Old/New Testament
19 Seeing, brethren, that by the means of the blood of Jesus we may be bold to enter into that holy place, 20 by the new and living way that he has prepared for us through the veil (that is to say, by his flesh), 21 and seeing also that we have a high priest who is ruler over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart, in full faith, sprinkled in our hearts from an evil conscience, and washed in our bodies with pure water. 23 And let us keep the profession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another, to encourage to love and to good works. 25 And let us not forsake the fellowship that we have among ourselves, as the manner of some is, but let us exhort one another, and that so much the more because you see that the day draws near.
26 For if we sin willingly after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful looking for judgment and violent fire, which will devour the adversaries. 28 He who despises Moses’ law dies without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment do you suppose that person will be counted deserving who treads under foot the Son of God, and counts as an unholy thing the blood of the testament by which he was sanctified, and does dishonour to the Spirit of Grace? 30 For we know him who has said: Vengeance belongs to me; I will recompense, says the Lord. And again: The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Call to remembrance the days that are past, in which, after you had received light, you endured a great fight in adversities – 33 at times when everyone wondered and gazed at you for the shame and tribulation that was done to you, and other times when you became companions of those in such circumstances. 34 For you suffered also with my bonds. And you bore patiently the spoiling of your goods, and that with gladness, knowing in yourselves that you had in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which earns great reward. 36 For you have need of patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 For yet a very little while, and he who is to come will come, and will not be long. 38 But the just shall live by faith. And if a person withdraws himself, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of those who withdraw ourselves unto damnation, but are of faith to the winning of the soul.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.