Greeting to the Called

¹ Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and ^(A)brother of James,

To those who are ^(B)called, ^[a]sanctified by God the Father, and ^(C)preserved in Jesus Christ:

² Mercy, ^(D)peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Contend for the Faith

³ Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you ^(E)concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting ^(F)you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. ⁴ For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord ^[b]God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Old and New Apostates

⁵ But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that ^(G)the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶ And the angels who did not keep their ^[c]proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; ⁷ as ^(H)Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the ^[d]vengeance of eternal fire.

^8 (I)Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and ^(J)speak evil of ^[e]dignitaries. ⁹ Yet Michael the archangel, in ^[f]contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ^(K)“The Lord rebuke you!” ^10 (L)But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. ¹¹ Woe to them! For they have gone in the way ^(M)of Cain, ^(N)have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished ^(O)in the rebellion of Korah.

Apostates Depraved and Doomed

¹² These are ^[g]spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried ^[h]about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; ^13 (P)raging waves of the sea, ^(Q)foaming up their own shame; wandering stars ^(R)for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

¹⁴ Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, ¹⁵ to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the ^(S)harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Apostates Predicted

¹⁶ These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they ^(T)mouth great swelling words, ^(U)flattering people to gain advantage. ^17 (V)But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: ¹⁸ how they told you that ^(W)there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. ¹⁹ These are ^[i]sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Maintain Your Life with God

²⁰ But you, beloved, ^(X)building yourselves up on your most holy faith, ^(Y)praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, ^(Z)looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

²² And on some have compassion, ^[j]making a distinction; ²³ but ^(AA)others save ^[k]with fear, ^(AB)pulling them out of the ^[l]fire, hating even ^(AC)the garment defiled by the flesh.

Glory to God

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Redemption in Christ

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as ^(B)He chose us in Him ^(C)before the foundation of the world, that we should ^(D)be holy and without blame before Him in love, ^5 (E)having predestined us to ^(F)adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, ^(G)according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, ^(H)by which He ^[a]made us accepted in ^(I)the Beloved.

^7 (J)In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to ^(K)the riches of His grace ⁸ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and ^[b]prudence, ^9 (L)having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure ^(M)which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰ that in the dispensation of ^(N)the fullness of the times ^(O)He might gather together in one ^(P)all things in Christ, ^[c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. ^11 (Q)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to ^(R)the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, ^12 (S)that we ^(T)who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard ^(U)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, ^(V)you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ^14 (W)who^[d] is the ^[e]guarantee of our inheritance ^(X)until the redemption of ^(Y)the purchased possession, ^(Z)to the praise of His glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

¹⁵ Therefore I also, ^(AA)after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ^16 (AB)do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that ^(AC)the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, ^(AD)may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ^18 (AE)the eyes of your ^[f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is ^(AF)the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, ^(AG)according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when ^(AH)He raised Him from the dead and ^(AI)seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ^21 (AJ)far above all ^(AK)principality^[g] and ^[h]power and ^[i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

²² And ^(AL)He put all things under His feet, and gave Him ^(AM)to be head over all things to the church, ^23 (AN)which is His body, ^(AO)the fullness of Him ^(AP)who fills all in all.

By Grace Through Faith

2 And ^(AQ)you He made alive, ^(AR)who were dead in trespasses and sins, ^2 (AS)in which you once walked according to the ^[j]course of this world, according to ^(AT)the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in ^(AU)the sons of disobedience, ^3 (AV)among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in ^(AW)the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and ^(AX)were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

⁴ But God, ^(AY)who is rich in mercy, because of His ^(AZ)great love with which He loved us, ^5 (BA)even when we were dead in trespasses, ^(BB)made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together ^(BC)in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in ^(BD)His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ^8 (BE)For by grace you have been saved ^(BF)through faith, and that not of yourselves; ^(BG)it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of ^(BH)works, lest anyone should ^(BI)boast. ¹⁰ For we are ^(BJ)His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Brought Near by His Blood

¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called ^(BK)the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— ¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Christ Our Peace

¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one ^(BL)new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might ^(BM)reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby ^(BN)putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For ^(BO)through Him we both have access ^(BP)by one Spirit to the Father.

Christ Our Cornerstone

¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been ^(BQ)built ^(BR)on the foundation of the ^(BS)apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being ^(BT)the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into ^(BU)a holy temple in the Lord, ^22 (BV)in whom you also are being built together for a ^(BW)dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The Mystery Revealed

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— ² if indeed you have heard of the ^[k]dispensation of the grace of God ^(BX)which was given to me for you, ^3 (BY)how that by revelation ^(BZ)He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, ⁴ by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), ⁵ which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: ⁶ that the Gentiles ^(CA)should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, ^7 (CB)of which I became a minister ^(CC)according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by ^(CD)the effective working of His power.

Purpose of the Mystery

⁸ To me, ^(CE)who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles ^(CF)the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make all see what is the ^[l]fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who ^(CG)created all things ^[m]through Jesus Christ; ^10 (CH)to the intent that now ^(CI)the ^[n]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church ^(CJ)to the ^[o]principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ^11 (CK)according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access ^(CL)with confidence through faith in Him. ^13 (CM)Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, ^(CN)which is your glory.

Appreciation of the Mystery

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the ^(CO)Father ^[p]of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, ^(CP)according to the riches of His glory, ^(CQ)to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in ^(CR)the inner man, ^17 (CS)that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, ^(CT)being rooted and grounded in love, ^18 (CU)may be able to comprehend with all the saints ^(CV)what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled ^(CW)with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now ^(CX)to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly ^(CY)above all that we ask or think, ^(CZ)according to the power that works in us, ^21 (DA)to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Walk in Unity

4 I, therefore, the prisoner ^[q]of the Lord, ^[r]beseech you to ^(DB)walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit ^(DC)in the bond of peace. ^4 (DD)There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ^5 (DE)one Lord, ^(DF)one faith, ^(DG)one baptism; ^6 (DH)one God and Father of all, who is above all, and ^(DI)through all, and in ^[s]you all.

Spiritual Gifts

⁷ But ^(DJ)to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says:

^9 (DL)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also ^[t]first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One ^(DM)who ascended far above all the heavens, ^(DN)that He might fill all things.)

¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, ^(DO)for the ^[u]edifying of ^(DP)the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith ^(DQ)and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to ^(DR)a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be ^(DS)children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of ^(DT)deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the ^(DU)head—Christ— ^16 (DV)from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The New Man

¹⁷ This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should ^(DW)no longer walk as ^[v]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the ^(DX)blindness of their heart; ^19 (DY)who, being past feeling, ^(DZ)have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you ^(EA)put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and ^(EB)be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you ^(EC)put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Do Not Grieve the Spirit

²⁵ Therefore, putting away lying, ^(ED)“Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for ^(EE)we are members of one another. ^26 (EF)“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ^27 (EG)nor give ^[w]place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather ^(EH)let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something ^(EI)to give him who has need. ^29 (EJ)Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but ^(EK)what is good for necessary ^[x]edification, ^(EL)that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And ^(EM)do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ^31 (EN)Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, ^[y]clamor, and ^(EO)evil speaking be put away from you, ^(EP)with all malice. ³² And ^(EQ)be kind to one another, tenderhearted, ^(ER)forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Walk in Love

5 Therefore^(ES) be imitators of God as dear ^(ET)children. ² And ^(EU)walk in love, ^(EV)as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God ^(EW)for a sweet-smelling aroma.

³ But fornication and all ^(EX)uncleanness or ^(EY)covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ^4 (EZ)neither filthiness, nor ^(FA)foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, ^(FB)which are not fitting, but rather ^(FC)giving of thanks. ⁵ For ^[z]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any ^(FD)inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be ^(FE)partakers with them.

Walk in Light

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are ^(FF)light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for ^(FG)the fruit of the ^[aa]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ^10 (FH)finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have ^(FI)no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather ^[ab]expose them. ^12 (FJ)For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But ^(FK)all things that are ^[ac]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. ¹⁴ Therefore He says:

Walk in Wisdom

^15 (FM)See then that you walk ^[ad]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ^16 (FN)redeeming the time, ^(FO)because the days are evil.

^17 (FP)Therefore do not be unwise, but ^(FQ)understand ^(FR)what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And ^(FS)do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another ^(FT)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making ^(FU)melody in your heart to the Lord, ^20 (FV)giving thanks always for all things to God the Father ^(FW)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^21 (FX)submitting to one another in the fear of ^[ae]God.

Marriage—Christ and the Church^(FY)

²² Wives, ^(FZ)submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For ^(GA)the husband is head of the wife, as also ^(GB)Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands ^(GC)in everything.

^25 (GD)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and ^(GE)gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might ^[af]sanctify and cleanse her ^(GF)with the washing of water ^(GG)by the word, ^27 (GH)that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, ^(GI)not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰ For ^(GJ)we are members of His body, ^[ag]of His flesh and of His bones. ^31 (GK)“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the ^(GL)two shall become one flesh.” ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless ^(GM)let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she ^(GN)respects her husband.

Children and Parents^(GO)

6 Children, ^(GP)obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ^2 (GQ)“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

⁴ And ^(GR)you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but ^(GS)bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Bondservants and Masters

^5 (GT)Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, ^(GU)with fear and trembling, ^(GV)in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ^6 (GW)not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ^8 (GX)knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

⁹ And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that ^[ah]your own ^(GY)Master also is in heaven, and ^(GZ)there is no partiality with Him.

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ^11 (HA)Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the ^[ai]wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against ^(HB)principalities, against powers, against ^(HC)the rulers of ^[aj]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ^13 (HD)Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand ^(HE)in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, ^(HF)having girded your waist with truth, ^(HG)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ^15 (HH)and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking ^(HI)the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And ^(HJ)take the helmet of salvation, and ^(HK)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ^18 (HL)praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, ^(HM)being watchful to this end with all perseverance and ^(HN)supplication for all the saints— ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, ^(HO)that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which ^(HP)I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

A Gracious Greeting

²¹ But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, ^(HQ)Tychicus, a beloved brother and ^(HR)faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; ^22 (HS)whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may ^(HT)comfort your hearts.

²³ Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

God’s Supreme Revelation^(A)

1 God, who ^[a]at various times and ^(B)in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ^[b]worlds; ^3 (C)who being the brightness of His glory and the express ^(D)image of His person, and ^(E)upholding all things by the word of His power, ^(F)when He had ^[c]by Himself ^[d]purged ^[e]our sins, ^(G)sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become so much better than the angels, as ^(H)He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Son Exalted Above Angels

⁵ For to which of the angels did He ever say:

And again:

⁶ But when He again brings ^(K)the firstborn into the world, He says:

⁷ And of the angels He says:

⁸ But to the Son He says:

¹⁰ And:

¹³ But to which of the angels has He ever said:

^14 (U)Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will ^(V)inherit salvation?

Do Not Neglect Salvation

2 Therefore we must give ^[g]the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ² For if the word ^(W)spoken through angels proved steadfast, and ^(X)every transgression and disobedience received a just ^[h]reward, ^3 (Y)how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, ^(Z)which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was ^(AA)confirmed to us by those who heard Him, ^4 (AB)God also bearing witness ^(AC)both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and ^(AD)gifts^[i] of the Holy Spirit, ^(AE)according to His own will?

The Son Made Lower than Angels^(AF)

⁵ For He has not put ^(AG)the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. ⁶ But one testified in a certain place, saying:

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now ^(AJ)we do not yet see all things put under him. ⁹ But we see Jesus, ^(AK)who was made ^[l]a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death ^(AL)crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death ^(AM)for everyone.

Bringing Many Sons to Glory

¹⁰ For it was fitting for Him, ^(AN)for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation ^(AO)perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For ^(AP)both He who ^[m]sanctifies and those who are being sanctified ^(AQ)are all of one, for which reason ^(AR)He is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹² saying:

¹³ And again:

And again:

¹⁴ Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He ^(AV)Himself likewise shared in the same, ^(AW)that through death He might destroy him who had the power of ^(AX)death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and release those who ^(AY)through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ¹⁶ For indeed He does not ^[n]give aid to angels, but He does ^[o]give aid to the seed of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore, in all things He had ^(AZ)to be made like His brethren, that He might be ^(BA)a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ^18 (BB)For in that He Himself has suffered, being ^[p]tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

The Son Was Faithful

3 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, ² who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as ^(BC)Moses also was faithful in all His house. ³ For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as ^(BD)He who built the house has more honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but ^(BE)He who built all things is God. ^5 (BF)And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as ^(BG)a servant, ^(BH)for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, ⁶ but Christ as ^(BI)a Son over His own house, ^(BJ)whose house we are ^(BK)if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope ^[q]firm to the end.

Be Faithful^(BL)

⁷ Therefore, as ^(BM)the Holy Spirit says:

¹² Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but ^[r]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, ¹⁵ while it is said:

Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers

^16 (BP)For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? ¹⁷ Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, ^(BQ)whose corpses fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And ^(BR)to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? ¹⁹ So we see that they could not enter in because of ^(BS)unbelief.

The Promise of Rest

4 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, ^(BT)let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, ^[s]not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. ³ For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: ^(BV)“And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this place: ^(BW)“They shall not enter My rest.”

⁶ Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:

⁸ For if ^[t]Joshua had ^(BY)given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

The Word Discovers Our Condition

^11 (BZ)Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is ^(CA)living and powerful, and ^(CB)sharper than any ^(CC)two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is ^(CD)a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ^13 (CE)And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(CF)naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Our Compassionate High Priest

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great ^(CG)High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, ^(CH)let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For ^(CI)we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but ^(CJ)was in all points tempted as we are, ^(CK)yet without sin. ^16 (CL)Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Qualifications for High Priesthood

5 For every high priest taken from among men ^(CM)is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He can ^[u]have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to ^(CN)weakness. ³ Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for ^(CO)himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. ⁴ And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as ^(CP)Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

^5 (CQ)So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

⁶ As He also says in another place:

⁷ who, in the days of His flesh, when He had ^(CT)offered up prayers and supplications, ^(CU)with vehement cries and tears to Him ^(CV)who was able to save Him from death, and was heard ^(CW)because of His godly fear, ⁸ though He was a Son, yet He learned ^(CX)obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹ And ^(CY)having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, ¹⁰ called by God as High Priest ^(CZ)“according to the order of Melchizedek,” ¹¹ of whom ^(DA)we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become ^(DB)dull of hearing.

Spiritual Immaturity

¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the ^[v]oracles of God; and you have come to need ^(DC)milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is ^(DD)a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are ^[w]of full age, that is, those who by reason of ^[x]use have their senses exercised ^(DE)to discern both good and evil.

The Peril of Not Progressing

6 Therefore, ^(DF)leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to ^[y]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from ^(DG)dead works and of faith toward God, ^2 (DH)of the doctrine of baptisms, ^(DI)of laying on of hands, ^(DJ)of resurrection of the dead, ^(DK)and of eternal judgment. ³ And this ^[z]we will do if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted ^(DL)the heavenly gift, and ^(DM)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 [aa]if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, ^(DN)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, ^(DO)receives blessing from God; ^8 (DP)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 ^(DQ)God is not unjust to forget ^(DR)your work and ^[ab]labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ^(DS)ministered to the saints, and do minister. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence ^(DT)to the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹² that you do not become ^[ac]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience ^(DU)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, ^(DV)He swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, ^(DW)“Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the ^(DX)promise. ¹⁶ For men indeed swear by the greater, and ^(DY)an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. ¹⁷ Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to ^(DZ)the heirs of promise ^(EA)the ^[ad]immutability of His counsel, ^[ae]confirmed it by an oath, ¹⁸ that by two ^[af]immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to ^(EB)lie, we ^[ag]might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope ^(EC)set before us.

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

The King of Righteousness^(EG)

7 For this ^(EH)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” ³ without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

⁴ Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the ^[ah]spoils. ⁵ And indeed ^(EI)those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; ⁶ but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham ^(EJ)and blessed ^(EK)him who had the promises. ⁷ Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. ⁸ Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, ^(EL)of whom it is witnessed that he lives. ⁹ Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood^(EM)

^11 (EN)Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. ¹³ For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has ^[ai]officiated at the altar.

¹⁴ For it is evident that ^(EO)our Lord arose from ^(EP)Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning ^[aj]priesthood. ¹⁵ And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest ¹⁶ who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. ¹⁷ For ^[ak]He testifies:

¹⁸ For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of ^(ER)its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹ for ^(ES)the law made nothing ^[al]perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of ^(ET)a better hope, through which ^(EU)we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

²⁰ And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹ (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

²² by so much more Jesus has become a ^[an]surety of a ^(EW)better covenant.

²³ Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. ²⁴ But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵ Therefore He is also ^(EX)able to save ^[ao]to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives ^(EY)to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For such a High Priest was fitting for us, ^(EZ)who is holy, ^[ap]harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, ^(FA)and has become higher than the heavens; ²⁷ who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His ^(FB)own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

The New Priestly Service

8 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, ^(FC)who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, ² a Minister of ^(FD)the ^[aq]sanctuary and of ^(FE)the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

³ For ^(FF)every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore ^(FG)it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. ⁴ For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; ⁵ who serve ^(FH)the copy and ^(FI)shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ^(FJ)“See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But now ^(FK)He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a ^(FL)better covenant, which was established on better promises.

A New Covenant^(FM)

⁷ For if that ^(FN)first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. ⁸ Because finding fault with them, He says: ^(FO)“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— ⁹ not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. ¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the ^(FP)Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and ^(FQ)I will be their God, and they shall be My people. ^11 (FR)None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the ^(FS)Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. ¹² For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, ^(FT)and their sins ^[ar]and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

^13 (FU)In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The Earthly Sanctuary^(FV)

9 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and ^(FW)the earthly sanctuary. ² For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the ^[as]sanctuary; ^3 (FX)and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, ⁴ which had the ^(FY)golden censer and ^(FZ)the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were ^(GA)the golden pot that had the manna, ^(GB)Aaron’s rod that budded, and ^(GC)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and ^(GD)above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Limitations of the Earthly Service

⁶ Now when these things had been thus prepared, ^(GE)the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷ But into the second part the high priest went alone ^(GF)once a year, not without blood, which he offered for ^(GG)himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; ⁸ the Holy Spirit indicating this, that ^(GH)the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. ⁹ It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered ^(GI)which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— ¹⁰ concerned only with ^(GJ)foods and drinks, ^(GK)various ^[at]washings, ^(GL)and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

¹¹ But Christ came as High Priest of ^(GM)the good things ^[au]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. ¹² Not ^(GN)with the blood of goats and calves, but ^(GO)with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place ^(GP)once for all, ^(GQ)having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(GR)the blood of bulls and goats and ^(GS)the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, ^[av]sanctifies for the ^[aw]purifying of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without ^[ax]spot to God, ^(GT)cleanse your conscience from ^(GU)dead works ^(GV)to serve the living God? ¹⁵ And for this reason ^(GW)He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that ^(GX)those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The Mediator’s Death Necessary

¹⁶ For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷ For ^(GY)a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. ^18 (GZ)Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. ¹⁹ For when Moses had spoken every ^[ay]precept to all the people according to the law, ^(HA)he took the blood of calves and goats, ^(HB)with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, ^(HC)“This is the ^(HD)blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” ²¹ Then likewise ^(HE)he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. ²² And according to the law almost all things are ^[az]purified with blood, and ^(HF)without shedding of blood there is no ^[ba]remission.

Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice

²³ Therefore it was necessary that ^(HG)the copies of the things in the heavens should be ^[bb]purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For ^(HH)Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are ^[bc]copies of ^(HI)the true, but into heaven itself, now ^(HJ)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ not that He should offer Himself often, as ^(HK)the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— ²⁶ He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ^27 (HL)And as it is appointed for men to die once, ^(HM)but after this the judgment, ²⁸ so ^(HN)Christ was ^(HO)offered once to bear the sins ^(HP)of many. To those who ^(HQ)eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Animal Sacrifices Insufficient

10 For the law, having a ^(HR)shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, ^(HS)can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. ² For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once ^[bd]purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. ³ But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For ^(HT)it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will^(HU)

⁵ Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

⁸ Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), ⁹ then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, ^[be]O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. ^10 (HW)By that will we have been ^[bf]sanctified ^(HX)through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified

¹¹ And every priest stands ^(HY)ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ^12 (HZ)But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down ^(IA)at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting ^(IB)till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being ^[bg]sanctified.

¹⁵ But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

^16 (IC)“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” ¹⁷ then He adds, ^(ID)“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” ¹⁸ Now where there is ^[bh]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Hold Fast Your Confession

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, having ^(IE)boldness^[bi] to enter ^(IF)the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and ^(IG)living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us ^(IH)draw near with a true heart ^(II)in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for ^(IJ)He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ^25 (IK)not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and ^(IL)so much the more as you see ^(IM)the Day approaching.

The Just Live by Faith

²⁶ For ^(IN)if we sin willfully ^(IO)after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there ^(IP)no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and ^(IQ)fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three ^(IR)witnesses. ^29 (IS)Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, ^(IT)counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, ^(IU)and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, ^(IV)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” ^[bj]says the Lord. And again, ^(IW)“The Lord will judge His people.” ^31 (IX)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But ^(IY)recall the former days in which, after you were ^[bk]illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: ³³ partly while you were made ^(IZ)a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while ^(JA)you became companions of those who were so treated; ³⁴ for you had compassion on ^[bl]me ^(JB)in my chains, and ^(JC)joyfully accepted the plundering of your ^[bm]goods, knowing that ^(JD)you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves ^[bn]in heaven. ³⁵ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, ^(JE)which has great reward. ^36 (JF)For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, ^(JG)you may receive the promise:

³⁹ But we are not of those ^(JK)who draw back to ^[br]perdition, but of those who ^(JL)believe to the saving of the soul.

By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the ^[bs]substance of things hoped for, the ^[bt]evidence ^(JM)of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

³ By faith we understand that ^(JN)the ^[bu]worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History^(JO)

⁴ By faith ^(JP)Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still ^(JQ)speaks.

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ^(JR)“and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

⁷ By faith ^(JS)Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, ^(JT)prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of ^(JU)the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham^(JV)

⁸ By faith ^(JW)Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, ^(JX)dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(JY)the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for ^(JZ)the city which has foundations, ^(KA)whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ By faith ^(KB)Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and ^(KC)she^[bv] bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him ^(KD)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as ^(KE)dead, were born as many as the ^(KF)stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

¹³ These all died in faith, ^(KG)not having received the ^(KH)promises, but ^(KI)having seen them afar off ^[bw]were assured of them, embraced them and ^(KJ)confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things ^(KK)declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind ^(KL)that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed ^(KM)to be called their God, for He has ^(KN)prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs^(KO)

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, ^(KP)when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ^18 [bx]of whom it was said, ^(KQ)“In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ¹⁹ concluding that God ^(KR)was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

²⁰ By faith ^(KS)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, ^(KT)blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

²² By faith ^(KU)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses^(KV)

²³ By faith ^(KW)Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s ^(KX)command.

²⁴ By faith ^(KY)Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the ^[by]passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming ^(KZ)the ^[bz]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures ^[ca]in Egypt; for he looked to the ^(LA)reward.

²⁷ By faith ^(LB)he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith ^(LC)he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By faith ^(LD)they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

³⁰ By faith ^(LE)the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith ^(LF)the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who ^[cb]did not believe, when ^(LG)she had received the spies with peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of ^(LH)Gideon and ^(LI)Barak and ^(LJ)Samson and ^(LK)Jephthah, also of ^(LL)David and ^(LM)Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, ^(LN)stopped the mouths of lions, ^34 (LO)quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ^35 (LP)Women received their dead raised to life again.

Others were ^(LQ)tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and ^(LR)of chains and imprisonment. ^37 (LS)They were stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[cc]were tempted, were slain with the sword. ^(LT)They wandered about ^(LU)in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, ^(LV)in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And all these, ^(LW)having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be ^(LX)made perfect apart from us.

The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, ^(LY)let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and ^(LZ)let us run ^(MA)with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the ^[cd]author and ^[ce]finisher of our faith, ^(MB)who for the joy that was set before Him ^(MC)endured the cross, despising the shame, and ^(MD)has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Discipline of God^(ME)

^3 (MF)For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, ^(MG)lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. ^4 (MH)You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

^7 (MK)If^[cg] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what ^(ML)son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, ^(MM)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to ^(MN)the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, ^(MO)that we may be partakers of His holiness. ¹¹ Now no ^[ch]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields ^(MP)the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Renew Your Spiritual Vitality^(MQ)

¹² Therefore ^(MR)strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

^14 (MS)Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, ^(MT)without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone ^(MU)fall short of the grace of God; lest any ^(MV)root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any ^(MW)fornicator or ^[ci]profane person like Esau, ^(MX)who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was ^(MY)rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

The Glorious Company

¹⁸ For you have not come ^[cj]to ^(MZ)the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and ^[ck]darkness and tempest, ¹⁹ and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it ^(NA)begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. ²⁰ (For they could not endure what was commanded: ^(NB)“And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned ^[cl]or shot with an arrow.” ²¹ And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ^(NC)“I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, ²³ to the ^[cm]general assembly and church of ^(ND)the firstborn ^(NE)who are registered in heaven, to God ^(NF)the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men ^(NG)made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus ^(NH)the Mediator of the new covenant, and to ^(NI)the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things ^(NJ)than that of Abel.

Hear the Heavenly Voice

²⁵ See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For ^(NK)if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, ²⁶ whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ^(NL)“Yet once more I ^[cn]shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” ²⁷ Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the ^(NM)removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we ^[co]may ^(NN)serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For ^(NO)our God is a consuming fire.

Concluding Moral Directions

13 Let ^(NP)brotherly love continue. ^2 (NQ)Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing ^(NR)some have unwittingly entertained angels. ^3 (NS)Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

^4 (NT)Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; ^(NU)but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ^(NV)“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we may boldly say:

Concluding Religious Directions

⁷ Remember those who ^[cp]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is ^(NX)the same yesterday, today, and forever. ⁹ Do not be carried ^[cq]about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might ^[cr]sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. ¹³ Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing ^(NY)His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. ^15 (NZ)Therefore by Him let us continually offer ^(OA)the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(OB)the fruit of our lips, ^[cs]giving thanks to His name. ^16 (OC)But do not forget to do good and to share, for ^(OD)with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

^17 (OE)Obey those who ^[ct]rule over you, and be submissive, for ^(OF)they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Prayer Requested

^18 (OG)Pray for us; for we are confident that we have ^(OH)a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. ¹⁹ But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell

²⁰ Now may ^(OI)the God of peace ^(OJ)who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, ^(OK)that great Shepherd of the sheep, ^(OL)through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you ^[cu]complete in every good work to do His will, ^(OM)working in ^[cv]you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. ²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

²⁴ Greet all those who ^[cw]rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen.