Hebrews 6:1-12

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Peril of Falling Away

6 Therefore let us go on^[a] toward perfection,^[b] leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God,^{(A) 2} instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.^{(B) 3} And we will do^[c] this, if God permits. ⁴ For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit^{(C) 5} and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come^{(D) 6} and then have fallen away, since they are crucifying again the Son of God to their own harm and are holding him up to contempt.^{(E) 7} Ground that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God.^{(F) 8} But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being cursed; its end is to be burned over.^(G)

⁹ Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the^[d] love that you showed for his sake^[e] in serving the saints, as you still do.^{(H) 11} And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end,^{(I) 12} so that you may not become sluggish but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.^(J)