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16 It is clear that Jesus did not come to help the angels. He came to help people who are from Abraham's family.[a]

17 Because of that, it was necessary for Jesus to become completely like us, his brothers and sisters. He had to become God's servant on our behalf, like God's most important priest. In that way, he could serve God well and be kind to us. He died as a sacrifice so that God could forgive us for our sins. 18 While Jesus lived on earth, the Devil tried to make him do wrong things. This caused Jesus to have much pain and trouble. But because of that, he can now help us not to do wrong things.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:16 Abraham was the ancestor of God's people in the Old Testament. He chose to believe God, even when that was very difficult. So he is like the father of everyone else who believes in God. In this verse, ‘people who are from Abraham's family’ means people who believe in Jesus. See Genesis 15:1-6, Hebrews 11:8-12,17-19 and John 8:39.

16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.(A) 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[a](B) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful(C) and faithful high priest(D) in service to God,(E) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.(F) 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers