Hebrews 4:12-6

English Standard Version

¹² For ^(A)the word of God is living and ^(B)active, ^(C)sharper than any ^(D)two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and ^(E)discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And ^(F)no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are ^(G)naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Since then we have ^(H)a great high priest ^(I)who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, ^(J)let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest ^(K)who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been ^(L)tempted as we are, ^(M)yet without sin. ^16 (N)Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

5 For every high priest chosen from among men ^(O)is appointed to act on behalf of men ^(P)in relation to God, ^(Q)to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ^2 (R)He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself ^(S)is beset with weakness. ³ Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins ^(T)just as he does for those of the people. ⁴ And ^(U)no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, ^(V)just as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ ^(W)did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

⁶ as he says also in another place,

⁷ In the days of his flesh, ^(Z)Jesus^[a] offered up prayers and supplications, ^(AA)with loud cries and tears, to him ^(AB)who was able to save him from death, and ^(AC)he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although ^(AD)he was a son, ^(AE)he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And ^(AF)being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest ^(AG)after the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Apostasy

¹¹ About this we have much to say, and it is ^(AH)hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again ^(AI)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need ^(AJ)milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is ^(AK)a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(AL)the mature, for those who have their powers ^(AM)of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

6 Therefore ^(AN)let us leave ^(AO)the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance ^(AP)from dead works and of faith toward God, ² and of ^(AQ)instruction about washings,^{[b] (AR)}the laying on of hands, ^(AS)the resurrection of the dead, and ^(AT)eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do ^(AU)if God permits. ⁴ For it is impossible, in the case of those ^(AV)who have once been enlightened, who have tasted ^(AW)the heavenly gift, and ^(AX)have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and ^(AY)have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ and ^(AZ)then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since ^(BA)they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. ⁷ For ^(BB)land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But ^(BC)if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, ^(BD)and its end is to be burned.

⁹ Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. ¹⁰ For ^(BE)God is not unjust so as to overlook ^(BF)your work and the love that you have shown for his name in ^(BG)serving the saints, as you still do. ¹¹ And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance ^(BH)of hope until the end, ¹² so that you may not be sluggish, but ^(BI)imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.