Hebrews 10:19-39

New Life Version

We Can Go to God Through Christ

¹⁹ Christian brothers, now we know we can go into the Holiest Place of All because the blood of Jesus was given. ²⁰ We now come to God by the new and living way. Christ made this way for us. He opened the curtain, which was His own body. ²¹ We have a great Religious Leader over the house of God. ²² And so let us come near to God with a true heart full of faith. Our hearts must be made clean from guilty feelings and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold on to the hope we say we have and not be changed. We can trust God that He will do what He promised. ²⁴ Let us help each other to love others and to do good. ²⁵ Let us not stay away from church meetings. Some people are doing this all the time. Comfort each other as you see the day of His return coming near.

Do Not Fall Back Into Sin

²⁶ If we keep on sinning because we want to after we have received and know the truth, there is no gift that will take away sins then. ²⁷ Instead, we will stand before God and on that day He will judge us. And the hot fires of hell will burn up those who work against God. ²⁸ Anyone who did not obey the Old Way of Worship died without loving-kindness when two or three men spoke against him. ²⁹ How much more will a man have to be punished if he walks on and hates the Son of God? How much more will he be punished if he acts as if the blood of God’s New Way of Worship is worth nothing? This New Way of Worship is God’s way of making him holy. How much more will he be punished if he laughs at the Holy Spirit Who wanted to show him loving-favor? ³⁰ For we know God said, “I will pay back what is coming to them.” And, “The Lord will judge His people.” ^{(A) 31} The very worst thing that can happen to a man is to fall into the hands of the living God!

³² Remember how it was in those days after you heard the truth. You suffered much. ³³ People laughed at you and beat you. When others suffered, you suffered with them. ³⁴ You had loving-pity for those who were in prison. You had joy when your things were taken away from you. For you knew you would have something better in heaven which would last forever.

³⁵ Do not throw away your trust, for your reward will be great. ³⁶ You must be willing to wait without giving up. After you have done what God wants you to do, God will give you what He promised you. ³⁷ The Holy Writings say, “In a little while, the One you are looking for will come. It will not be a long time now. ³⁸ For the one right with God lives by faith. If anyone turns back, I will not be pleased with him.” ^{(B) 39} We are not of those people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith to be saved from the punishment of sin.