](E)punishment, (F)how will we escape if we neglect so great a (G)salvation? [d]After it was at first (H)spoken through the Lord, it was (I)confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by (J)signs and wonders, and by (K)various [e]miracles and by [f](L)gifts of the Holy Spirit (M)according to His own will.

Earth Subject to Man

For He did not subject to angels [g](N)the world to come, about which we are speaking. But someone has testified (O)somewhere, saying,

(P)What is man, that You think of him?
Or a son of man, that You are concerned about him?
(Q)You have made him [h]for a little while lower than angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor[i];
(R)You have put everything in subjection under his feet.”

For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now (S)we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

Jesus Briefly Humbled

But we do see Him who was (T)made [j]for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, (U)because of His suffering death (V)crowned with glory and honor, so that (W)by the grace of God He might (X)taste death (Y)for everyone.

10 For (Z)it was fitting for Him, (AA)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to (AB)perfect the [k](AC)originator of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who (AD)sanctifies and those who (AE)are [l]sanctified are all (AF)from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them (AG)brothers and sisters, 12 saying,

(AH)I will proclaim Your name to My brothers,
In the midst of the assembly I will sing Your praise.”

13 And again,

(AI)I will put My trust in Him.”

And again,

(AJ)Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

14 Therefore, since the children share in [m](AK)flesh and blood, (AL)He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that (AM)through death He might destroy (AN)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through (AO)fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For clearly He does not [n]give help to angels, but He gives help to the [o]descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He [p]had (AP)to be made like His brothers so that He might (AQ)become a merciful and faithful (AR)high priest in (AS)things pertaining to God, to (AT)make [q]propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was [r](AU)tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are [s]tempted.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:1 Lit the things that have been heard
  2. Hebrews 2:2 Or steadfast
  3. Hebrews 2:2 Lit retribution
  4. Hebrews 2:3 Lit Which was
  5. Hebrews 2:4 Or works of power
  6. Hebrews 2:4 Lit distributions
  7. Hebrews 2:5 Lit the inhabited earth
  8. Hebrews 2:7 Or ...him a little lower than...
  9. Hebrews 2:7 One early ms continues, and have appointed him over the works of Your hands
  10. Hebrews 2:9 Or a little lower
  11. Hebrews 2:10 Or leader
  12. Hebrews 2:11 Or being sanctified
  13. Hebrews 2:14 Lit blood and flesh
  14. Hebrews 2:16 Lit take hold of angels, but He takes hold of
  15. Hebrews 2:16 Lit seed
  16. Hebrews 2:17 Lit was obligated to be
  17. Hebrews 2:17 I.e., reconciliation with God by atoning for the sins
  18. Hebrews 2:18 Or tested
  19. Hebrews 2:18 Or tested

Warning Not to Drift Away

For this reason it is necessary for us to pay especially close attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved to be firm, and every violation and disobedience received a just payback, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was first spoken through the Lord and confirmed to us by those who heard. At the same time, God was testifying by signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Ruach ha-Kodesh, according to His will.

Yeshua Greater than Angels

For it is not to angels that God has subjected the olam ha-ba—about which we speak. But somewhere someone has testified, saying,

“What is man, that You are mindful of him,
    or the son of man, that You care for him?
For a little while, You made him
lower than the angels.
    You crowned him with glory and honor.
You put all things in subjection
underneath his feet.”[a]

For when He put all things in subjection to him, He left nothing outside his control. But for now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we see One who was made for a little while lower than the angels—namely, Yeshua. He is now crowned with glory and honor, because of the death He suffered so that, by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting for God—for whom and through whom all things exist—in leading many sons to glory, to perfect through sufferings the initiator of their salvation. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those being sanctified are all from one—so He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, [b] 12 saying,

“I will proclaim Your name
to My brothers and sisters.
In the midst of the congregation
I will sing praise to You.”[c]

13 And again,

“I will put My trust in Him.”[d]

And again,

“Here am I and the children God has given Me.”[e]

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared the same humanity—so that through death He might break the power of the one who had the power of death (that is, the devil) 15 and free those who by fear of death were in bondage all their lives. 16 For surely He is not concerned about angels, but about the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in all things, so He might become a merciful and faithful Kohen Gadol in matters relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. [f] 18 Because He Himself suffered when put to the test, He is able to help those being tested.