²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,^(A) and they follow me.^{(B) 28} I give them eternal life,^(C) and they shall never perish;^(D) no one will snatch them out of my hand.^{(E) 29} My Father, who has given them to me,^(F) is greater than all^[a];^(G) no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”^(H)

⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,^(A) who have tasted the heavenly gift,^(B) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 5} who have tasted the goodness^(D) of the word of God^(E) and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[a] away, to be brought back to repentance.^(F) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God^(G) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.^(H) In the end it will be burned.

⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends,^(I) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^{(J) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(K) for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate^(L) those who through faith and patience^(M) inherit what has been promised.^(N)