HEBREWS
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 -
6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 -
12 - 13
TOC
Maps
) Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various
ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3
He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being,
and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification
for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become
as much superior to 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"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's
angels worship him." 7 Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and
his servants flames of fire." 8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is
forever and ever, and the righteous scepter 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 gladness beyond your companions." 10 And, "In the
beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your
hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like
clothing; 12 like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be
changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end." 13 But to which
of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet"? 14 Are not all angels spirits in the divine service,
sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
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Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so
that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the message declared through angels
was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, 3
how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first
through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, 4 while God
added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of
the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will. 5 Now God did not subject
the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6 But someone has
testified somewhere, "What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or
mortals, that you care for them? 7 You have made them for a little while lower
than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, 8 subjecting all
things under their feet." Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing
outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to
them, 9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the
angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 It was fitting
that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children
to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.
For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12
saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of
the congregation I will praise you." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him."
And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me." 14 Since,
therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the
same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of
death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in
slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help
angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his
brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and
faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for
the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he
is able to help those who are being tested.
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Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly
calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2
was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also "was faithful in
all God's house." 3 Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the
builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is
built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was
faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be
spoken later. 6 Christ, however, was faithful over God's house as a son, and we
are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not
harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the
wilderness, 9 where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my
works 10 for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I
said, 'They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.'
11 As in my anger I swore, 'They will not enter my rest.'" 12 Take care,
brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that
turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as
it is called "today," so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness
of sin. 14 For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first
confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do
not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." 16 Now who were they who heard and
yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of
Moses? 17 But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned,
whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would
not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they
were unable to enter because of unbelief.
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Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open,
let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For
indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did
not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "As in my
anger I swore, 'They shall not enter my rest,'" though his works were finished
at the foundation of the world. 4 For in one place it speaks about the seventh
day as follows, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." 5 And
again in this place it says, "They shall not enter my rest." 6 Since therefore
it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good
news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he sets a certain day--"
today"--saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, "Today, if
you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them
rest, God would not speak later about another day. 9 So then, a sabbath rest
still remains for the people of God; 10 for those who enter God's rest also
cease from their labors as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore make every
effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as
theirs. 12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow;
it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him
no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to
whom we must render an account. 14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who
has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our
confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are,
yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of
things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for
sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he
himself is subject to weakness; 3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice
for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not presume
to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was
appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten
you"; 6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according
to the order of Melchizedek." 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up
prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to
save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and
having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who
obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order
of Melchizedek. 11 About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since
you have become dull in understanding. 12 For though by this time you ought to
be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the
oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; 13 for everyone who lives on
milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. 14 But
solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by
practice to distinguish good from evil.
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Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the
basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance
from dead works and faith toward God, 2 instruction about baptisms, laying on of
hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And we will do this, if
God permits. 4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who
have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared
in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the
powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, since on their own they
are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. 7 Ground
that drinks up the rain falling on it repeatedly, and that produces a crop
useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But
if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and on the verge of being
cursed; its end is to be burned over. 9 Even though we speak in this way,
beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to
salvation. 10 For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love
that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we
want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full
assurance of hope to the very end, 12 so that you may not become sluggish, but
imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 When
God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear,
he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you and multiply you." 15
And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. 16 Human
beings, of course, swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath given
as confirmation puts an end to all dispute. 17 In the same way, when God desired
to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character
of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable
things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken
refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have
this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner
shrine behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has
entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of
Melchizedek.
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This "King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met
Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him"; 2 and to
him Abraham apportioned "one-tenth of everything." His name, in the first place,
means "king of righteousness"; next he is also king of Salem, that is, "king of
peace." 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a
priest forever. 4 See how great he is! Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a
tenth of the spoils. 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly
office have a commandment in the law to collect tithes from the people, that is,
from their kindred, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this
man, who does not belong to their ancestry, collected tithes from Abraham and
blessed him who had received the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the
inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case, tithes are received by
those who are mortal; in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he
lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes
through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when
Melchizedek met him. 11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the
levitical priesthood--for the people received the law under this
priesthood--what further need would there have been to speak of another priest
arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the
order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is
necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 Now the one of whom these things are
spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the
altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in
connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 It is even more
obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, 16 one who has
become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent,
but through the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of him,
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." 18 There is,
on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak
and ineffectual 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other
hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God. 20 This
was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office
without an oath, 21 but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the
one who said to him, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are
a priest forever'"-- 22 accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a
better covenant. 23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because
they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his
priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently he is able
for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives
to make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting that we should have such a
high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted
above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer
sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the
people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law
appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the
oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect
forever.
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Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a
high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in
the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and
not any mortal, has set up. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts
and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to
offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there
are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They offer worship in a
sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one; for Moses, when he
was about to erect the tent, was warned, "See that you make everything according
to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." 6 But Jesus has now obtained
a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better
covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. 7 For if that first
covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second
one. 8 God finds fault with them when he says: "The days are surely coming, says
the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with
the house of Judah; 9 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors, on
the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for
they did not continue in my covenant, and so I had no concern for them, says the
Lord. 10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after
those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on
their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they
shall not teach one another or say to each other, 'Know the Lord,' for they
shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be
merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." 13 In
speaking of "a new covenant," he has made the first one obsolete. And what is
obsolete and growing old will soon disappear.
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Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an
earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were
the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy
Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. 4 In it
stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all
sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's
rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 above it were the cherubim
of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in
detail. 6 Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into
the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; 7 but only the high priest goes
into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that
he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people.
8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet
been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. 9 This is a symbol
of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot
perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink
and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to
set things right. 11 But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things
that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands,
that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place,
not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining
eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling
of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their
flesh is purified, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience
from dead works to worship the living God! 15 For this reason he is the mediator
of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal
inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the
transgressions under the first covenant. 16 Where a will is involved, the death
of the one who made it must be established. 17 For a will takes effect only at
death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. 18
Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when
every commandment had been told to all the people by Moses in accordance with
the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and
hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, 20 saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you." 21 And in the
same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in
worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and
without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. 23 Thus it was
necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these
rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these. 24
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the
true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high
priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26
for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the
world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to
remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for
mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28 so Christ, having been
offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal
with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
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Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come and
not the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that
are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who approach. 2
Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, since the worshipers,
cleansed once for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sin? 3 But in
these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. 4 For it is
impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently,
when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not
desired, but a body you have prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin
offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to
do your will, O God' (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)." 8 When he
said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and
offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to
the law), 9 then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the
first in order to establish the second. 10 And it is by God's will that we have
been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and
again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had
offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand
of God," 13 and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a
footstool for his feet." 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all
time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for
after saying, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them
on their minds," 17 he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless
deeds no more." 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any
offering for sin. 19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter
the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened
for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have a
great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and
our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our
hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us
consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to
meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the
more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we willfully persist in sin after
having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice
for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire that will
consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies
without mercy "on the testimony of two or three witnesses." 29 How much worse
punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of
God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and
outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said, "Vengeance is
mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall those
earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle
with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution,
and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion
for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your
possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more
lasting. 35 Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a
great reward. 36 For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of
God, you may receive what was promised. 37 For yet "in a very little while, the
one who is coming will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one will
live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back." 39 But we
are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have
faith and so are saved.
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Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction
of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By
faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that
what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 4 By faith Abel offered
to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received
approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but
through his faith he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not
experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was
attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God." 6 And without faith
it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that
he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, warned by God
about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his
household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the
righteousness that is in accordance with faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when
he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance;
and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time
in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did
Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked
forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11
By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old--and Sarah
herself was barren--because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12
Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born,
"as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the
seashore." 13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises,
but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were
strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in this way make
it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the
land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for
them. 17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had
received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18 of whom he had been
told, "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." 19 He
considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead--and
figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith Isaac invoked
blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying,
blessed each of the sons of Joseph, "bowing in worship over the top of his
staff." 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus
of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial. 23 By faith Moses was
hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that
the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By
faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's
daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than
to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the
Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking
ahead to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king's anger;
for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the
Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn
would not touch the firstborn of Israel. 29 By faith the people passed through
the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so
they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been
encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with
those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 32 And
what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson,
Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- 33 who through faith conquered
kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34
quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of
weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received
their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in
order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging,
and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned to death, they were sawn
in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and
goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented-- 38 of whom the world was not worthy.
They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39
Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what
was promised, 40 since God had provided something better so that they would not,
apart from us, be made perfect.
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so
closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has
taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who
endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow
weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to
the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that
addresses you as children-- "My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of
the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; 6 for the Lord disciplines
those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts." 7 Endure trials
for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is
there whom a parent does not discipline? 8 If you do not have that discipline in
which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. 9
Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should
we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he
disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 Now,
discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and
make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of
joint, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness
without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain
the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and
through it many become defiled. 16 See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an
immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 You
know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he
found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears. 18 You
have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness,
and gloom, and a tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words
made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could
not endure the order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it
shall be stoned to death." 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses
said, "I tremble with fear.") 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city
of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal
gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven,
and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that
speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse the
one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who
warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who
warns from heaven! 26 At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has
promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven."
27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken--that
is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by
which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for
indeed our God is a consuming fire.
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Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality
to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them;
those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4
Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept
undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free
from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I
will never leave you or forsake you." 6 So we can say with confidence, "The Lord
is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 7 Remember your
leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their
way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings;
for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations
about food, which have not benefited those who observe them. 10 We have an altar
from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the
bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high
priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus
also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own
blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured.
14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to
come. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to
God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do
good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls
and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing--for
that would be harmful to you. 18 Pray for us; we are sure that we have a clear
conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you all the more
to do this, so that I may be restored to you very soon. 20 Now may the God of
peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the
sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 make you complete in everything
good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his
sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 22 I
appeal to you, brothers and sisters, bear with my word of exhortation, for I
have written to you briefly. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has
been set free; and if he comes in time, he will be with me when I see you. 24
Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings.
25 Grace be with all of you.
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