Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Common English Bible

¹¹ We have a lot to say about this topic, and it’s difficult to explain, because you have been lazy and you haven’t been listening. ¹² Although you should have been teachers by now, you need someone to teach you an introduction to the basics about God’s message. You have come to the place where you need milk instead of solid food. ¹³ Everyone who lives on milk is not used to the word of righteousness, because they are babies. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between good and evil.

Let’s press on to maturity

6 So let’s press on to maturity, by moving on from the basics about Christ’s word. Let’s not lay a foundation of turning away from dead works, of faith in God, ² of teaching about ritual ways to wash with water, laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment—all over again. ³ We’re going to press on, if God allows it.

⁴ Because it’s impossible to restore people to changed hearts and lives who turn away once they have seen the light, tasted the heavenly gift, become partners with the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age. ⁶ They are crucifying God’s Son all over again and exposing him to public shame. ⁷ The ground receives a blessing from God when it drinks up the rain that regularly comes and falls on it and yields a useful crop for those people for whom it is being farmed. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it’s useless and close to being cursed. It ends up being burned.

Make your hope sure

⁹ But we are convinced of better things in your case, brothers and sisters, even though we are talking this way—things that go together with salvation. ¹⁰ God isn’t unjust so that he forgets your efforts and the love you have shown for his name’s sake when you served and continue to serve God’s holy people. ¹¹ But we desperately want each of you to show the same effort to make your hope sure until the end. ¹² This is so you won’t be lazy but follow the example of the ones who inherit the promises through faith and patience.