Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks
God Speaks to Us By His Son
1 In the past, God spoke to our forefathers by the prophets at many times and in many ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of the divine nature. He sustains all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,[a] he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
The Son Is Superior to the Angels
4 The Son became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my Son. Today I have begotten you?[b]
And again:
I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.[c]
6 And again, when he brought his firstborn into the world, he said:
Let all God’s angels worship him.[d]
7 About the angels he says:
He makes his messengers winds and his ministers flaming fire.[e]
8 But about the Son he says:
God, your throne is forever and ever,
and the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy
beyond your companions.[f]
10 And he says:
In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth,
and the heavens are the works of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain.
They will all become old like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe,
and they will be changed like a garment.[g]
But you are the same,
and your years will never end.[h]
13 To which of the angels has he ever said:
Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool under your feet?[i]
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent out to serve for the benefit of those who are going to inherit salvation?
Pay Attention to God’s Word
2 Therefore, we need to pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message that was spoken through angels[j] was valid, and every transgression and disobedient act received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? First the message was spoken by the Lord; then it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it with signs and wonders, various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his will.
God Put Everything Under His Control
5 For God did not place the coming world, about which we are speaking, under the control of angels. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:
What is man that you remember him,
or the Son of Man[k] that you look after him?
7 You made him lower than the angels for a little while.[l]
You crowned him with glory and honor.[m]
8 You put everything in subjection under his feet.[n]
Indeed, in putting everything in subjection to him, God left nothing that is not in subjection to him. At the present time, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we look to Jesus (the one who was made lower than the angels for a little while, so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone), now crowned with glory and honor, because he suffered death.
A Merciful and Faithful High Priest
10 Certainly it was fitting for God (the one for whom and through whom everything exists), in leading many sons to glory, to bring the author of their salvation to his goal through sufferings. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. For that reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers.[o] 12 He says:
I will declare your name to my brothers.
Within the congregation I will sing your praise.[p]
13 And again:
I will trust in him.[q]
And again:
Here I am and the children God has given me.[r]
14 Therefore, since the children share flesh and blood,[s] he also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) 15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For surely he was not concerned with helping angels but with helping Abraham’s offspring.[t] 17 For this reason, he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order that he would be a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God, so that he could pay[u] for the sins of the people. 18 Indeed, because he suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.