Hebrews 1-2

New International Version

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke^(A) to our ancestors through the prophets^(B) at many times and in various ways,^(C) ²but in these last days^(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,^(E) whom he appointed heir^(F) of all things, and through whom^(G) also he made the universe.^(H) ³The Son is the radiance of God’s glory^(I) and the exact representation of his being,^(J) sustaining all things^(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,^(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.^(M) ⁴So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.^(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

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

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father”^[a]?^(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son”^[b]?^(P)

⁶And again, when God brings his firstborn^(Q) into the world,^(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”^[c]^(S)

⁷In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
and his servants flames of fire.”^[d]^(T)

⁸But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;^(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions^(V)
    by anointing you with the oil^(W) of joy.”^[e]^(X)

¹⁰He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.^(Y)
¹¹They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.^(Z)
¹²You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,^(AA)
    and your years will never end.”^[f]^(AB)

¹³To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand^(AC)
until I make your enemies
a footstool^(AD) for your feet”^[g]?^(AE)

¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits^(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit^(AG) salvation?^(AH)

Warning to Pay Attention

2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.^(AI) ²For since the message spoken^(AJ) through angels^(AK) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,^(AL) ³how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?^(AM) This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,^(AN) was confirmed to us by those who heard him.^(AO) ⁴God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,^(AP) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit^(AQ) distributed according to his will.^(AR)

Jesus Made Fully Human

⁵It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶But there is a place where someone^(AS) has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?^(AT)
⁷You made them a little^[h] lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
⁸    and put everything under their feet.”^[i]^[j]^(AU)

In putting everything under them,^[k] God left nothing that is not subject to them.^[l] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.^[m] ⁹But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor^(AV) because he suffered death,^(AW) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.^(AX)

¹⁰In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists,^(AY) should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.^(AZ) ¹¹Both the one who makes people holy^(BA) and those who are made holy^(BB) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.^[n]^(BC) ¹²He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”^[o]^(BD)

¹³And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”^[p]^(BE)

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”^[q]^(BF)

¹⁴Since the children have flesh and blood,^(BG) he too shared in their humanity^(BH) so that by his death he might break the power^(BI) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil^(BJ)— ¹⁵and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear^(BK) of death. ¹⁶For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.^(BL) ¹⁷For this reason he had to be made like them,^[r]^(BM) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful^(BN) and faithful high priest^(BO) in service to God,^(BP) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.^(BQ) ¹⁸Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.^(BR)

Footnotes

Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1
Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
Hebrews 2:8 Or ⁷You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ ⁸and put everything under his feet.”
Hebrews 2:8 Or him
Hebrews 2:8 Or him
Hebrews 2:8 Or him
Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers