¹⁷ So ^(A)faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Warning Against Apostasy

¹¹ About this we have much to say, and it is ^(A)hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again ^(B)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need ^(C)milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is ^(D)a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(E)the mature, for those who have their powers ^(F)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

6 Therefore ^(G)let us leave ^(H)the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance ^(I)from dead works and of faith toward God, ² and of ^(J)instruction about washings,^{[a] (K)}the laying on of hands, ^(L)the resurrection of the dead, and ^(M)eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do ^(N)if God permits.

¹⁴ how much more will ^(A)the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit ^(B)offered himself without blemish to God, ^(C)purify our^[a] conscience ^(D)from dead works ^(E)to serve the living God.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith ^(A)with virtue,^[a] and virtue ^(B)with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control ^(C)with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness ^(D)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection ^(E)with love. ⁸ For if these qualities^[b] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or ^(F)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ^(G)is blind, having forgotten that he was ^(H)cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers,^[c] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and ^(I)election, for if you practice these qualities ^(J)you will never fall. ¹¹ For in this way there will be richly provided for you ^(K)an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹² Thus, sinning against your brothers^[a] and ^(A)wounding their conscience when it is weak, ^(B)you sin against Christ.

² through the insincerity of ^(A)liars whose consciences are seared,