Hebrews

Shaliah New Testament Translation

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Commentary | Interlinear | English

Hebrews 1

(1) In many portions and in many ways, God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets, (2) at the end of these days spoke to us in a son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ages — (3) who, being the radiance of the glory and the exact imprint of His substance, and bearing all things by the word of His power, having made purification of sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (4) having become as much better than the angels as the name he has inherited is more distinguished than theirs.

(5) For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son; today I have begotten you”? And again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to Me a son”? (6) And again, when He brings the firstborn into the inhabited world, He says, “And let all God’s angels pay homage to him.” (7) And of the angels He says, “He makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire”; (8) but of the Son: “Your throne, O God, is for the age of the age, and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. (9) You loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, anointed you with the oil of exultation beyond your partners.” (10) And, “At the beginnings, lord, you founded the earth, and the works of your hands are the heavens; (11) they will perish, but you remain; and they will all grow old like a garment, (12) and like a mantle you will roll them up; like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will not fail.” (13) And to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand until I place your enemies as a footstool for your feet”? (14) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent for service for the sake of those who are about to inherit salvation?

Hebrews 2

(1) Therefore it is necessary for us to pay much more careful attention to the things that have been heard, lest perhaps we drift away. (2) For if the word spoken through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, (3) how shall we escape, having neglected so great a salvation — which began to be spoken through the lord and was confirmed to us by the ones who heard, (4) God also bearing joint witness with signs and wonders and manifold powers, and with distributions of holy spirit according to His will?

(5) For He did not subject the coming inhabited world, about which we speak, to angels. (6) But someone testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him; or a son of man, that You care for him? (7) You made him a little lower than angels; with glory and honor You crowned him. (8) You subjected all things under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing unsubjected to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him; (9) but we see the one made a little lower than angels — Jesus — 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) For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to complete the pioneer of their salvation through sufferings. (11) For the one who consecrates and the ones being consecrated are all from one; for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers, (12) saying, “I will announce Your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” (13) And again, “I will trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God gave to me.” (14) Since therefore the children have shared in blood and flesh, he himself likewise partook of the same things, so that through death he might nullify the one who has the power of death — that is, the devil — (15) and might release all those who, by fear of death, were held in slavery throughout all their lives. (16) For surely he does not take hold of angels, but he takes hold of the seed of Abraham. (17) Therefore he was obligated to be made like his brothers in all things, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. (18) For in that which he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 3

(1) Therefore, holy brothers, partners of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, (2) being faithful to the one who appointed him, as also Moses was in all His house. (3) For this one has been deemed worthy of greater glory than Moses, by as much as the one who built the house has more honor than the house. (4) For every house is built by someone; but the one who built all things is God. (5) And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of the things that would be spoken; (6) but Christ was faithful as a son over His house — whose house we are, if indeed we hold fast the confidence and the boast of the hope.

(7) Therefore, just as the holy spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, (8) do not harden your hearts as in the provocation, in the day of testing in the wilderness, (9) where your fathers tested Me; they put Me to the proof and saw My works for forty years. (10) Therefore I was angry with this generation, and I said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they did not know My ways.’ (11) As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” (12) See, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in withdrawing from the living God; (13) but encourage one another each day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceit of sin. (14) For we have become partners of the Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of the substance firm until the end. (15) In that it is said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the provocation.” (16) For who, when they heard, provoked? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt through Moses? (17) And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? (18) And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, if not to those who disobeyed? (19) And we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4

(1) Let us therefore fear, while a promise of entering His rest remains, lest any of you seem to have come short. (2) For indeed we have had glad tidings announced, just as they also did; but the word of hearing did not profit them, since it was not fused with faith in the ones who heard. (3) For we who have believed enter the rest, just as He has said: “As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest’” — although the works had come to be from the foundation of the world. (4) For He has said somewhere about the seventh day thus: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.” (5) And in this place again: “They shall not enter My rest.” (6) Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had glad tidings announced did not enter because of disobedience, (7) again He marks out a certain day — “Today” — saying in David, after so long a time, just as it has been said before: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (8) For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken afterward about another day. (9) So then a sabbath-rest remains for the people of God. (10) For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, just as God rested from His own. (11) Let us therefore be eager to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same example of disobedience.

(12) For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (13) And no creation is unseen before Him; but all things are naked and laid bare to His eyes — to whom is our word.

(14) Therefore, having a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus, the son of God — let us hold fast the confession. (15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things in like manner, apart from sin. (16) Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for well-timed help.

Hebrews 5

(1) For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed on behalf of men in the things pertaining to God, so that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. (2) He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and the wandering, since he himself is also clothed with weakness, (3) and because of it he is obligated, just as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. (4) And no one takes the honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron also was. (5) So also the Christ did not glorify himself to become high priest, but the one who said to him, “You are My Son; today I have begotten you”; (6) just as also in another place He says, “You are a priest for the age according to the order of Melchizedek.” (7) In the days of his flesh, having offered up both petitions and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one able to save him from death, and having been heard because of his devout reverence — (8) although being a son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered; (9) and having been completed, 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) Concerning him, we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (12) For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you again need someone to teach you the first principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk, not solid food. (13) For everyone who partakes of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is an infant. (14) But solid food is for complete ones, for those who by practice have their faculties trained for distinguishing both good and evil.

Hebrews 6

(1) Therefore, having left the elementary message about the Christ, let us be carried on to completion, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, (2) of instruction about washings and of laying on of hands, of resurrection of dead ones and of eternal judgment. (3) And this we will do, if indeed God permits.

(4) For it is impossible, in the case of those who were once enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift and have become partners of holy spirit, (5) and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, (6) and then have fallen away, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying again for themselves the son of God and holding him up to contempt. (7) For land that drinks the rain that often comes upon it and produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is also cultivated, partakes of a blessing from God. (8) But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is disapproved and near to a curse, whose end is for burning.

(9) But we are persuaded of better things concerning you, beloved — things that hold to salvation — even though we speak in this way. (10) For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you showed toward His name, having served the holy ones and still serving them. (11) But we desire each of you to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of hope until the end, (12) so that you may not become dull, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(13) For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, (14) saying, “Surely indeed, blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” (15) And so, having been patient, he obtained the promise. (16) For men swear by the greater, and the oath is the end of every dispute for them, as a confirmation. (17) In this way God, desiring to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, mediated with an oath, (18) so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast the hope set before us, (19) which we have as an anchor of the soul, safe and firm, and entering into the inner side of the curtain, (20) where Jesus entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek for the age.

Hebrews 7

(1) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God the Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him — (2) to whom Abraham also apportioned a tenth of all things — first indeed being interpreted “king of righteousness,” and then also “king of Salem,” which is “king of peace” — (3) fatherless, motherless, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the son of God, he remains a priest for the age. (4) But observe how great this one was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils. (5) And indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command to exact tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although they have come out of the loins of Abraham; (6) but the one who does not trace his descent from them has tithed Abraham and has blessed the one who has the promises. (7) But beyond all dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater. (8) And here dying men receive tithes; but there, it is testified that he lives. (9) And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, the one who receives tithes, has been tithed, (10) for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

(11) So if completion were through the Levitical priesthood — for under it the people had received the law — what further need would there be for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? (12) For when the priesthood is transferred, of necessity a transfer of law also takes place. (13) For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has attended to the altar. (14) For it is plain that our lord has sprung from Judah, a tribe to which Moses said nothing about priests. (15) And it is still more abundantly evident, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, (16) who has become so not according to the law of a fleshly command, but according to the power of an indestructible life. (17) For it is testified: “You are a priest for the age according to the order of Melchizedek.” (18) For on the one hand, a going-before command is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness — (19) for the law completed nothing — and on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope is through which we draw near to God. (20) And in as much as it was not without an oath — for they indeed became priests without an oath, (21) but he with an oath through the one who said to him, “The Lord swore and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest for the age’” — (22) by so much Jesus has also become the guarantor of a better covenant. (23) And those indeed became many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing; (24) but he, because he continues for the age, has a permanent priesthood. (25) Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them. (26) For such a high priest indeed was fitting for us — holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens — (27) who has no daily necessity, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for those of the people; for this he did once for all, having offered up himself. (28) For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness; but the word of the oath-adjuration, which came after the law, appoints a son, completed for the age.

Hebrews 8

(1) Now the main point of the things being said is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, (2) a minister of the holy places and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. (3) For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. (4) So if he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, there being those who offer the gifts according to the law, (5) who perform cultic service at a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to complete the tabernacle; for, He says, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.” (6) But now he has obtained a more distinguished ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises.

(7) For if that first covenant had been blameless, no place would have been sought for a second. (8) For finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, and I will consummate with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant — (9) not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. (10) Because this is the covenant which I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: giving My laws into their mind, and upon their hearts I will inscribe them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. (11) And they will not teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because all will know Me, from the small to the great of them. (12) Because I will be merciful to their unrighteousnesses, and I will not remember their sins any longer.” (13) In saying “new,” He has made the first obsolete; but that which is becoming obsolete and growing old is near to vanishing.

Hebrews 9

(1) So the first covenant indeed had ordinances of cultic service and its holy place, a worldly sanctuary. (2) For a tabernacle was constructed: the first, in which were the lampstand and the table and the setting-forth of the loaves, which is called the Holy Place; (3) and after the second curtain, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, (4) having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered all around with gold, in which were a golden jar containing the manna, and the rod of Aaron that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; (5) and above it, cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat — about which things it is not now possible to speak in detail. (6) And these things having been thus constructed, the priests enter the first tabernacle continually, performing the cultic services; (7) but into the second, only the high priest, once a year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the ignorances of the people; (8) the holy spirit indicating this: the way into the holy places has not yet been made manifest while the first tabernacle still has standing. (9) Which is a parable for the present time, according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered that are not able, according to conscience, to complete the one performing cultic service, (10) only in foods and drinks and various washings and ordinances of the flesh, imposed until the time of correction.

(11) But Christ, having arrived as a high priest of the good things that have come — through the greater and more-perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation — (12) not even through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered once for all into the holy places, having found eternal redemption. (13) For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling those who have been defiled, consecrates for the cleanness of the flesh, (14) how much more will the blood of the Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself blameless to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, for the performing of cultic service to a living God? (15) And because of this, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, the ones having been called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (16) For where there is a covenant, it is necessary for the death of the one-having-covenanted to be brought in. (17) For a covenant is firm upon dead ones, since it never has force while the one-having-covenanted lives. (18) Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. (19) For when every command according to the law had been spoken by Moses to all the people, having taken the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, he sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, (20) saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded for you.” (21) And the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he likewise sprinkled with the blood. (22) And almost all things are cleansed with blood according to the law, and apart from blood-shedding there takes place no forgiveness.

(23) It was therefore necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (24) For the Christ did not enter into hand-made holy places, antitypes of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God on our behalf; (25) nor in order that he might offer himself often, like the high priest enters the holy places year by year with foreign blood; (26) since it would have been necessary for him to suffer often from the foundation of the world; but now, once, at the consummation of the ages, he has been made manifest for the abolition of sin through his sacrifice. (27) And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, (28) so also the Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, apart from sin, to those eagerly awaiting him, for salvation.

Hebrews 10

(1) For the law, having a shadow of the good things about to come, not the image itself of the things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year after year, complete the ones approaching. (2) Since then would they not have ceased being offered, because the ones performing cultic service, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any conscience of sins? (3) But in them there is a remembrance of sins year after year. (4) For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (5) Therefore, entering into the world, he says: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me; (6) in whole-burnt-offerings and concerning sin You took no pleasure. (7) Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come — in the scroll of the book it has been written about Me — to do, O God, Your will.’” (8) Above, saying that “sacrifices and offerings and whole-burnt-offerings and concerning sin You did not desire, nor took pleasure in” — which are offered according to the law — (9) then He has said: “Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first, in order that He may establish the second. (10) In this will we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

(11) And every priest indeed stands daily, performing the ministry and offering often the same sacrifices, which are never able to remove sins. (12) But this one, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down at the right hand of God for the age, (13) awaiting the remaining time until His enemies are placed as a footstool for his feet. (14) For by one offering he has completed forever the ones being consecrated. (15) And the holy spirit also testifies to us; for after saying: (16) “This is the covenant which I will covenant with them after those days, says the Lord: giving My laws upon their hearts, and upon their mind I will inscribe them,” (17) “and their sins and their lawlessnesses I will not remember anymore.” (18) But where forgiveness of these is, there is no longer an offering concerning sin.

(19) Therefore, brothers, having confidence for the entrance of the holy places by the blood of Jesus, (20) which He inaugurated for us — a new and living way — through the curtain, that is, his flesh, (21) and a great priest over the house of God, (22) let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having been sprinkled in our hearts from an evil conscience and having washed our body with pure water; (23) let us hold fast the confession of the hope unswerving, for the one who promised is faithful; (24) and let us consider one another for the provocation of love and good works, (25) not forsaking the gathering of yourselves, just as the custom of some is, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

(26) For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice concerning sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a zeal of fire about to devour the opponents. (28) Anyone who set aside the law of Moses dies without mercies on the basis of two or three witnesses. (29) By how much do you think the one who trampled the son of God, and counted the blood of the covenant — by which he was consecrated — a common thing, and insulted the spirit of grace, will be deemed worthy of harsher punishment? (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 remember the former days, in which, having been enlightened, you endured a great contest of sufferings, (33) on the one hand being made a spectacle by reproaches and tribulations, and on the other hand having become partners of those who are conducting themselves in the same way; (34) for you also sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the seizure of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better possession and a remaining one. (35) Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (36) For you have need of endurance, so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and the coming one will arrive and will not delay. (38) But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, my soul takes no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of shrinking back to destruction, but of faith to the preservation of the soul.

Hebrews 11

(1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (2) For by this the elders were testified. (3) By faith we understand the ages to have been fitted by the word of God, so that what is seen did not come to be from things that appear.

(4) By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying over his gifts; and through it, having died, he still speaks. (5) By faith Enoch was translated so as not to see death, and he was not found, because God translated him; for before the translation he has been testified to have been pleasing to God. (6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for it is necessary for the one approaching God to believe that He is, and that He becomes a rewarder of the ones seeking Him out. (7) By faith Noah, having been divinely warned about things not yet seen, having become reverent, constructed an ark for the salvation of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness according to faith. (8) By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed, to go out into a place which he was about to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he is going. (9) By faith he sojourned in the land of the promise as a foreign land, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. (10) For he was awaiting the city having foundations, whose artisan and builder is God. (11) By faith also Sarah herself, being barren, received power to conceive seed, even though she was past the age, since she counted the one who had promised faithful. (12) Therefore also from one — and that one having been deadened — were born, just as the stars of heaven in multitude and as the sand along the lip of the sea, which cannot be numbered.

(13) According to faith, these all died, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar and having greeted them, and having confessed that they are strangers and sojourners upon the earth. (14) For those saying such things make evident that they seek a homeland. (15) And indeed if they were remembering that homeland from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. (16) But now they long for a better one, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He prepared for them a city.

(17) By faith Abraham, being tested, has offered Isaac; the one having received the promises was offering the only-begotten — (18) to whom it was spoken: “In Isaac your seed will be called,” (19) having reasoned that God is able to raise even from dead ones; from which he also received him back in a figure. (20) By faith Isaac also blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things about to be. (21) By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and paid homage upon the top of his staff. (22) By faith Joseph, ending his life, remembered the exodus of the sons of Israel, and commanded concerning his bones.

(23) By faith Moses, having been born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw the child was beautiful, and they did not fear the decree of the king. (24) By faith Moses, having become great, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, (25) having chosen rather to be mistreated together with the people of God than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin, (26) having counted the reproach of the Messiah greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. (27) By faith he forsook Egypt, not having feared the anger of the king; for he endured as seeing the invisible one. (28) By faith he made the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer might not touch their firstborn. (29) By faith they crossed the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, having made the attempt, were swallowed up. (30) By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days. (31) By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish together with the ones having disobeyed, having received the spies with peace.

(32) And what more should I say? For the time will fail me recounting concerning Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel, and the prophets — (33) who through faith conquered kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) quenched the power of fire, escaped the mouths of the sword, were empowered from weakness, became strong in war, routed the camps of foreigners. (35) Women received their dead from resurrection; but others were tortured, not having accepted the release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection. (36) And others received the trial of mockings and floggings, and even of bonds and imprisonment. (37) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they died by the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, being afflicted, being mistreated — (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 been testified through the faith, did not receive the promise, (40) God having foreseen something better concerning us, so that they might not be completed without us.

Hebrews 12

(1) Therefore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses lying around us, having laid aside every weight and the easily-ensnaring sin, let us run with endurance the race lying before us, (2) looking away to Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the faith, who, in place of the joy lying before him, endured a cross, having despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider the one who has endured such opposition from sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary, being faint in your souls.

(4) You have not yet resisted to the point of blood, contending against sin. (5) And you have forgotten the encouragement which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not think lightly of the Lord’s discipline, nor be faint when reproved by Him; (6) for whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and flogs every son whom He receives.” (7) For discipline you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? (8) But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partners, then you are illegitimate and not sons. (9) Furthermore, we had fathers of our flesh as discipliners, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (10) For they indeed were disciplining us for a few days according to what seemed good to them; but He disciplines us for the profitable thing, for the partaking of His holiness. (11) Now all discipline for the present seems not to be of joy, but of grief; but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to the ones having been trained through it.

(12) Therefore straighten up the drooping hands and the weakened knees, (13) and make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be turned aside, but rather may be healed. (14) Pursue peace with all, and the consecration without which no one will see the Lord — (15) watching over that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and through it many may be defiled; (16) lest anyone is sexually immoral or profane, like Esau, who in exchange for one meal sold his own birthright. (17) For you know that also afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind, although having sought it out with tears.

(18) For you have not come to the touchable and burning fire, and to darkness, and gloom, and tempest, (19) and the sound of a trumpet and a voice of words; those who heard begged that no word be added to them — (20) for they could not bear what was commanded: “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned” — (21) and so fearful was the appearance that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” (22) But you have approached Mount Zion, and the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels — to a festal assembly — (23) and to the assembly of firstborn ones enrolled in heavens, and to a judge, God of all, and to the spirits of righteous ones having been completed, (24) and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling speaking better than Abel.

(25) See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking. For if those did not escape, having refused the one who was divinely warning on earth, much more will not we, who are turning away from the one from heavens — (26) whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” (27) And the “yet once” makes clear the removal of the things being shaken, as of things having been made, so that the things not being shaken might remain. (28) Therefore, receiving an unshakeable kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may perform cultic service pleasingly to God, with devout reverence and awe; (29) for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13

(1) Let brotherly love remain. (2) Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. (3) Remember the prisoners, as co-bound with them; those who are mistreated, as also being yourselves in the body. (4) Let marriage be held in honor among all, and the bed undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. (5) Let your manner of life be free from the love of money, being satisfied with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you.” (6) So that we, being confident, may say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What will a man do to me?”

(7) Remember your leaders, who spoke to you the word of God; observing the outcome of their conduct, imitate their faith. (8) Jesus Christ, yesterday and today the same, and into the ages. (9) Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be made firm by grace, not by foods, by which those walking were not benefited.

(10) We have an altar from which those who perform cultic service at the tabernacle have no right to eat. (11) For the bodies of those animals, whose blood for sin is brought into the holy places by the high priest, are burned outside the camp. (12) Therefore Jesus also, in order that he might consecrate the people through his own blood, suffered outside the gate. (13) So then, let us go out to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. (14) For here we do not have a remaining city, but we seek the coming one. (15) Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually — that is, the fruit of lips confessing his name. (16) But do not neglect doing good and sharing, for God is well pleased with such sacrifices.

(17) Obey your leaders and yield to them, for they keep watch over your lives as those who will give an account, so that they may do this with joy and not groaning; for this is unprofitable for you. (18) Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves well in all things. (19) But I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

(20) Now may the God of peace, who led up from the dead ones the great shepherd of the sheep in the blood of an eternal covenant, our lord Jesus, (21) fit you in every good thing to do His will, doing in us what is well pleasing before Him through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory into the ages of the ages. Amen.

(22) But I urge you, brothers, bear with the word of encouragement, for I have written to you in few words. (23) Know that our brother Timothy has been released; with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. (24) Greet all your leaders and all the holy ones. Those from Italy greet you. (25) Grace be with you all.