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So we must listen very carefully to the truths we have heard, or we may drift away from them. For since the messages from angels have always proved true and people have always been punished for disobeying them, what makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation announced by the Lord Jesus himself and passed on to us by those who heard him speak?

God always has shown us that these messages are true by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving certain special abilities from the Holy Spirit to those who believe; yes, God has assigned such gifts to each of us.

And the future world we are talking about will not be controlled by angels. No, for in the book of Psalms David says to God, “What is mere man that you are so concerned about him? And who is this Son of Man you honor so highly? For though you made him lower than the angels for a little while, now you have crowned him with glory and honor. And you have put him in complete charge of everything there is. Nothing is left out.”

We have not yet seen all of this take place, but we do see Jesus—who for a while was a little lower than the angels—crowned now by God with glory and honor because he suffered death for us. Yes, because of God’s great kindness, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world.

10 And it was right and proper that God, who made everything for his own glory, should allow Jesus to suffer, for in doing this he was bringing vast multitudes of God’s people to heaven; for his suffering made Jesus a perfect Leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 We who have been made holy by Jesus, now have the same Father he has. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers. 12 For he says in the book of Psalms, “I will talk to my brothers about God my Father, and together we will sing his praises.” 13 At another time he said, “I will put my trust in God along with my brothers.” And at still another time, “See, here am I and the children God gave me.”

14 Since we, God’s children, are human beings—made of flesh and blood—he became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. 15 Only in that way could he deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread.

16 We all know he did not come as an angel but as a human being—yes, a Jew. 17 And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us.

Warning to Pay Attention

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.(A) For since the message spoken(B) through angels(C) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,(D) how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?(E) This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,(F) was confirmed to us by those who heard him.(G) God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,(H) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit(I) distributed according to his will.(J)

Jesus Made Fully Human

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone(K) has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?(L)
You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
    and put everything under their feet.”[b][c](M)

In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor(N) because he suffered death,(O) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.(P)

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists,(Q) should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.(R) 11 Both the one who makes people holy(S) and those who are made holy(T) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g](U) 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h](V)

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”[i](W)

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j](X)

14 Since the children have flesh and blood,(Y) he too shared in their humanity(Z) so that by his death he might break the power(AA) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil(AB) 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear(AC) of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.(AD) 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k](AE) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful(AF) and faithful high priest(AG) in service to God,(AH) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.(AI) 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
  2. Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
  3. Hebrews 2:8 Or You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ and put everything under his feet.”
  4. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  5. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  6. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  7. Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
  8. Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
  9. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
  10. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
  11. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since (A)the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and (B)every transgression or disobedience received a just (C)retribution, (D)how shall we escape if we (E)neglect such a great salvation? It was (F)declared at first by the Lord, and it was (G)attested to us (H)by those who heard, (I)while God also bore witness (J)by signs and wonders and various miracles and by (K)gifts of the Holy Spirit (L)distributed according to his will.

The Founder of Salvation

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world (M)to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere,

(N)“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
    or the son of man, that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
    you have crowned him with glory and honor,[a]
    putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, (O)we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him (P)who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, (Q)crowned with glory and honor (R)because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might (S)taste death (T)for everyone.

10 For it (U)was fitting that he, (V)for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons (W)to glory, should make the (X)founder of their salvation (Y)perfect through suffering. 11 For (Z)he who sanctifies and (AA)those who are sanctified (AB)all have one source.[b] That is why he is not ashamed to call them (AC)brothers,[c] 12 saying,

(AD)“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the (AE)congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again,

(AF)“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

(AG)“Behold, I and the children (AH)God has given me.”

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise (AI)partook of the same things, that (AJ)through death he might (AK)destroy (AL)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who (AM)through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he (AN)helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had (AO)to be made like his brothers in every respect, (AP)so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest (AQ)in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered (AR)when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:7 Some manuscripts insert and set him over the works of your hands
  2. Hebrews 2:11 Greek all are of one
  3. Hebrews 2:11 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 12

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

¶ Se poutèt sa, nou dwe kenbe verite yo te moutre nou yo pi fèm toujou pou nou pa pèdi chemen nou.

Pawòl zanj Bondye yo te anonse a te gen tout valè li. Se sa ki fè moun ki pa t' okipe pawòl la ak moun ki te dezobeyi l' yo te resevwa chatiman yo te merite a.

Konsa tou, si nou menm nou meprize yon gwo delivrans tankou sa a, nanpwen chape pou nou. Premye moun ki te fè konnen delivrans sa a se Seyè a menm. Apre sa, moun ki te tande l' yo, se yo ki te fè nou konnen jan delivrans sa a gen anpil valè.

Anmenmtan an tou, Bondye te fè anpil siy, anpil bèl bagay ak anpil mirak pou fè wè sa moun sa yo t'ap di a se te vre. Li separe kado Sentespri a bay moun jan l' vle.

¶ Bondye pa t' bay zanj li yo pouvwa sou anyen nan tan n'ap pale a, tan ki gen pou vini an.

Okontrè, jan yo ekri sa yon kote nan Liv la: Bondye o, kisa moun ye pou w'ap chonje yo konsa? Kisa moun ki fèt pou mouri yo ye menm pou w'ap pran ka yo konsa?

Ou fè yo yon ti jan pi ba pase zanj yo pou yon ti tan. Tankou yon kouwòn sou tèt yo, ou ba yo tout lwanj ak tout respè.

Ou mete tout bagay anba pye yo. Liv la di Bondye mete tout bagay anba pye lèzòm, sa vle di pa gen anyen ki pa sou zòd yo. Men, nou wè koulye a moun pa gen pouvwa sou tout bagay.

Okontre, lè nou gade Jezi, nou wè pou yon tan Bondye te mete l' pi ba pase zanj yo, pou l' te ka mouri pou tout moun, tankou yon favè Bondye t'ap fè yo. Koulye a, poutèt lanmò li te soufri a, Bondye ba li tout lwanj ak tout respè ki pou yon wa.

10 ¶ Se Bondye ki fè tout bagay, se Bondye k'ap kenbe tout bagay. Se tou nòmal pou l' te vle fè anpil nan pitit li yo resevwa pa yo nan bèl pouvwa li a. Se poutèt sa, li fè Jezi vin bon nèt avèk tout soufrans sa yo. Paske se Jezi ki chèf k'ap mennen yo nan chemen delivrans lan.

11 Ni moun ki netwaye lèzòm anba peche yo, ki vle di Jezi, ni lèzòm li netwaye yo, yo tout gen yon sèl papa. Se poutèt sa, Jezi pa wont rele yo frè,

12 jan l' te di sa nan Liv la: Bondye, m'a nonmen non ou bay frè m' yo. M'a fè lwanj ou lè yo tout reyini ansanm.

13 Li di ankò: M'a mete tout konfyans mwen nan Bondye. Apre sa, li di ankò: Men mwen ansanm ak tout pitit Bondye te ban mwen yo.

14 ¶ Moun li rele pitit li yo, se moun ki gen yon kò ki fèt ak chè ak san. Jezi vin tankou yo tou, menm chè ak yo, menm san ak yo. Konsa, lè li mouri, li detwi Satan ki te gen pouvwa pou touye moun.

15 Li delivre tout moun ki pase tout lavi yo esklav paske yo te pè lanmò.

16 Sa se bagay ki klè: li pa t' vin pote sekou bay zanj Bondye yo. Jan sa ekri nan Liv la: Li vin pote sekou bay tout moun ras Abraram yo.

17 Se konsa, li te fèt pou l' te vin tankou frè l' yo sou tout pwen, pou l' te ka sèvi yo tankou yon granprèt ki gen anpil pitye pou yo, k'ap fè sèvis li byen devan Bondye, pou ofrann li fè a ka fè Bondye padonnen peche tout pèp la.

18 Koulye a, li ka pote sekou bay tout moun ki anba tantasyon, paske li menm tou li te pase anba tantasyon, li menm tou li te soufri.