Hebrews 1-13

New American Standard Bible

God’s Final Word in His Son

1 God, after He ^(A)spoke long ago to the fathers in ^(B)the prophets in many portions and ^(C)in many ways, ^2 [a](D)in these last days ^(E)has spoken to us ^[b]in His ^(F)Son, whom He appointed ^(G)heir of all things, ^(H)through whom He also made the ^[c](I)world. ^3 [d]And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact ^(J)representation of His nature, and ^[e](K)upholds all things by ^[f]the word of His power. When He had made ^(L)purification of sins, He ^(M)sat down at the right hand of the ^(N)Majesty on high, ⁴ having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent ^(O)name than they.

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

And again,

⁶ And ^[g]when He again ^(R)brings the firstborn into ^[h](S)the world, He says,

⁷ And regarding the angels He says,

⁸ But regarding the Son He says,

¹⁰ And,

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

¹⁴ Are they not all ^(AG)ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will ^(AH)inherit ^(AI)salvation?

Pay Attention

2 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to ^[k]what we have heard, so that ^(AJ)we do not drift away from it. ² For if the word ^(AK)spoken through ^(AL)angels proved ^[l]unalterable, and ^(AM)every violation and act of disobedience received a just ^[m](AN)punishment, ^3 (AO)how will we escape if we neglect so great a ^(AP)salvation? ^[n]After it was at first ^(AQ)spoken through the Lord, it was ^(AR)confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ God also testifying with them, both by ^(AS)signs and wonders, and by ^(AT)various ^[o]miracles and by ^[p](AU)gifts of the Holy Spirit ^(AV)according to His own will.

Earth Subject to Man

⁵ For He did not subject to angels ^[q](AW)the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶ But someone has testified ^(AX)somewhere, saying,

For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now ^(BB)we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

Jesus Briefly Humbled

⁹ But we do see Him who was ^(BC)made ^[t]for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, ^(BD)because of His suffering death ^(BE)crowned with glory and honor, so that ^(BF)by the grace of God He might ^(BG)taste death ^(BH)for everyone.

¹⁰ For ^(BI)it was fitting for Him, ^(BJ)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to ^(BK)perfect the ^[u](BL)originator of their salvation through sufferings. ¹¹ For both He who ^(BM)sanctifies and those who ^(BN)are ^[v]sanctified are all ^(BO)from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them ^(BP)brothers and sisters, ¹² saying,

¹³ And again,

And again,

¹⁴ Therefore, since the children share in ^[w](BT)flesh and blood, ^(BU)He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that ^(BV)through death He might destroy ^(BW)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and free those who through ^(BX)fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. ¹⁶ For clearly He does not ^[x]give help to angels, but He gives help to the ^[y]descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore, in all things He ^[z]had ^(BY)to be made like His brothers so that He might ^(BZ)become a merciful and faithful ^(CA)high priest in ^(CB)things pertaining to God, to ^(CC)make ^[aa]propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For since He Himself was ^[ab](CD)tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are ^[ac]tempted.

Jesus Our High Priest

3 Therefore, ^(CE)holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a ^(CF)heavenly calling, consider ^(CG)the Apostle and ^(CH)High Priest of our ^(CI)confession: Jesus; ^2 [ad]He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as ^(CJ)Moses also was in all His house. ^3 (CK)For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. ⁵ Now ^(CL)Moses was faithful in all ^[ae]God’s house as ^(CM)a servant, ^(CN)for a testimony of those things ^(CO)which were to be spoken later; ⁶ but Christ was faithful as ^(CP)a Son over His house—^(CQ)whose house we are, ^(CR)if we hold firmly to our ^(CS)confidence and the boast of our ^[af](CT)hope.

⁷ Therefore, just as ^(CU)the Holy Spirit says,

The Danger of Unbelief

^12 (DB)Take care, brothers and sisters, that there will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart ^[ah]that falls away from ^(DC)the living God. ¹³ But ^(DD)encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the ^(DE)deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ ^(DF)if we keep the beginning of our ^[ai](DG)commitment firm until the end, ¹⁵ while it is said,

¹⁶ For who ^(DI)provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, ^(DJ)did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? ¹⁷ And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, ^(DK)whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And to whom did He swear ^(DL)that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were ^(DM)disobedient? ¹⁹ And so we see that they were not able to enter because of ^(DN)unbelief.

The Believer’s Rest

4 Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have ^(DO)come short of it. ² For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but ^(DP)the word ^[ak]they heard did not benefit them, because ^[al]they were not united with those who listened with faith. ³ For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,

although His works were finished ^(DR)from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has said ^(DS)somewhere concerning the seventh day: “^(DT)And God ^(DU)rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this passage, “^(DV)They certainly shall not enter My rest.” ⁶ Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of ^(DW)disobedience, ⁷ He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying ^[am]through David after so long a time just ^(DX)as has been said before,

⁸ For ^(DZ)if ^[an]Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. ⁹ Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For the one who has entered His rest has himself also ^(EA)rested from his works, as ^(EB)God did from His. ¹¹ Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same ^(EC)example of ^(ED)disobedience. ¹² For ^(EE)the word of God is ^(EF)living and ^(EG)active, and sharper than any two-edged ^(EH)sword, even penetrating as far as the division of ^(EI)soul and ^(EJ)spirit, of both joints and marrow, and ^(EK)able to ^[ao]judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And ^(EL)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(EM)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom ^[ap]we must answer.

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great ^(EN)high priest who has ^(EO)passed through the heavens, Jesus ^(EP)the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our ^(EQ)confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have ^(ER)a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been ^(ES)tempted in all things just as we are, yet ^(ET)without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let’s ^(EU)approach the throne of grace with ^(EV)confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

The Perfect High Priest

5 For every high priest ^(EW)taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in ^(EX)things pertaining to God, in order to ^(EY)offer both gifts and sacrifices ^(EZ)for sins; ^2 [aq](FA)he can deal gently with the ^(FB)ignorant and ^(FC)misguided, since he himself also is ^[ar](FD)clothed in weakness; ³ and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices ^(FE)for sins for himself, ^(FF)as well as for the people. ⁴ And ^(FG)no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just ^(FH)as Aaron also was.

⁵ So too Christ ^(FI)did not glorify Himself in becoming a ^(FJ)high priest, but it was He who ^(FK)said to Him,

⁶ just as He also says in another passage,

⁷ In the days of ^[as]His humanity, ^[at](FO)He offered up both prayers and pleas with ^(FP)loud crying and tears to the One ^(FQ)able to save Him ^[au]from death, and He ^[av]was heard because of His ^(FR)devout behavior. ⁸ Although He was ^(FS)a Son, He learned ^(FT)obedience from the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been ^(FU)perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, ¹⁰ being designated by God as ^(FV)High Priest according to ^(FW)the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ Concerning ^[aw]him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become ^[ax]poor listeners. ¹² For though ^[ay]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you ^(FX)the ^[az](FY)elementary principles of the ^(FZ)actual words of God, and you have come to need ^(GA)milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an ^(GB)infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(GC)the mature, who because of practice have their senses ^(GD)trained to ^(GE)distinguish between good and evil.

The Danger of Falling Away

6 Therefore ^(GF)leaving ^(GG)the ^[ba]elementary teaching about the ^[bb]Christ, let us press on to ^[bc](GH)maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from ^(GI)dead works and of faith toward God, ² of ^(GJ)instruction about ^[bd]washings and ^(GK)laying on of hands, and about the ^(GL)resurrection of the dead and ^(GM)eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do, ^(GN)if God permits. ⁴ For it is ^(GO)impossible, in the case of those who have once been ^(GP)enlightened and have tasted of ^(GQ)the heavenly gift and have been made ^(GR)partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(GS)have tasted the good ^(GT)word of God and the powers of ^(GU)the age to come, ⁶ and then have ^[be]fallen away, to ^(GV)restore them again to repentance, ^[bf](GW)since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. ⁷ For ground that drinks the rain which often ^[bg]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those ^(GX)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; ⁸ but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and ^[bh](GY)close to being cursed, and ^[bi]it ends up being burned.

Better Things for You

⁹ But, ^(GZ)beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that ^[bj]accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. ¹⁰ For ^(HA)God is not unjust so as to forget ^(HB)your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having ^(HC)served and by still serving the ^[bk]saints. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence ^[bl]so as to realize the ^(HD)full assurance of ^(HE)hope until the end, ¹² so that you will not be sluggish, but ^(HF)imitators of those who through ^(HG)faith and endurance ^(HH)inherit the promises.

¹³ For ^(HI)when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear an oath by no one greater, He ^(HJ)swore by Himself, ¹⁴ saying, “^(HK)indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply you.” ¹⁵ And so, ^(HL)having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. ^16 (HM)For people swear an oath by ^[bm]one greater than themselves, and with them ^(HN)an oath serving as confirmation is an end of every dispute. ^17 [bn]In the same way God, desiring even more to demonstrate to ^(HO)the heirs of the promise ^[bo](HP)the fact that His purpose is unchangeable, ^[bp]confirmed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things in which ^(HQ)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to hold firmly to ^(HR)the hope set before us. ^19 [bq]This ^(HS)hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which ^(HT)enters ^[br]within the veil, ^20 (HU)where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a ^(HV)high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood like Christ’s

7 For this ^(HW)Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the ^(HX)Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. ³ Without father, without mother, ^(HY)without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like ^(HZ)the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the ^(IA)patriarch, ^(IB)gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of ^(IC)the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment ^[bs]in the Law to collect ^[bt]a tenth from the people, that is, from their countrymen, although they ^[bu]are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one ^(ID)whose genealogy is not traced from them ^(IE)collected ^[bv]a tenth from Abraham and ^[bw](IF)blessed the one who ^(IG)had the promises. ⁷ But without any dispute the lesser person is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, ^(IH)of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. ⁹ And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, has paid tithes, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his ^[bx]forefather when Melchizedek met him.

^11 (II)So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it ^(IJ)the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise ^(IK)according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. ¹³ For ^(IL)the one about whom ^(IM)these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord ^[by]was ^(IN)descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of ^[bz](IO)physical requirement, but according to the power of ^(IP)an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him,

¹⁸ For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment ^(IR)because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for ^(IS)the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better ^(IT)hope, through which we ^(IU)come near to God. ²⁰ And to the extent that it was not without an oath ²¹ (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

²² by the same extent Jesus also has become the ^[ca](IY)guarantee of ^(IZ)a better covenant.

^23 [cb]The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing; ^24 [cc]Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues ^(JA)forever, holds His priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore He is also able to ^(JB)save ^[cd]forever those who ^(JC)come to God through Him, since He always lives to ^(JD)make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a ^(JE)high priest, ^(JF)holy, ^(JG)innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and ^(JH)exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who has no daily need, like those high priests, to ^(JI)offer up sacrifices, ^(JJ)first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this ^(JK)once for all time when He ^(JL)offered up Himself. ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests ^(JM)who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints ^(JN)a Son, who has been ^(JO)made perfect forever.

A Better Ministry

8 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a ^(JP)high priest, who has taken His seat at ^(JQ)the right hand of the throne of the ^(JR)Majesty in the heavens, ² a ^(JS)minister ^[ce]in the sanctuary and ^[cf]in the ^(JT)true ^[cg]tabernacle, which the Lord ^(JU)set up, not man. ³ For every ^(JV)high priest is appointed ^(JW)to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. ⁴ Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are ^[ch]those who ^(JX)offer the gifts according to the Law; ⁵ who serve ^(JY)a copy and ^(JZ)shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses ^[ci]was ^(KA)warned by God when he was about to erect the ^[cj]tabernacle; for, “^(KB)See,” He says, “that you make all things by the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain.” ⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, to the extent that He is also the ^(KC)mediator of ^(KD)a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

⁷ For ^(KE)if that first covenant had been free of fault, no ^[ck]circumstances would have been sought for a second. ⁸ For in finding fault with ^[cl]the people, He says,

^13 [cp]When He said, “^(KO)A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. ^(KP)But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ^[cq]about to disappear.

The Old and the New

9 Now even the first covenant had ^(KQ)regulations for divine worship and ^(KR)the earthly sanctuary. ² For ^(KS)a ^[cr]tabernacle was equipped, the ^[cs]outer sanctuary, in which were ^(KT)the lampstand, ^(KU)the table, and ^(KV)the ^[ct]sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind ^(KW)the second veil there was a ^[cu]tabernacle which is called the ^(KX)Most Holy Place, ⁴ having a golden ^[cv](KY)altar of incense and ^(KZ)the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was ^(LA)a golden jar holding the manna, ^(LB)Aaron’s staff which budded, and ^(LC)the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the ^(LD)cherubim of glory ^(LE)overshadowing the ^[cw]atoning cover; but about these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests ^(LF)are continually entering the ^[cx]outer ^[cy]tabernacle, performing the divine worship, ⁷ but into ^(LG)the second, only ^(LH)the high priest enters ^(LI)once a year, ^(LJ)not without taking blood which he ^(LK)offers for himself and for the ^[cz](LL)sins of the people committed in ignorance. ^8 (LM)The Holy Spirit is signifying this, ^(LN)that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the ^[da]outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly ^(LO)both gifts and sacrifices are offered which ^(LP)cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, ¹⁰ since they relate only to ^(LQ)food, ^(LR)drink, and various ^(LS)washings, ^(LT)regulations for the ^[db]body imposed until ^(LU)a time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a ^(LV)high priest of the ^(LW)good things ^[dc]having come, He entered through ^(LX)the greater and more perfect ^[dd]tabernacle, ^(LY)not made by hands, that is, ^(LZ)not of this creation; ¹² and not through ^(MA)the blood of goats and calves, but ^(MB)through His own blood, He ^(MC)entered the holy place ^(MD)once for all time, ^[de]having obtained ^(ME)eternal redemption. ¹³ For if ^(MF)the blood of goats and bulls, and ^(MG)the ^[df]ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the ^[dg]cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will ^(MH)the blood of Christ, who through ^[dh](MI)the eternal Spirit ^(MJ)offered Himself without blemish to God, ^(MK)cleanse your conscience from ^(ML)dead works to serve ^(MM)the living God?

¹⁵ For this reason ^(MN)He is the ^(MO)mediator of a ^(MP)new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been ^(MQ)called may ^(MR)receive the promise of ^(MS)the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a ^[di]covenant, there must of necessity ^[dj]be the death of the one who made it. ¹⁷ For a ^[dk]covenant is valid only when people are dead, ^[dl]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. ¹⁸ Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment had been ^(MT)spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, ^(MU)he took the ^(MV)blood of the calves and the goats, with ^(MW)water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both ^(MX)the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “^(MY)This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” ²¹ And in the same way he ^(MZ)sprinkled both the ^[dm]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. ²² And ^(NA)almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and ^(NB)without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²³ Therefore it was necessary for the ^(NC)copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but ^(ND)the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ ^(NE)did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of ^(NF)the true one, but into ^(NG)heaven itself, now ^(NH)to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as ^(NI)the high priest enters ^(NJ)the Holy Place ^(NK)year by year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶ Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since ^(NL)the foundation of the world; but now ^(NM)once at ^(NN)the consummation of the ages He has been ^(NO)revealed to put away sin ^[dn](NP)by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And just as ^(NQ)it is destined for people to die once, and after this ^(NR)comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ also, having been ^(NS)offered once to ^(NT)bear the sins of many, will appear ^(NU)a second time for ^(NV)salvation ^(NW)without reference to sin, to those who ^(NX)eagerly await Him.

One Sacrifice of Christ Is Sufficient

10 For the Law, since it has only ^(NY)a shadow of ^(NZ)the good things to come and not the ^[do]form of those things itself, ^[dp]can ^(OA)never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, ^(OB)make those who approach perfect. ² Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had ^(OC)consciousness of sins? ³ But ^(OD)in ^[dq]those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is ^(OE)impossible for the ^(OF)blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, ^(OG)when He comes into the world, He says,

⁸ After saying above, “^(OM)Sacrifices and offerings and ^(ON)whole burnt offerings and offerings ^(OO)for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), ⁹ then He ^[dr]said, “^(OP)Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. ¹⁰ By ^[ds]this will, we have been ^(OQ)sanctified through ^(OR)the offering of ^(OS)the body of Jesus Christ ^(OT)once for all time.

¹¹ Every priest stands daily ministering and ^(OU)offering time after time the same sacrifices, which ^(OV)can never take away sins; ¹² but He, having offered one sacrifice ^(OW)for ^[dt]sins ^(OX)for all time, ^(OY)sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time onward ^(OZ)until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has ^(PA)perfected ^(PB)for all time those who are ^[du]sanctified. ¹⁵ And ^(PC)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

He then says,

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.

A New and Living Way

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we ^(PF)have confidence to ^(PG)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by ^(PH)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through ^(PI)the veil, that is, through His flesh, ²¹ and since we have ^(PJ)a great priest ^(PK)over the house of God, ²² let’s ^(PL)approach God with a ^[dv]sincere heart in ^(PM)full assurance of faith, having our hearts ^(PN)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies ^(PO)washed with pure water. ²³ Let’s hold firmly to the ^(PP)confession of our ^(PQ)hope without wavering, for ^(PR)He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let’s consider how ^(PS)to ^[dw]encourage one another in love and ^(PT)good deeds, ²⁵ not abandoning our own ^(PU)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but ^(PV)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see ^(PW)the day drawing near.

Christ or Judgment

²⁶ For if we go on ^(PX)sinning willfully after receiving ^(PY)the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a terrifying expectation of ^(PZ)judgment and ^(QA)the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ^28 (QB)Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ^29 (QC)How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve ^(QD)who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean ^(QE)the blood of the covenant ^(QF)by which he was sanctified, and has ^(QG)insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “^(QH)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “^(QI)The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a ^(QJ)terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the ^(QK)living God.

³² But remember ^(QL)the former days, ^[dx]when, after being ^(QM)enlightened, you endured a great ^(QN)conflict of sufferings, ³³ partly by being ^(QO)made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming ^[dy](QP)companions with those who were so treated. ³⁴ For you ^(QQ)showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted ^(QR)joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves ^(QS)a better and lasting possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your ^(QT)confidence, which has a great ^(QU)reward. ³⁶ For you have need of ^(QV)endurance, so that when you have ^(QW)done the will of God, you may ^(QX)receive ^[dz]what was promised.

³⁹ But ^[ea]we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul.

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the ^(RB)certainty of things ^[eb](RC)hoped for, a ^[ec]proof of ^(RD)things not seen. ² For by it the ^(RE)people of old ^[ed](RF)gained approval.

³ By faith we understand that the ^[ee](RG)world has been created ^(RH)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(RI)has not been made out of things that are visible. ⁴ By faith ^(RJ)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(RK)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^[ef]about his ^(RL)gifts, and through ^[eg]faith, though ^(RM)he is dead, he still speaks. ⁵ By faith ^(RN)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(RO)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(RP)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. ⁷ By faith ^(RQ)Noah, being ^(RR)warned by God about ^(RS)things not yet seen, ^[eh](RT)in reverence ^(RU)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(RV)the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith ^(RW)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^[ei]by going out to a place which he was to ^(RX)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(RY)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(RZ)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(SA)fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for ^(SB)the city which has ^(SC)foundations, ^(SD)whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith even ^(SE)Sarah herself received ^[ej]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(SF)faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore even from one man, and ^(SG)one who was as good as dead ^[ek]at that, there were born descendants who were ^(SH)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^13 (SI)All these died in faith, ^(SJ)without receiving the promises, but ^(SK)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(SL)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵ And indeed if they had been ^[el]thinking of that country which they left, ^(SM)they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(SN)heavenly one. Therefore ^(SO)God is not ^[em]ashamed to be ^(SP)called their God; for ^(SQ)He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith ^(SR)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(SS)received the promises was offering up his ^[en]only son; ¹⁸ it was he to whom it was said, “^(ST)Through Isaac your ^[eo]descendants shall be named.” ^19 [ep]He considered that ^(SU)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^[eq]as a ^[er](SV)type. ²⁰ By faith ^(SW)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. ²¹ By faith ^(SX)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(SY)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith ^(SZ)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

²³ By faith ^(TA)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the ^(TB)king’s edict. ²⁴ By faith Moses, ^(TC)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to ^(TD)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, ^26 (TE)considering the ^[es]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(TF)reward. ²⁷ By faith he ^(TG)left Egypt, not ^(TH)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(TI)seeing Him who is unseen. ²⁸ By faith he ^[et](TJ)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(TK)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they ^(TL)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^[eu]drowned.

³⁰ By faith ^(TM)the walls of Jericho fell down ^[ev](TN)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ By faith the prostitute ^(TO)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^[ew]in peace.

³² And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^(TP)Gideon, ^(TQ)Barak, ^(TR)Samson, ^(TS)Jephthah, of ^(TT)David and ^(TU)Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who by faith ^(TV)conquered kingdoms, ^(TW)performed acts of righteousness, ^(TX)obtained promises, ^(TY)shut the mouths of lions, ^34 (TZ)quenched the power of fire, ^(UA)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(UB)became mighty in war, ^(UC)put foreign armies to flight. ^35 (UD)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^[ex]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; ³⁶ and others ^[ey]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(UE)chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were ^(UF)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^[ez]they were tempted, they were ^(UG)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(UH)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(UI)tormented ³⁸ (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(UJ)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^[fa]in the ground.

³⁹ And all these, having ^(UK)gained approval through their faith, ^(UL)did not receive ^[fb]what was promised, ⁴⁰ because God had ^[fc]provided ^(UM)something better for us, so that ^(UN)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Jesus, the Example

12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s ^(UO)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s ^(UP)run with ^(UQ)endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking only at Jesus, the ^[fd](UR)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(US)endured the cross, ^(UT)despising the shame, and has ^(UU)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For ^(UV)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^[fe](UW)and lose heart.

A Father’s Discipline

^4 (UX)You have not yet resisted ^[ff](UY)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; ⁵ and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; ^(VD)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, ^(VE)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had ^[fg]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(VF)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^(VG)the Father of ^[fh]spirits, and ^(VH)live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(VI)so that we may share His holiness. ^11 (VJ)For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the ^(VK)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

¹² Therefore, ^[fi](VL)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, ¹³ and ^(VM)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather ^(VN)be healed.

^14 (VO)Pursue peace with all people, and the ^(VP)holiness without which no one will ^(VQ)see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one ^(VR)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(VS)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^(VT)defiled; ¹⁶ that there be no ^(VU)sexually immoral or ^(VV)godless person like Esau, ^(VW)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that even afterward, ^(VX)when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Contrast of Sinai and Zion

^18 (VY)For you have not come to ^(VZ)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the ^(WA)blast of a trumpet and the ^(WB)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^(WC)begged that no further word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not ^[fj]cope with the command, “^(WD)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^(WE)I am terrified and trembling.” ²² But ^(WF)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(WG)the city of ^(WH)the living God, ^(WI)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(WJ)myriads of ^[fk]angels, ²³ to the general assembly and ^(WK)church of the firstborn who ^(WL)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(WM)the Judge of all, and to the ^(WN)spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the ^(WO)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(WP)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(WQ)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

^25 (WR)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(WS)speaking. For ^(WT)if those did not escape when they ^(WU)refused him who ^(WV)warned them on earth, ^[fl]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(WW)warns us from heaven. ²⁶ And ^(WX)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^(WY)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” ²⁷ This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^(WZ)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we receive a ^(XA)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s ^[fm]show gratitude, by which we may ^(XB)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ²⁹ for ^(XC)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

13 Let ^(XD)love of the brothers and sisters continue. ² Do not neglect ^(XE)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have ^(XF)entertained angels without knowing it. ^3 (XG)Remember ^(XH)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. ^4 (XI)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; ^(XJ)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. ⁵ Make sure that your character is ^(XK)free from the love of money, ^(XL)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “^(XM)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” ⁶ so that we confidently say,

⁷ Remember ^(XO)those who led you, who spoke ^(XP)the word of God to you; and considering the ^[fn]result of their way of life, ^(XQ)imitate their faith. ^8 (XR)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. ^9 (XS)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to ^(XT)be strengthened by grace, not by ^(XU)foods, ^(XV)through which those who ^[fo]were so occupied were not benefited. ¹⁰ We have an altar ^(XW)from which those ^(XX)who serve the ^[fp]tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For ^(XY)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also suffered ^(XZ)outside the gate, ^(YA)that He might sanctify the people ^(YB)through His own blood. ¹³ So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, ^(YC)bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here ^(YD)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking ^(YE)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

^15 (YF)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a ^(YG)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(YH)the fruit of lips praising His name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and ^(YI)sharing, for ^(YJ)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

^17 (YK)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for ^(YL)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not ^[fq]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

^18 (YM)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a ^(YN)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. ¹⁹ And I urge you all the more to do this, ^(YO)so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

Benediction

²⁰ Now may ^(YP)the God of peace, who ^(YQ)brought up from the dead the ^(YR)great Shepherd of the sheep ^[fr]through ^(YS)the blood of the ^(YT)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, ^21 (YU)equip you in every good thing to do His will, ^(YV)working in us that ^(YW)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(YX)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² But ^(YY)I urge you, ^(YZ)brothers and sisters, ^[fs]listen patiently to ^[ft]this ^(ZA)word of exhortation, for ^(ZB)I have written to you briefly. ²³ Know that ^(ZC)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. ²⁴ Greet ^(ZD)all of your leaders and all the ^[fu](ZE)saints. Those from ^(ZF)Italy greet you.

^25 (ZG)Grace be with you all.