The Peril of Not Progressing

6 Therefore, ^(A)leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to ^[a]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from ^(B)dead works and of faith toward God, ^2 (C)of the doctrine of baptisms, ^(D)of laying on of hands, ^(E)of resurrection of the dead, ^(F)and of eternal judgment. ³ And this ^[b]we will do if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted ^(G)the heavenly gift, and ^(H)have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, ^6 [c]if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, ^(I)since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

⁷ For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, ^(J)receives blessing from God; ^8 (K)but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

A Better Estimate

⁹ But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. ¹⁰ For ^(L)God is not unjust to forget ^(M)your work and ^[d]labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ^(N)ministered to the saints, and do minister. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence ^(O)to the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹² that you do not become ^[e]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience ^(P)inherit the promises.

God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, ^(Q)He swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, ^(R)“Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the ^(S)promise. ¹⁶ For men indeed swear by the greater, and ^(T)an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. ¹⁷ Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to ^(U)the heirs of promise ^(V)the ^[f]immutability of His counsel, ^[g]confirmed it by an oath, ¹⁸ that by two ^[h]immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to ^(W)lie, we ^[i]might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope ^(X)set before us.

¹⁹ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, ^(Y)and which enters the Presence behind the veil, ^20 (Z)where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, ^(AA)having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Safety of the Faithful

To the ^[a]Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.