Hebrews 2-3

English Standard Version

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation

2 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ² For since ^(A)the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and ^(B)every transgression or disobedience received a just ^(C)retribution, ^3 (D)how shall we escape if we ^(E)neglect such a great salvation? It was ^(F)declared at first by the Lord, and it was ^(G)attested to us ^(H)by those who heard, ^4 (I)while God also bore witness ^(J)by signs and wonders and various miracles and by ^(K)gifts of the Holy Spirit ^(L)distributed according to his will.

The Founder of Salvation

⁵ For it was not to angels that God subjected the world ^(M)to come, of which we are speaking. ⁶ It has been testified somewhere,

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, ^(O)we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. ⁹ But we see him ^(P)who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, ^(Q)crowned with glory and honor ^(R)because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might ^(S)taste death ^(T)for everyone.

¹⁰ For it ^(U)was fitting that he, ^(V)for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons ^(W)to glory, should make the ^(X)founder of their salvation ^(Y)perfect through suffering. ¹¹ For ^(Z)he who sanctifies and ^(AA)those who are sanctified ^(AB)all have one source.^[b] That is why he is not ashamed to call them ^(AC)brothers,^{[c] 12} saying,

¹³ And again,

And again,

¹⁴ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise ^(AI)partook of the same things, that ^(AJ)through death he might ^(AK)destroy ^(AL)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who ^(AM)through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he ^(AN)helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had ^(AO)to be made like his brothers in every respect, ^(AP)so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest ^(AQ)in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered ^(AR)when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus Greater Than Moses

3 Therefore, holy brothers,^[d] you who share in ^(AS)a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, ^(AT)the apostle and high priest of our confession, ² who was faithful to him who appointed him, ^(AU)just as Moses also was faithful in all God's^[e] house. ³ For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. ⁴ (For every house is built by someone, but ^(AV)the builder of all things is God.) ^5 (AW)Now Moses was faithful in all God's house ^(AX)as a servant, ^(AY)to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, ⁶ but Christ is faithful over God's house as ^(AZ)a son. And ^(BA)we are his house, if indeed we ^(BB)hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.^[f]

A Rest for the People of God

⁷ Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

¹² Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from ^(BF)the living God. ¹³ But ^(BG)exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by ^(BH)the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have come to share in Christ, ^(BI)if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. ¹⁵ As it is said,

¹⁶ For ^(BK)who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not ^(BL)all those who left Egypt led by Moses? ¹⁷ And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, ^(BM)whose bodies fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And to whom did he swear that ^(BN)they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? ¹⁹ So we see that ^(BO)they were unable to enter because of unbelief.