⁴ For as touching those who were once enlightened ^[a]and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^[b]tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; ^[c]seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. ⁷ For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: ⁸ but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.