UNTO THE HEBREWS
[1] :GOD, having spoken of old to the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, [2] hath at the end of these :days spoken to us in a Son, whom he appointed heir of all, through whom also he made the ages; [3] who being the effulgence of his :glory, and the very image1 of his :substance, and upholding2 :all things by the word of his :power, when he had made purification of :sins, sat down on the right of the Majesty on high;3 [4] having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more superior name than they.
[5] For to which of the angels said he ever,
Thou art my Son,
To-day have I begotten thee?
and again,
I will be to him a Father,
And he shall be to me a Son?
[6] And4 when he again bringeth5 in the firstborn into the inhabited earth he saith, And let all angels of God worship him.
[7] And of the angels he saith,
Who maketh his :angels spirits,
And his :ministers a flame of fire:
[8] but of the Son he saith,
Thy :throne, O :God, is unto the age of the age;
And the sceptre of :uprightness is sceptre of his kingdom.
[9] Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness;
Therefore :God, thy :God, hath anointed thee
With oil of gladness above thy :fellows.
[10] And,
Thou, Lord, in the beginnings didst found the earth,
And the heavens are works of thy :hands:
[11]They shall perish; (but thou continuest:)
And shall all wax old as a garment;
[12]And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up,
As a garment, and6 they shall be changed:
But thou art the same,
And thy :years shall not fail.
[13] But of which of the angels hath he ever said,
Sit thou on my right hand,
Till I make thine :enemies footstool of thy :feet?
[14] Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?
[1] Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things heard, lest haply we drift away from them. [2] For if the word spoken through angels proved firm and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; [3] how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; [4] :God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and manifold powers, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to his :will.
[5] For not to angels did he subject the inhabited earth to come, whereof we speak.
[6] But one hath somewhere testified, saying,
What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
[7]Thou madest him a1 little lower than angels;
Thou crownedst him with glory and honor,
And didst set him over the works of thy :hands:
[8]Thou didst subject all things under his :feet.
For in that he subjected :all things to him, he left nothing not subject to him. But now we see not yet :all things subjected to him.
[9] But we behold him who hath been made a1 little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of :death crowned with glory and honor, that by grace of God he should taste of death for every man.
[10] For it became him, for whom are :all things, and through whom are :all things, in2 bringing many sons unto glory, to perfect the author3 of their :salvation through sufferings.
[11] For both who sanctifieth and who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
[12] saying,
I will declare thy :name to my :brethren,
In midst of the congregation4 will I sing thy praise.
[13] And again, I will be trusting in him. And again, Lo, I and the children whom :God hath given me. [14] Since then the children are sharers in blood and flesh, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through :death he might5 bring to nought him that had6 the power of :death, that is, the devil; [15] and might5 deliver all them who from fear of death were all their :lifetime subject to bondage. [16] For7 verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham. [17] Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to :God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. [18] For8 wherein he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to help those tempted.
[1] Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our :confession, even Jesus;
[2] who was faithful to him that appointed1 him, as also was Moses in all his2 :house.
[3] For he hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built3 the house4 hath more honor than the house.
[4] For every house is builded3 by some one; but who built3 all things is God.
[5] And Moses indeed was faithful in all his2 :house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken;
[6] but Christ as a son, over his2 :house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the boldness and the glorying of the hope firm unto the end.
[7] Wherefore, even as the Holy :Spirit saith,
To-day if ye shall hear his :voice,
[8] Harden not your :hearts, as in the provocation,
Like as the day of the trial in the wilderness,
[9] Where5 your :fathers tried me by proving me,
And saw my :works forty years,
[10]Wherefore I was displeased with this :generation,
And said, They always err at heart:
But they did not know my :ways;
[11]As6 I sware in my :wrath,
They7 shall not enter into my :rest.
[12] Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in :falling away from a living God:
[13] but exhort one another each day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by deceitfulness of :sin:
[14] for we are become partakers of8 the Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our :confidence firm unto the end:
[15] while it is said,
To-day if ye shall hear his :voice,
Harden not your :hearts, as in the provocation.
[16] For who, when they heard, did provoke? nay, did not all that came out of Egypt by Moses? [17] And with whom was he displeased forty years? was it not with them that sinned, whose bodies9 fell in the wilderness? [18] And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his :rest, but to the disobedient? [19] And we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.
[1] Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his :rest, any one of you should seem to have come short.
[2] For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of :hearing did not profit them, because they were not united by :faith with them that heard.
[3] For we who have believed do enter into the rest; even as he hath said,
As1 I sware in my :wrath,
They2 shall not enter into my :rest:
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
[4] For he hath said somewhere of the seventh day thus, And :God rested on the seventh :day from all his :works;
[5] and in this place again,
They2 shall not enter into my :rest.
[6] Since therefore it remaineth that some enter thereinto, and they to whom good tidings were before preached entered not in because of disobedience,
[7] he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time after (even as hath been said before),
To-day if ye shall hear his :voice,
Harden not your :hearts.
[8] For if Joshua3 had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. [9] There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of :God. [10] For who is entered into :his rest hath himself also rested from his :work, as :God did from his :own. [11] Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that :rest, that no one fall after4 the same example of :disobedience. [12] For living is the word of :God, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern thoughts and intents of heart. [13] And there is no creature not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.5
[14] Having therefore a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of :God, let us hold fast the confession. [15] For we have not a high priest that cannot sympathize with our :infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of :grace, that we receive mercy, and find grace to help us in time of need.
[1] For every high priest, being taken from men, is appointed for men in things :pertaining to :God, that he offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
[2] who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, since he himself also is compassed with infirmity;
[3] and by it is bound, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
[4] And no one taketh the honor unto himself, but when called of :God, even as also was Aaron.
[5] So :Christ also glorified not himself to become high priest, but who spake unto him,
Thou art my Son,
I to-day have begotten thee:
[6] as he saith also in another place,
Thou art priest unto the age
After the order of Melchizedek.
[7] Who in the days of his :flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from1 death, and having been heard for his :godly fear, [8] though he was a Son, yet learned :obedience by what he suffered; [9] and, perfected, he became unto all them that obey him the cause of eternal salvation; [10] named of :God high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
[11] Of whom2 we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, since ye are become dull of :hearing. [12] For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that3 some one teach you the rudiments of the beginning of the oracles of :God; and are become such as have need of milk, not of solid food. [13] For every one that partaketh of milk is without4 experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. [14] But :solid food is for full-grown5 men, even those who by reason of :use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
[1] Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us be borne on unto the perfection;1 not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,— [2] the teaching of baptisms,2 and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [3] And this will we do, if :God permit. [4] For as to those who were once enlightened and3 tasted of the heavenly :gift, and became partakers of the Holy Spirit, [5] and tasted4 the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, [6] and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing5 they crucify to themselves the Son of :God afresh, and put him to an open shame. [7] For land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from :God: [8] but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is disapproved and nigh a curse; whose :end is to be burned.
[9] But, beloved, we are persuaded :better things of you, and things that accompany6 salvation, even if we thus speak: [10] for :God is not unrighteous to forget your :work and the love which ye showed toward his :name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister. [11] And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence unto the fulness7 of the hope even to the end: [12] that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
[13] For when :God made promise to :Abraham, since he had none greater to swear by, he sware by himself, [14] saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. [15] And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. [16] For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. [17] Wherein :God, being minded to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his :counsel, interposed8 with an oath; [18] that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement,9 who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: [19] which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and firm and entering into what is within the veil; [20] whither as forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest unto the age after the order of Melchizedek.
[1] For this :Melchizedek, king of Salēm, priest of :God :Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, [2] to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; [3] without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of :God), abideth a priest :continually.
[4] Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils. [5] And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest's office have commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their :brethren, though these have come out of the loin of Abraham: [6] but he whose genealogy is not counted from them hath taken tithes of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises. [7] But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better. [8] And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. [9] And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, hath paid tithes; [10] for he was yet in the loin of his :father, when Melchizedek met him.
[11] Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need that another priest arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?
[12] For the priesthood being changed, of necessity a change is made also of the law.
[13] For he of whom these things are said belongeth1 to another tribe, from which no one hath given attendance at the altar.
[14] For it is evident that our :Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests.
[15] And this is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek another priest ariseth,
[16] who hath been made, not after a law of carnal commandment, but after the power of a life indissoluble:
[17] for it is witnessed, that
Thou art priest unto the age
After the order of Melchizedek.
[18] For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its :weakness and unprofitableness
[19] (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh to :God.
[20] And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath
[21] (for they indeed have become priests without an oath; but he with an oath through him that saith unto him,
The Lord sware and will not repent himself,
Thou art a priest unto the age;)
[22] by so much also hath Jesus become surety of a better covenant. [23] And they indeed have become priests more in number, because that by :death they are hindered from continuing on: [24] but he, because he continueth unto the age, hath2 his :priesthood unchangeable.3 [25] Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost4 them that come nigh unto :God through him, he ever living to make intercession for them.
[26] For such a high priest also became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from :sinners, and become higher than the heavens; [27] who hath no need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own :sins, and then for those of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. [28] For the law appointeth as high priests men having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected unto the age.
[1] Now1 in2 the things we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
[2] a minister of the holies, and of the true :tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
[3] For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this one also have somewhat to offer.
[4] Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to law;
[5] who serve what is a copy and shadow of the heavenlies, even as Moses when about to make3 the tabernacle is warned: for, See, saith he, thou make all things according to the pattern :shown thee in the mount.
[6] But now hath he obtained a ministry the more superior, by so much as he is also mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
[7] For if that :first had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second.
[8] For finding fault with them, he saith,
Lo, days come, saith the Lord,
That I will accomplish a new covenant over the house of Israel and over the house of Judah;
[9]Not according to the covenant that I made for their :fathers
In the day that I took them by their :hands to lead them forth out of Egypt land:
For they continued not in my :covenant,
And I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
[10]For this is the covenant that I will covenant for the house of Israel
After those :days, saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their :mind,
And on their heart4 also will I write them:
And I will be to them a God,
And they shall be to me a people:
[11]And they shall not teach every one his :fellow-citizen,
And every one his :brother, saying, Know the Lord:
For all shall know me,
From the least to the greatest of them.
[12]For I will be merciful to their :iniquities,
And their :sins will I remember no more.
[13] In that he saith, A new, he hath made old the first. But what becometh old, yea aged, is nigh vanishing away.
[1] Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary :of this world. [2] For a tabernacle was prepared, the first, wherein are the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread;1 which is called the Holies. [3] And after the second veil, the tabernacle called Holies of holies; [4] having a golden altar2 of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid everywhere with gold, wherein is a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's :rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; [5] and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat;3 of which things one cannot now speak severally. [6] Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; [7] but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the ignorances of the people: [8] the Holy :Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; [9] which is a figure4 for the present :season; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as to conscience, make the worshipper perfect, [10] being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings)5 carnal ordinances, imposed until a season of reformation.
[11] But Christ having come a high priest of the good things that are come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this :creation, [12] nor yet through blood of goats and calves, but through his own :blood, entered once for all into the holies, having obtained eternal redemption. [13] For if the blood of goats and bulls, and ashes of a heifer sprinkling the defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: [14] how much more shall the blood of the Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to :God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve a living God? [15] And for this cause he is mediator of a new covenant,6 that a death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions :under the first covenant,6 those called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. [16] For where a testament6 is, there must of necessity7 be death of him that made it. [17] For a testament6 is of force over the dead: for8 it doth not then avail when he that made it liveth. [18] Hence even the first covenant hath not been dedicated without blood. [19] For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to the whole people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and the whole people, [20] saying, This is the blood of the covenant6 which :God commanded you-ward. [21] Moreover the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled likewise with the blood. [22] And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood is no remission.
[23] It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens be cleansed with these; but the heavenlies themselves with better sacrifices than these. [24] For Christ entered not into holies made with hands, antitypes of the true; but into the very heaven, now to appear before the face of :God for us: [25] nor yet that he offer himself oft, as the high priest entereth into the holies yearly with blood not his own; [26] else must he oft have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once at the consummation of the ages hath he been manifested to put away :sin by9 the sacrifice of himself. [27] And inasmuch as it is laid up for :men once to die, and after this—judgment; [28] so the Christ also, having been once offered to :bear sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.
[1] For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, they can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.
[2] Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshipper having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
[3] But in these sacrifices remembrance is made of sins year by year.
[4] For it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith,
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not,
But a body didst thou prepare me;
[6]In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure:
[7]Then said I, Lo, I am come
(In the roll of the book it is written of me)
:To do thy :will, O :God.
[8] Saying above that, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law), [9] then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy :will. He taketh away the first, that he may stablish the second. [10] By1 which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [11] And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering and offering oft the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: [12] but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of :God; [13] henceforth expecting till his :enemies be made footstool of his :feet. [14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever those being sanctified. [15] And the Holy :Spirit also beareth witness to us; for after :he hath said,
[16]This is the covenant that I2 will make with them
After those :days, saith the Lord:
I will put my laws on their heart,3
Upon their :mind also will I write them;
then saith he,
[17]And their :sins and their :iniquities will I remember no more.
[18] Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holies by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way, which he dedicated for us, through the veil, that is, his :flesh; [21] and having a great priest over the house of :God; [22] let us come nigh with a true heart in fulness1 of faith, having our :hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience:2 and having our :body washed with pure water, [23] let us hold fast the unwavering confession of the hope, for faithful is he that promised: [24] and let us consider one another unto provoking of love and good works; [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is a custom of some, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.
[26] For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no more sacrifice remaineth for sins, [27] but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness3 of fire which shall devour the adversaries. [28] One that hath set at nought Moses' law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: [29] of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of :God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified a common thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of :grace? [30] For we know him that said, Vengeance is mine, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his :people. [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
[32] But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; [33] partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used. [34] For ye both sympathised with those in bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your :possessions, knowing that ye have your selves for a better possession and an abiding one. [35] Cast not away therefore your :boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience,4 that, having done the will of :God, ye may receive the promise.
[37]For yet a very little while,
Who cometh shall come, and shall not tarry.
[38]But my righteous one shall live from faith:
And if he shrink back, my :soul hath no pleasure in him.
[39] But we are not of5 them that shrink back unto destruction; but of them that have faith unto the saving6 of the soul.
[1] Now faith is assurance1 of things hoped for, a conviction2 of things not seen. [2] For therein the elders had witness borne them.
[3] By faith we understand that the ages have been framed by God's word, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear. [4] By faith Abel offered unto :God a sacrifice superior to Cain, through which he had witness borne him that he was righteous, :God bearing witness over his :gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. [5] By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because :God translated him; for3 he hath had witness borne him that before his :translation he had been well-pleasing to :God: [6] and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing; for who cometh to :God must believe that he is, and that he is rewarder of them that seek after him. [7] By faith Noah, warned concerning things not :seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his :house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. [8] By faith Abraham, when called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for inheritance, and went out, not knowing whither he was going. [9] By faith he became sojourner in the land of :promise, as in one not his own, dwelling4 in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow-heirs of the same :promise: [10] for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder5 and maker is :God. [11] By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed, when past her season,6 since she counted him faithful who had promised: [12] wherefore also there were begotten of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of :heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the shore of the sea, :innumerable.
[13] These all died according to faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. [14] For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. [15] And if indeed they had been mindful of that from which they went out, they would have had opportunity7 to return. [16] But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly: wherefore :God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared them a city.
[17] By faith Abraham, being tried, hath offered up :Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; [18] he unto1 whom it was said that, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: [19] accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure2 receive him back. [20] By faith Isaac blessed :Jacob and :Esau, even concerning things to come. [21] By faith dying Jacob blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his :staff. [22] By faith Joseph, at his end, made mention of the departure of the sons of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his :bones. [23] By faith Moses, when born, was hid three months by his :parents, because they saw the child was goodly; and they were not afraid of the king's :commandment. [24] By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called son of Pharaoh's daughter; [25] choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of :God, than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season; [26] accounting the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. [27] By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. [28] By faith he instituted3 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 by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do were swallowed up. [30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, compassed about for seven days. [31] By faith Raab the harlot perished not with the disobedient, having received the spies with peace.
[32] And what more shall I say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideōn, Barak, Sampsōn, Jephthæ; and of David and Samuel and the prophets: [33] who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped mouths of lions, [34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge4 of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. [35] Women received their :dead by resurrection: and others were tortured,5 not accepting their deliverance,6 that they might obtain a better resurrection: [36] And others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: [37] they were stoned, were tempted, sawn asunder, slain7 with the sword: went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; destitute, afflicted, illtreated [38] (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.
[39] And these all, having had witness borne them through their faith, received not the promise, [40] :God having foreseen something better concerning us, that apart from us they be not made perfect.
[1] Therefore, let us also, seeing1 we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight,2 and the sin besetting3 so easily, and let us run with patience4 the race set before us,
[2] looking unto Jesus the author5 and perfecter of our :faith, who for the joy set before him endured a cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of :God.
[3] For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of :sinners against themselves that ye weary not, fainting in your :souls.
[4] Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against :sin:
[5] and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons,
My son, regard not lightly chastening of the Lord,
Nor faint when reproved of him;
[6]For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,
And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
[7] It is6 for chastening that ye endure; :God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father chasteneth not? [8] But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. [9] Furthermore, we had the fathers of our :flesh as chasteners, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of our :spirits, and live? [10] For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for :profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. [11] Now all chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward yieldeth peaceable fruit to those exercised thereby, fruit of righteousness. [12] Wherefore straighten the hanging down hands, and the palsied knees; [13] and make straight paths for your :feet, that what is lame be not turned7 out of the way, but rather be healed.
[14] Follow after peace with all, and the sanctification without which no one shall see the Lord: [15] looking carefully8 lest9 there be any that falleth10 short of the grace of :God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled; [16] lest9 there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own :birthrights. [17] For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was disapproved;11 for he found no place for a change of mind in his father, though he sought it diligently with tears.
[18] For ye are not come to a mount12 that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and tempest, [19] and sound of a trumpet, and voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more be spoken to them; [20] for they could not endure what was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; [21] and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: [22] but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of a living God, heavenly Jerusalem, and13 to myriads of angels, [23] a general assembly and church14 of firstborn enrolled in the heavens, and to God, Judge of all, and to spirits of just men perfected, [24] and to Jesus, mediator of a new covenant, and to blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than :Abel. [25] See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned on earth, much less shall we escape who turn away from him that is from the heavens: [26] whose :voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven. [27] And this, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of the things shaken, as of things made, that those not shaken may remain. [28] Wherefore, receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us have grace,15 whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to :God with godly fear and awe: [29] For even our :God is a consuming fire.
[1] Let love of the brethren continue.
[2] Forget not the love of strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
[3] Remember those in bonds, as bound with them; the ill-treated as being yourselves also in the body.
[4] Let marriage be had in honor among all, and the bed undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers :God will judge.
[5] Let your :turn of mind be free from love of money, content with what things ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
[6] So that with good courage we say,
The Lord is my helper; I will not fear:
What shall man do to me?
[7] Remember those ruling over you, men that spake to you the word of :God; and considering the outcome of their behavior, imitate their faith.
[8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to-day, and unto the ages. [9] Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be stablished by grace; not by meats, wherein they that walked were not profited. [10] We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat that serve the tabernacle. [11] For the bodies of those beasts whose :blood is brought into the holies through the high priest as offering for sin, are burned without the camp. [12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own :blood, suffered without the gate. [13] Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his :reproach. [14] For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the one to come. [15] Through him let us offer up sacrifice of praise to :God continually, that is, the fruit of lips confessing to his :name. [16] But forget not well-doing and fellowship: for with such sacrifices :God is well pleased. [17] Obey those ruling over you, and submit: for they watch in behalf of your :souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning: for this is unprofitable for you.
[18] Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to behave honorably in all things. [19] And I exhort the more exceedingly to do this, that I be restored to you the sooner.
[20] Now the God of :peace, who brought again from the dead the great :shepherd of the sheep in blood of an eternal covenant, even our :Lord Jesus, [21] perfect you in every good to do his :will, working in us what is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom the glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
[22] But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of :exhortation: for I have written you in few words.
[23] Know that our :brother Timothy hath been set free; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
[24] Salute all them that are ruling over you, and all the saints. They of :Italy salute you.
[25] :Grace be with you all.