14 Since the children have flesh and blood,(A) he too shared in their humanity(B) so that by his death he might break the power(C) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil(D) 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear(E) of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.(F) 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[a](G) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful(H) and faithful high priest(I) in service to God,(J) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.(K) 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he also shared the same things in the same way. He did this to destroy the one who holds the power over death—the devil—by dying. 15 He set free those who were held in slavery their entire lives by their fear of death. 16 Of course, he isn’t trying to help angels, but rather he’s helping Abraham’s descendants. 17 Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way. This was so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to wipe away the sins of the people. 18 He’s able to help those who are being tempted, since he himself experienced suffering when he was tempted.

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