1 Long ago on many occasions and in many ways God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.
2 He has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, through whom he made the ages Greek: aion: ages of time, perpetuity, worlds, generations, human entities .
3 Gods Son is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his being. He sustains all things by his powerful word. After Jesus purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
4 He has become better than the angels and has inherited a more excellent name than theirs.
5 To which of the angels did God ever say at any time: »You are my son; this day I have begotten you« ? And again: »I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son« ?
6 And again: when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says: »Let all the angels of God pay him homage.«
7 Of the angels he says: »He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.« (Psalm 104:4)
8 But he says to the Son: »God is your throne forever and ever. Your throne, Oh God-like one, is forever. : A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. (Psalm 45:6, 7)
9 »You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.«
10 And, You, Lord, in the beginning have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of your hands. (Psalm 102:25)
11 »They will perish but you remain. They will all grow old like a garment.
12 »Just as a coat you fold them up, and they will be changed: but you are the same, and your years will never run out.«
13 To which of the angels did he say at any time: »Sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool« ? (Psalm 110:1)
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for those who will be heirs of salvation?
1 Pay close attention to the things heard so we do not drift away.
2 If the word spoken through angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward penalty .
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first presented by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
4 God also testified about it with signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit given according to his will.
5 He did not subject the world to come that we speak about to the angels.
6 But a certain witness has given proof, saying: »What is man, that you are mindful of him? Or what is the son of man that you take care of him?
7 »You made him a little lower than the angels for a little while. Greek: brachus, short time (Psalm 8:4, 5) You crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands.
8 »You put all things in subjection under his feet.« You subjected all things to him and left nothing that is not subject to him. Now we do not see yet all things in subjection to him.
9 We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor for suffering death. By the grace of God he tasted death for every man.
10 It was appropriate that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, should bring many sons to glory, to make the Chief Agent of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11 Both he who sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all from one. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them »brothers«.
12 He says: »I will declare your name to my brothers; in the middle of the congregation I will sing praises to you.«
13 And again: »I will put my trust in him.« And again: »Behold, the children that Jehovah has given me.« (Isaiah 8:18)
14 Since the »children« are partakers of flesh and blood, he also took part of the same things, that through death he might destroy him that had the power to cause death, Satan the Devil.
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 He does not help the angels, but he helps the seed of Abraham.
17 This means that he had to become like his »brothers« in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, in order to offer a propitiatory sacrifice pay atonement to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 Since he has suffered and was tested in every way; he is able to help those who are being tested.
1 Holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus.
2 He was faithful to Him who appointed him, just as Moses was in His entire house.
3 He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses. This is because the builder of the house has more honor than the house.
4 Every house has a builder. God is the builder of all things.
5 Indeed Moses was faithful in His house, as a ministering servant, for a testimony of the things to be spoken afterwards.
6 Christ was faithful as a Son over Gods house. We are His house if we hold on to our courage confidence and rejoice speak boldly about our hope until the end.
7 The Holy Spirit says: »Today if you will hear his voice,
8 »do not harden your hearts and be stubborn like those who tested me in the day of temptation in the wilderness.
9 »Your forefathers examined inspected scrutinized me by proving testing me. And they saw my works for forty years.
10 »I was disgusted angry with this generation, and said: They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.
11 »So I swore in my anger: They will not enter into my rest.«
12 Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you develop a wicked heart lacking faith and turning away departing from the living God.
13 Encourage yourselves each day, as long as it is called »Today,« that none of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become companions partners with Christ if indeed we hold the beginning of our firm trust to the end.
15 Scripture says: »Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. Do not be stubborn like those who rebelled.«
16 Who were they who heard God and rebelled? All who came out of Egypt with Moses rebelled.
17 With whom was he disgusted for forty years? He was disgusted and angry with those who sinned and died in the desert.
18 Who did God swear would never enter his rest? He was talking about those who did not obey him.
19 We see that they could not enter in on account of a lack of faith unbelief disobedience .
1 While the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear that one of you might come up short and not enter.
2 Indeed, we have had good news presented to us. They also had it. But the word that was heard did not benefit them because they were not united in faith by what was heard.
3 We who believe enter into the rest. As God said: »I swore in my anger: They shall not enter into my rest.« Yet Gods works were completed from the foundation of the world.
4 Somewhere God said this about the seventh day: »God rested on the seventh day from all his works.«
5 Again: »They shall not enter into my rest.«
6 It remains for some to enter into it. Those who first received the good news did not enter in because they did not obey and lacked faith.
7 He determines a certain day by saying through David: »Today,« after so long a time; just as it was said before, »Today, if you will listen to his voice, do not harden your hearts.« (Psalm 95:7)
8 If Joshua had given them rest, he God would not have spoken afterwards about another day.
9 There remains then a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
10 He who enters into his rest also rests from his own works, just as God did from his.
11 Let us do our utmost to enter into that rest. Let no one fall into the same pattern of disobedience by not obeying the word.
12 The Word of God is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Ephesians 6:17) It separates the physical person from the spiritual person, of both joints and marrow. And it can discern judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (John 12:48)
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. All things are uncovered and laid bare before him. We must account to him. (Romans 2:16; Romans 14:12)
14 We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, so let us hold fast our confession.
15 We do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our infirmities weaknesses . He was tested in all things like ourselves. Yet he was without sin!
16 Let us approach the throne of grace loving-kindness with confidence, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for help in time of need.
1 Every high priest taken from among men is appointed in behalf of men in things relating to God. He may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to exercise compassion towards the ignorant and those going astray, since he is also subject to weakness.
3 That is why he must offer sacrifices, for his own and for the peoples sins.
4 No one takes this honor upon himself. He is called by God, even as Aaron was.
5 Also Christ did not glorify himself to be made a high priest. It was God who said to him: »You are my Son; I today have become your father.«
6 As he said in another place:« You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.«
7 In the days of his life on earth, when he Christ offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to the one who was able to save him out of death, and was heard because of his godly reverence. (Galatians 1:1) (Psalm 69:13)
8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
9 Being made perfect, he became the source cause channel conduit pathway facilitator of eternal salvation to all who obey him. (Psalm 3:8)
10 He was called by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
11 We have many things to say about him and it is hard to explain it to you, for you are dull of hearing slow to learn .
12 At this time you should be teachers. But you need someone to teach you again from the beginning the elementary truths from the Word of God. You need milk, not solid food.
13 Everyone who drinks milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to mature people. It belongs to those who by reason of use have their senses trained to know the difference between good and evil.
1 Therefore leaving the elementary truths of the doctrine of Christ let us move on to maturity. Let us not lay again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
2 We should not repeat the basic teachings about baptisms, and of the laying on of hands setting apart for holy tasks , and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 We will do this if God permits.
4 Those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the age to come,
6 if they shall fall away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. This is because they personally impale the Son of God again, and expose him to public shame.
7 The earth that drinks in the rain that comes upon it, and brings forth vegetation for those by whom it was cultivated, receives blessing from God.
8 That which bears thorns and briars is rejected, and is near to being cursed. It ends up being burned.
9 Even though we speak this way, beloved, we are convinced that you will have better things, things that belong to salvation.
10 For God is not unrighteous unjust to forget your work and the love you showed for his name. You ministered to the holy ones and continue to minister.
11 We desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope down to the end.
12 We desire that you are not lazy, but follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 When God made a promise to Abraham, he could swear by no one greater then himself, so he swore by himself.
14 He said: »I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.«
15 After waiting patiently, Abraham received the promise.
16 Men swear by someone greater then themselves: and an oath for confirmation to them puts an end to the problem.
17 When God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he confirmed it with an oath.
18 God did this to offer encouragement so we may rely on the hope offered to us. We have taken refuge in that hope and it is impossible for God to lie. These two things can never be changed.
19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of life. It is a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain.
20 That is where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
1 Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.
2 Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything to him. He was first of all, by translation of his name, »King of Righteousness,« and then he was also ruler of Salem, which means, »King of Peace.«
3 He was without father or mother or genealogy, and neither had beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he continues as a priest forever.
4 See how great he was! Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of the spoils.
5 The descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the Law to take tithes from the people. This is from their brothers, for these are descended from Abraham.
6 But this man does not have their genealogy. He received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 It is beyond dispute that the superior blesses the inferior.
8 In this instance mortal men receive tithes, in the other by the one of whom it is testified that he lives.
9 One might even say that Levi, the priest who takes the tenth from the people, gave his tenth through Abraham.
10 He was still in the loins of his ancestor not yet born when Melchizedek met him.
11 If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, for under it the people received the Law, what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, instead of one named after the order of Aaron?
12 The priesthood was changed, and therefore it is necessary to also change the Law.
13 The one about whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14 It is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
15 This is clear if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 He would become such, not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is announced: »You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.«
18 The former commandment was set aside because it was weak and useless.
19 The Law could not make anything perfect. A better hope has been provided through which we can draw near to God.
20 It was not without an oath. Others were made priest without any oath.
21 He became a priest with an oath when God said to him: »Jehovah has sworn and he will feel no regret, you are a priest forever.« (Psalm 110:4)
22 Jesus became the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 There have been many priests. This is because they have been prevented from continuing by death.
24 He continues forever and therefore has his priesthood without change.
25 He is able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he is always alive to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest as this was suitable for us. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and higher than the heavens.
27 He does not have a day-by-day need as the high priests do, first to offer up sacrifices for his own sins, then for those of the people. He sacrificed for sin once for all when he offered up himself.
28 The Law appoints men as high priests who have weakness. But the oath that came after the Law appointed the Son who is perfect forever.
1 Here is a summary of the things we are discussing: We have this kind of high priest. He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven.
2 He is a minister of the Holy Place and of the true Tabernacle, built by Jehovah and not man.
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. It is necessary to have something to offer.
4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law.
5 The work they do as priests is only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. It is the same as it was with Moses. When he was about to build the sacred tent, God told him: »Be sure to make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.«
6 Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry. The covenant that he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things.
7 If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would not have been a need for a second one.
8 God finds fault with his people and said to them: »The time is coming, says Jehovah, when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. (Jeremiah 31:31)
9 »It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them, and so I paid no attention to them.
10 »This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, said Jehovah: I will put my teachings laws in their mind, I will write them upon their hearts deep thought understanding . I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 31:32)
11 »They will not teach a neighbor or brother saying: »Know Jehovah.« All will know me from the little one among them to the great among them. (Hosea 2:20)
12 »I will forgive their wickedness and I will remember their sins no more.«
13 By calling this covenant »new,« he has made the first one old obsolete . That which grows old and aged will soon disappear.
1 The first covenant had ordinances for divine service, and an earthly sanctuary.
2 A tabernacle was set up. The first room was called »the Holy Place.« It contained the lamp stand and table and the consecrated bread.
3 Beyond the second curtain was a room called »the Most Holy Place.«
4 It had a golden incense burner. The Ark of the Covenant was completely covered with gold. It contained the golden pot that had the manna, and the rod of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tables of the covenant.
5 The cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy seat were above the Ark. Now is not the time to speak in detail.
6 When these things are prepared, the priests enter the outer room often to carry on their services.
7 Only the high priest enters the inner room. Once a year he entered with blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.
8 The Holy Spirit revealed that the way into the Most Holy Place was not open while the tent was still in use.
9 This is a symbol that points to the present time. It means that the offerings and animal sacrifices presented to God cannot make the worshipers heart perfect,
10 since they have to do only with food, drink, and various purification ceremonies. These are all outward rules, which apply only until the time comes to change them for something better.
11 Christ came as the high priest of the good things that are now here. He also went into a much better tent that is not made by humans and does not belong to this creation.
12 He went once and forever into the Most Holy Place having eternal salvation. It is not with the blood of goats and young bulls, but with his blood.
13 The blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes from the burning of a young cow, sprinkled on the unclean made them outwardly clean.
14 The blood of Christ did even more. Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself without blemish to God and cleansed your conscience from dead works. Now we can serve worship the living God.
15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant. A death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Those called may receive the promise of everlasting inheritance.
16 A will is used for a person who is dead. It becomes effective only when the person dies.
17 A will is in force after a person dies. Otherwise it is not in effect at all while the one who provided it lives.
18 The first covenant was dedicated with blood.
19 When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 He said: »This is the blood of the covenant that God has presented to you.«
21 He sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of service.
22 Almost all things are by the Law purified with blood. There is no forgiveness unless blood is poured out.
23 It was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these. But the heavenly things should be cleansed with better sacrifices than these.
24 Christ has not entered into the Holy Place made with human hands. This is a copy of the true one. He has entered into heaven to appear before the presence of God for us.
25 Neither should he offer himself as the high priest enters into the Holy Place every year with blood of others.
26 Otherwise he would have to suffer often from the founding of the world. He has presented himself once at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 It is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. He will appear the second time without sin to those who look to him for their salvation.
1 The Law is a shadow of the good things to come. It is not the actual things. The continual yearly sacrifices can never make those who worship perfect.
2 If it could, it would cease to be offered. Once the worshipers were cleansed they would have no awareness of sin anymore.
3 These sacrifices are an annual reminder of sin.
4 It is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins.
5 When Christ came into the world he said: »Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but you have prepared a body for me.
6 »You have no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
7 »Then I said: I have come in the scroll of the book. It is written about me, to do your will, O God.«
8 Then he said: »You did not want nor did you approve of sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin;« which are offered by the Law.
9 He also said: »I come to do your will, O God.« He takes away the first in order to establish the second.
10 We are sanctified by his »will« through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Every priest stands daily, serving and offering time after time the same sacrifices. Yet they can never take away sins.
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13 waiting until his enemies are placed as a stool for his feet.
14 With one offering he has perfected those who are sanctified forever.
15 The Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after that he said:
16 »This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says Jehovah; I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds will I write them. (Jeremiah 31:33)
17 »I will not remember their sins and unrighteousness.«
18 Where there is forgiveness for these, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way, which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21 having a high priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.
24 Let us consider one another to encourage love and good works:
25 Not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and even more, as you see the day approaching.
26 If we continue to practice deliberately persist in sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins.
27 But there remains a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fiery indignation, which will devour Gods enemies.
28 He that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses.
29 What about those who despise the Son of God? Those who treat as a cheap thing the blood of Gods covenant that purified them from sin? Those who insult the Spirit of grace? Think how much worse the punishment they deserve will be!
30 We know who said: »Vengeance is mine; I will repay« ; and who also said, »Jehovah will judge his people.« (Deuteronomy 32:35)
31 It is a dreadful terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember the former days in which, after being enlightened, you endured great struggle with afflictions.
33 You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated. Other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way.
34 You shared the sufferings of prisoners. When all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly. This is because you knew that you possessed something much better, which would last forever.
35 Do not lose your courage confidence boldness . It brings a great reward with it.
36 You need to persevere in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises.
37 »In just a little while, he who is coming will come. He will not delay!«
38 »My righteous people will live by faith. If any of them turn back, I will not be pleased with them.«
39 We are not people who turn back and are destroyed. Instead, we have faith and are saved.
1 Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.
2 God approved of the men of old because of their faith.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God. The visible has been made out of things that were not visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Through this he was commended as righteous. God testified about his gifts. Thus through faith he still speaks even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was moved transferred removed so that he would not see death. He was not found, because God had moved him away. Before he was moved away he saw that he had pleased God well. (Genesis 5:24)
6 Without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe that he is and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not seen as yet, moved with godly respect. He prepared an ark to save his house. By his faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.
8 By faith, when Abraham was called, he obeyed. He went to a place that he was to receive for an inheritance. He went even though he did not know where he was going.
9 By faith he became an alien in the Promised Land. It was not his land. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob. They were heirs with him of the same promise.
10 He looked for the city having real foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 By faith Sarah received strength to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who promised.
12 This was to come from one man and him as good as dead. There were born children, as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as uncountable as the sand by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 Those who say such things declare that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they came, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Because of this, God is not ashamed to be called their God. He has prepared a city for them!
17 By faith Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. He that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only-begotten son!
18 It was said: »In Isaac your descendants will be called.«
19 Abraham reasoned that God is able to raise him from the dead. So he figured he would receive him back.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph. He worshipped while leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, mentioned the departure of the children of Israel. Then he gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents. They saw he was a beautiful child and they were not afraid of the kings edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter.
25 He chose to share the bad treatment with the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. He looked intently respectfully for the payment of the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king. He endured, by seeing him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. The Egyptians tried and were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the disobedient, after she welcomed the spies in peace.
32 What more shall I say? For the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, affected righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, and turned to flight foreign armies.
35 Women received their dead by a resurrection, and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging and bonds and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.
38 The world was not worthy of them! They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, did not receive the promise.
40 God provided something better for us that they might not be made perfect without us.
1 A great cloud of witnesses surround us. Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that easily entangles us. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
2 Look to consider without distractions Jesus, the Leader Predecessor and Finisher Perfecter of our faith. He despised the shame. He endured the stake for the joy that was set before him. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such contrary talk by sinners against him. You should not get tired and give up in your mind heart .
4 You have not yet resisted by shedding blood in your striving against sin.
5 You have forgotten the exhortation that reasons with you as to sons: »My son, do not despise regard lightly discipline from Jehovah and do not lose heart when he corrects you. (Proverbs 3:11, 12)
6 »Jehovah disciplines those he loves. In fact he scourges every son child he receives.«
7 God deals with you like children. Endure discipline instruction training . Who is the child whom a father does not discipline?
8 If you are without discipline, you are illegitimate children, and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh that corrected us, and we gave them respect. Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 They disciplined us for a few days for their own pleasure. He disciplines for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no discipline for the present seems to be joyous. In fact it seems grievous! Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained.
12 Lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees.
13 Make straight paths for your feet. Let that which is lame be turned out of the way, but rather let it be healed.
14 Pursue peace and holiness with all people, for no man will see the Lord without it.
15 See that no one misses the grace of God; that no bitter root spring up to cause trouble and defile many.
16 Let no one become immoral or unspiritual like Esau. He sold his birthright for a single meal!
17 Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive inherit his fathers blessing. He was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done. He was in tears when he looked for it.
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the darkness and the gloom, the storm.
19 You have not come to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of a voice. When the people heard the voice, they begged not to hear another word.
20 They could not bear the order: »If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.«
21 The sight was so terrible formidable fearful that Moses said: »I am full of fear and trembling.«
22 You have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads thousands of thousands of angels,
23 to the general assembly and congregation of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just righteous holy men made perfect mature having all needed qualities .
24 You have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks in a better way than the blood of Abel.
25 Be careful, then, and do not refuse to hear him who speaks. Those who refused to hear the one who gave the divine message on earth did not escape. How much less shall we escape then, if we turn away from the one who speaks from heaven!
26 His voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised: »I will once more shake not only the earth but also heaven.«
27 The words »once more« plainly show that the created things will be shaken and removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain.
28 Let us be thankful, because we will receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship serve intensely adore God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe.
29 Our God is a destroying consuming fire.
1 You should continue to love one another as brothers.
2 Show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.
4 Let marriage be honorable among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled: for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.
5 You should be free from the love of money. Be content with what you have, for he has said: »I will not leave you. I will not forsake you.«
6 So that with good confidence courage we say: »Jehovah is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do to me?« (Psalm 56:11)
7 Remember those who are taking the lead among you, men that spoke the Word of God to you. Consider their behavior and imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by varied different and strange teachings. It is good that the heart is established by grace and not by food. Those who are occupied by them are not benefited.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
12 Jesus suffered outside the gate that he might sanctify the people through his own blood.
13 Let us therefore go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 We do not have a city that continues. We seek after the city that is to come.
15 Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God through him Jesus , that is, the fruit of lips that make confession give thanks and offer praise to his name.
16 Do not forget neglect to do good and to communicate fellowship share , for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey those who lead you. Submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your lives and must account for this. Obey them that their work may be a joy and not a burden; that would be without gain for you.
18 Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience. And we wish to live honorably in all things.
19 I exhort you the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,
21 make you perfect mature in every good thing. May you do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 I urge you, brothers, bear with the word of exhortation. I have written to you in few words.
23 Do you know that brother Timothy has been released? If he comes shortly, I will see you.
24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the holy ones. They in Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.