⁵ Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever?

² I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets^(A) and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.^(B)

³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days^(C) scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.^{(D) 4} They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?^(E) Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”^(F)

²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once,^(A) and after that to face judgment,^(B)

²³ Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ²⁴ but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.^(A)

³⁶ “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;^(A) he was buried with his ancestors^(B) and his body decayed.

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed!^(A) Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death.