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Therefore dread we, least peradventure while the promise of entering into his rest is left, that any of us be guessed to be away [be guessed, or deemed, for to fail].

For it is told also to us, as to them [Forsooth it is told to us, as and to them]. And the word that was heard profited not to them, not mingled to faith of those things that they heard.

For we that have believed, shall enter into rest, as he said, As I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest. And when the works were made perfect at the ordinance of the world,[a]

he said thus in a place of the seventh day [he said thus in some place of the seventh day], And God rested in the seventh day from all his works.

And in this place again, They shall not enter into my rest.[b]

Therefore for it followeth, that some men shall enter into it, and they to which it was told to before [and they first to whom it is told], entered not for their unbelief.

Again, he determineth some day, and saith in David, To day, after so much time of time [Again, he termineth some day, saying in David, To day, after so much of time], as it is before-said, To day if ye have heard his voice, do not ye harden your hearts.

For if Jesus had given rest to them, he should never speak of other after this day [after that day].

Therefore the sabbath is left to the people of God. [Therefore rest is left to the people of God.]

10 For he that is entered into his rest, [and he] rested of his works, as also God of his.

11 Therefore haste we to enter into that rest, that no man fall into the same ensample of unbelief [that no man fall into the same example of unbelief].

12 For the word of God is quick, and speedy in working, and more able to pierce than any twain-edged sword [two-edged sword], and stretcheth forth [till] to the parting of the soul and of the spirit, and of the jointures and marrows, and deemer of thoughts, and of intents of hearts[c].

13 And no creature is invisible in the sight of God. For all things be naked and open to his eyes, to whom a word to us.

14 Therefore we that have a great bishop, that pierced heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, hold we the acknowledging of our hope [hold we the confession, or acknowledging, of our faith].

15 For we have not a bishop, that may not have compassion on our infirmities, but was tempted by all things by likeness, without sin.

16 Therefore go we with trust to the throne of his grace, that we get mercy, and find grace in opportune help [in covenable help].

For each bishop taken of men, is ordained for men in these things that be to God [in those things that be to God], that he offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Which may together sorrow with them, that be unknowing and err [that know not and err]; for also he is environed with infirmity.

And therefore he oweth, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Neither any man taketh to him honour, but he that is called of God, as Aaron was.

So [and] Christ clarified not himself, that he were bishop, but he that spake to him, Thou art my Son, to day I engendered thee [to day I gendered thee].

As [and] in another place he saith, Thou art a priest without end [Thou art a priest into without end], after the order of Melchisedec.

Which in the days of his flesh offered, with great cry and tears, prayers and beseechings to him that might make him safe from death, and was heard for his reverence.

And when he was God's Son, he learned obedience of these things that he suffered;

and he brought to the end is made cause of everlasting health [and he led to perfection is made cause of everlasting health] to all that obey him,

10 and is called of God a bishop, by the order of Melchisedec. [called of God a bishop, by the order of Melchisedec.]

11 Of whom there is to us a great word for to say, and able to be expounded, for ye be made feeble to hear.

12 For when ye ought to be masters for a time, again ye need that ye be taught, which be the letters of the beginning of God's words [which be the elements, or letters, of the beginning of God's words]. And ye be made those, to whom is need of milk, and not [of] firm meat.

13 For each that is partner of milk, is without part of the word of rightwiseness, for he is a little child.

14 But of perfect men is firm meat, of them that for custom have [their] wits exercised to discretion of good and of evil [of good and evil].

Therefore we bringing in a word of the beginning of Christ, be we born to the perfection of him, not again laying the foundament of penance from dead works, and of the faith to God,[d]

and of teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of rising again of dead men, and of everlasting doom.

And this thing we shall do, if God shall suffer.

But it is impossible, that they that be once lightened [them that once be illumined], and have tasted also an heavenly gift, and be made partners of the Holy Ghost,

and nevertheless have tasted the good word of God, and the virtues of the world to coming [and virtues of the world to come],

and be slid far away, that they be renewed again to penance. Which again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and have him to scorn.

For the earth that drinketh rain oft coming on it, and bringeth forth suitable herb to them of which it is tilled [Forsooth the earth drinking rain oft coming upon it, and bringing forth covenable herb to them of whom it is tilled], taketh blessing of God.

But that that is bringing forth thorns and briers, is reprovable, and next to curse, whose ending shall be into burning.

But, ye most dear-worthy, we trust of you better things, and near(er) to health, though we speak so.

10 For God is not unjust, that he forget your work and love, which ye have showed in his name; for ye have ministered to saints, and minister.

11 And we covet that each of you show the same busyness to the filling of hope [to the full-filling of hope] into the end;

12 that ye be not made slow, but also followers of them, which by faith and patience shall inherit the promises.

13 For God promising to Abraham, for he had none greater, by whom he should swear, swore by himself,

14 and said [saying], I blessing shall bless thee, and I multiplying shall multiply thee;

15 and so he long abiding had the promise. [and so he long suffering got repromission.]

16 For men swear by a greater than themselves, and the end of all their plea [and the end of all their controversy, or debate,] is an oath to confirmation.

17 In which thing God willing to show plenteouslier to the heirs of his promise the firmness of his counsel, put betwixt an oath,[e]

18 that by two things unmoveable, by which it is impossible that God lie, we have a strongest solace, that flee together to hold the hope that is put forth to us.[f]

19 Which hope as an anchor we have secure to the soul, and firm, and going into the inner things of hiding;

20 where the before-goer, Jesus, that is made bishop without end by the order of Melchisedec, entered for us. [where the fore-goer for us entered in, Jesus, made bishop into without end after the order of Melchisedec.]

And this Melchisedec, king of Salem, and priest of the highest God [the priest of the highest God], which met Abraham, as he turned again from the slaying of the kings, and blessed him;

to whom also Abraham parted tithes of all things; first he is said king of rightwiseness [first soothly the which is interpreted king of rightwiseness], and afterward king of Salem, that is to say, king of peace,

without father, without mother, without genealogy, neither having beginning of days, neither end of life; and he is likened to the Son of God, and dwelleth priest without end [forsooth he likened to the Son of God, dwelleth priest into without end].

But behold ye how great is this [man] [Forsooth behold ye how great this is], to whom Abraham the patriarch gave tithes of the best things.

For men of the sons of Levi taking priesthood have commandment to take tithes of the people, by the law [And soothly men taking priesthood of the sons of Levi have commandment to take tithes of the people, after the law], that is to say, of their brethren, though also they went out of the loins of Abraham.

But he whose generation is not numbered in them, took tithes of Abraham; and he blessed this Abraham, which had repromissions.

Without any gainsaying [Forsooth without any against-saying], that that is less, is blessed of the better.

And here deadly men take tithes; but there he beareth witnessing, that he liveth. [And here soothly men dying take tithes; forsooth there it is witnessed, that he liveth.]

And that it be said so [And that it is so said], by Abraham also Levi, that took tithes, was tithed;

10 and yet he was in his father's loins, when Melchisedec met him.

11 Therefore if perfection was by the priesthood of Levi, for under him the people took the law, what yet was it needful, another priest to rise, by the order of Melchisedec, and not to be said by the order of Aaron [what yet was it needful, another priest to rise, after the order of Melchisedec, and not to be said after the order of Aaron]?

12 For why when the priesthood is translated, it is need [it is needful] that also [the] translation of the law be made.

13 But he in whom these things be said, is of another lineage, of which no man was priest to the altar [of which no man was priest, or ready, to the altar].

14 For it is open [Soothly it is openly known], that our Lord is born of Juda, in which lineage Moses spake nothing of priests.

15 And more yet it is known, if by the order of Melchisedec another priest is risen up; [And more yet it is known, if after the order of Melchisedec another priest riseth;]

16 which is not made by the law of fleshly commandment, but by [the] virtue of life that may not be undone. [the which is not made after the law of fleshly commandment, but after virtue of life indissoluble, or that may not be undone.]

17 For he witnesseth, That thou art a priest without end, by the order of Melchisedec; [Soothly he witnesseth, For thou art a priest into without end, after the order of Melchisedec;]

18 that reproving of the commandment before-going is made, for the unfirmness and unprofit of it.

19 For why the law brought nothing to perfection, but there is a bringing in of a better hope, by which we approach to God [by which we nigh to God].

20 And how great it is, not without swearing [that Christ is made priest after the order of Melchisedec];

21 but the others [forsooth others] be made priests without an oath; but this priest with an oath, by him that said to him, The Lord swore, and it shall not rue him, Thou art a priest without end, by the order of Melchisedec [Thou art a priest into without end, after the order of Melchisedec];

22 in so much Jesus is made [better] promiser of the better testament.

23 And [soothly] the others were made many priests, therefore for they were forbidden by death to dwell still [for that they were forbidden by death to dwell];

24 but this man, for he dwelleth without end [for that he dwelleth into without end], hath an everlasting priesthood.

25 Wherefore also he may save without end, coming nigh by himself to God, and evermore liveth to pray for us. [Wherefore and he may save into without end, coming nigh by himself to God, evermore living to pray for us.]

26 For it beseemed that such a man were a bishop to us, holy, innocent, undefouled, clean, separated from sinful men, and made higher than heavens;[g]

27 which hath not need each day, as priests, first for his own guilts to offer sacrifices, and afterward for the people; for he did this thing in offering himself once [soothly he did this thing, once offering himself].

28 And the law ordained men priests having frailty [having sickness, or frailty]; but the word of swearing, which is after the law, ordained the Son perfect without end [ordained the Son perfect into without end].

But a recapitulation on those things that be said. We have such a bishop, that sat on the right half of the seat of greatness in heavens,

the minister of saints, and of the very tabernacle, that God made [that God set], and not man.

For each bishop is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices; wherefore it is need, that also this bishop have something that he shall offer [wherefore it is need, and this man, for to have something that he shall offer].

Therefore if he were on earth, he were no priest, when there were that should offer gifts by the law, [Therefore if he were on earth, he were not priest, when there were that should offer gifts after the law,]

which serve to the exemplar and shadow of heavenly things. As it was answered to Moses, when he should end the tabernacle, See, he said, make thou all things by the exemplar, that is showed to thee in the mount.[h]

But now he hath gotten a better ministry, by so much as he is a mediator of a better testament [by how much and he is a mediator of a better testament], which is confirmed with better promises.

For if that first had lacked blame [For if that first had been voided from blame], the place of the second should not have been sought.

For he reproving them saith [Forsooth reproving them he saith], Lo! days come, saith the Lord, and I shall make perfect a new testament on the house of Israel, and on the house of Juda;

not like the testament [not after the testament] that I made to their fathers, in the day in which I caught their hand, that I should lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they dwelled not perfectly in my testament, and I have despised them, saith the Lord.

10 But this is the testament, which I shall assign to the house of Israel after those days[i], saith the Lord, in giving my laws into the souls of them, and into the hearts of them I shall above write them; and I shall be to them into a God [and I shall be to them into God], and they shall be to me into a people.

11 And each man shall not teach his neighbour, and each man his brother, saying, Know thou the Lord; for all men shall know me, from the least to the more of them [from the less unto the more of them].

12 For I shall be merciful to the wickedness of them, and now I shall not bethink on the sins of them.

13 But in saying a new, the former waxed old; and that that is of many days, and waxeth old, is nigh the death [is nigh death].

[Soothly] And the former testament had justifyings of worship, and holy thing during for a time [and holy thing worldly, that is, during for a time].

For the tabernacle was made first, in which were candlesticks, and [a] board, and setting forth of loaves [and putting forth of loaves], which is said holy.

And after the veil, the second tabernacle, that is said sanctum sanctorum, that is, holy of holy things;

having a golden censer, and the ark of the testament, covered about on each side with gold, in which was a pot of gold having manna, and the rod of Aaron that flowered [and the rod of Aaron that flourished], and the tables of the testament;

on which things were cherubims of glory, overshadowing the propitiatory [upon which things were cherubims of glory, shadowing the propitiatory, or mercyable place]; of which things it is not now to say by all.

But when these were made thus together, priests entered evermore in the former tabernacle, doing the offices of sacrifices [ending the offices of sacraments];

but in the second tabernacle, the bishop [alone] entered once in the year, not without blood, which he offered for his ignorance and the people's.

For the Holy Ghost signified this thing [The Holy Ghost signifying this thing], that not yet the way of saints was opened, while the former tabernacle had state.

Which parable is of this present time, by which also gifts and sacrifices be offered, which be not able to make [which may not make] a man serving perfect by conscience,

10 only in meats, and drinks, and diverse washings, and rightwisenesses of flesh, that were set to the time of correction [put unto the time of correction].

11 But Christ being a bishop of goods to coming, entered by a larger and perfecter tabernacle [Forsooth Christ being a bishop of goods to come, by a larger and perfecter tabernacle], not made by hand, that is to say, not of this making,

12 neither by blood of goat bucks, or of calves, but by his own blood, entered once into the holy things, that were found by an everlasting redemption. [neither by blood of goat bucks, or calves, but by his own blood, entered once into holy things, when everlasting redemption was found.]

13 For if the blood of goat bucks, and of bulls, and the ashes of a cow calf sprinkled, halloweth unclean men to the cleansing of flesh,

14 how much more the blood of Christ, which by the Holy Ghost offered himself unwemmed to God, shall cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve God that liveth [for to serve to living God]?

15 And therefore he is a mediator of the new testament, that by death falling betwixt [that death falling between], into redemption of the trespassings that were under the former testament, they that be called take the promise of everlasting heritage.

16 For where a testament is, it is need, that the death of the testament maker come betwixt [come between].

17 For a testament is confirmed in dead men; else it is not worth [else it is (of) no worth], while he liveth, that made the testament.

18 Wherefore neither the first testament was hallowed without blood.

19 For when each commandment of the law was read of Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves, and of bucks of goats, with water, and red wool, and hyssop, and besprinkled [sprinkled] both that book and all the people,

20 and said [saying], This is the blood of the testament, that God commanded to you.

21 Also he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the service in like manner [and all the vessels of ministry, or service, in like manner].

22 And almost all things be cleansed in blood by the law; and without shedding of blood remission of sins is not made.

23 Therefore it is need, that the exemplars [that the samplers] of heavenly things be cleansed with these things; but those heavenly things with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Jesus entered not into holy things made by hands, that be [the] exemplars of very things, but into heaven itself, that he appear now to the face of God for us;[j]

25 neither [nor] that he offer himself oft, as the bishop entered into holy things by all years in alien blood,

26 else it behooved him to suffer oft [else it behooved him oft to suffer] from the beginning of the world; but now once in the ending of the worlds, to the destruction of sin by his sacrifice he appeared.

27 And as it is ordained to men, once to die, but after this is the doom,

28 so Christ was offered once, to void the sins of many men [for to void, or do away, the sins of many men]; the second time he shall appear without sin to men that abide him into health.

10 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, not that image of things, may never make men approaching perfect by those same sacrifices, which they offer without ceasing by all years; [Forsooth the law having shadow of goods to come, not that image of things, by all years by those same hosts, which they offer without ceasing, never may make men coming nigh perfect;]

else they should have ceased to be offered, for as much as the worshippers cleansed once, had not furthermore conscience of sin [had no conscience of sin furthermore].

But in them [by oft offering] mind of sins is made by all years.

For it is impossible that sins be done away by blood of bulls, and of bucks of goats.

Therefore he entering into the world, saith, Thou wouldest not sacrifice and offering; but thou hast shaped a body to me;

[and] burnt sacrifices also for sin pleased not to thee.

Then I said, Lo! I come; in the beginning of the book it is written of me, that I do thy will, [thou] God.

He saying before, That thou wouldest not sacrifices, and offerings, and burnt sacrifices for sin [He above saying, or before, For thou wouldest not hosts, and offerings, and burnt sacrifices, for sin], nor those things be pleasant to thee, which be offered by the law,

then I said, Lo! I come, that I do thy will, God. He doeth away the first, that he make steadfast the second.

10 In which will we be hallowed by the offering of the body of Christ Jesus once.

11 And each priest is ready ministering each day, and oft times offering the same sacrifices, which be never able to do away sins.[k]

12 But this man offering one sacrifice for sins, for evermore sitteth in the right half of God the Father [for evermore sitteth on the right half of God the Father];

13 from thenceforth abiding, till his enemies be put a stool of his feet [till his enemies be put a stool under his feet].

14 For by one offering he made perfect for ever hallowed men.

15 And the Holy Ghost witnesseth to us; for after that he said [forsooth afterward he said],

16 This is the testament, which I shall witness to them after those days, the Lord saith [saith the Lord], in giving my laws in the hearts of them, and in the souls of them I shall above write them;

17 and now I shall no more think on the sins and the wickedness of them [and wickednesses of them].

18 And where remission of these is, now is there none offering for sin.

19 Therefore, brethren, having trust into the entering of holy things in the blood of Christ,

20 which [he] hallowed to us a new way, and living by the covering [by a veil, or covering], that is to say, his flesh,

22 approach we with very heart in the plenty of faith [nigh we with very heart in the plenty of faith]; and be our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water,

23 and hold we the confession of our hope, bowing to no side [hold we the confession of our hope unbowing, unpliable]; for he is true that hath made the promise.

24 And behold we together in the stirring of charity and of good works;

25 not forsaking our gathering together, as it is the custom to some men, but comforting [them], and by so much the more, by how much ye see the day approaching.[l]

26 For why now a sacrifice for sins is not left to us, that sin willfully, after that we have taken the knowing of truth. [Forsooth to us sinning willfully, after the knowing of truth taken, now an host for sins is not left.]

27 For why some abiding of doom is dreadful, and the following of fire, which shall waste adversaries.

28 Who that breaketh Moses' law, dieth without any mercy, by two or three witnesses;

29 how much more guess ye, that he deserveth worse torments [him to deserve worse torments], which defouleth the Son of God, and holdeth the blood of the testament polluted, in which he is hallowed, and doeth despite [and shall do wrong, or despite,] to the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that said, To me vengeance, and I shall yield. And again, For the Lord shall deem his people.

31 It is fearedful to fall into the hands of God living.[m]

32 And have ye mind on the former days, in which ye were lightened, and suffered great strife of passions [in which ye lightened sustained great strife, or fight, of passions].

33 And in the tother ye were made a spectacle by shames and tribulations; in another ye were made fellows of men living so. [And soothly in the tother ye were made a spectacle by reproofs and tribulations; in the tother forsooth ye be made fellows of men living so.]

34 For also to bound men ye had compassion, and ye received with joy the robbing of your goods, knowing that ye have a better and a dwelling substance [and ye received with joy the raven of your goods, knowing you to have a better and dwelling substance].

35 Therefore do not ye lose your trust, which hath great rewarding.

36 For patience is needful to you, that ye do the will of God, and bring again the promise [that ye doing the will of God, bring again the promise].

37 For yet a little, and he that is to come shall come, and he shall not tarry.

38 For my just man liveth of faith; that if he withdraweth himself, he shall not please to my soul.

39 But we be not the sons of withdrawing away into perdition, but of faith into [the] getting of soul.

11 But faith is the substance of things that be to be hoped, and an argument of things not appearing. [Forsooth faith is the substance of things to be hoped, an argument, or certainty, of things not appearing.]

And in this faith old men have gotten witnessing.

By faith we understand that the worlds were made by God's word [By faith we understand the worlds to be shaped, or made, by God's word], that visible things were made of invisible things.

By faith Abel offered a much more sacrifice than Cain to God, by which he got witnessing to be just, for God bare witnessing to his gifts[n]; and by that faith he dead speaketh yet.

By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, for the Lord translated him. For before [the] translation he had witnessing that he pleased God.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. For it behooveth that a man coming to God, believe that he is, and that he is [a] rewarder of men that seek him.

By faith Noah dreaded, through answer taken of these things that yet were not seen, and shaped a ship into the health of his house [By faith Noah, an answer taken of these things that yet were not seen, dreading shaped an ark, or ship, into the health of his house]; by which he condemned the world, and is ordained heir of rightwiseness, which is by faith.

By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place, which he should take into heritage; and he went out, not witting whither he should go.

By faith he dwelt in the land of promise, as in an alien land, dwelling in little houses with Isaac and Jacob, even-heirs of the same promise.

10 For he abode a city having foundaments, whose craftsman and maker is God.

11 By faith also that Sara barren, took virtue in conceiving of seed, yea, against the time of age; for she believed him true, that had promised.

12 For which thing of one, and yet nigh dead, there were born as stars of heaven in multitude, and as gravel that is at the seaside out of number. [For which thing, and of one, and him nigh dead, men be born as stars of heaven in multitude, and as gravel, or sand, that is at the seaside unnumerable.]

13 By faith all these be dead, when the promises were not taken, but they beheld them afar [but they beholding them afar], and greeting them well, and acknowledged that they were pilgrims, and harboured men on the earth.

14 And they that say these things, signify that they seek a country.

15 If they had had mind of that [And forsooth if they had mind of that], of which they went out, [soothly] they had time of turning again;

16 but now they desire a better, that is to say, heavenly. Therefore God is not confounded to be called the God of them [Therefore God is not confounded, or shamed, to be called the God of them]; for he made ready to them a city.

17 By faith Abraham offered Isaac, when he was tempted; and he offered the one begotten [son], which had taken the promises [which had taken repromissions];

18 to whom it was said, For in Isaac the seed shall be called to thee.

19 For he deemed, that God is mighty to raise him, yea, from death[o]; wherefore he took him also into a parable.

20 By faith also of things to coming [By faith and of things to come], Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.

21 By faith Jacob dying blessed all the sons of Joseph, and honoured the highness of his staff [and honoured the highness of his rod].

22 By faith Joseph dying had mind of the passing forth of the children of Israel, and commanded of his bones.

23 By faith Moses born, was hid three months of his father and mother, for that they saw the young child fair [for that they saw the young child fair, or seemly]; and they dreaded not the commandment of the king.

24 By faith Moses was made great, and denied that he was the son of Pharaoh's daughter, [By faith Moses made great, denied him to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter,]

25 and chose more to be tormented with the people of God [choosing rather for to be tormented with the people of God], than to have mirth of temporal sin;

26 deeming the reproof of Christ more riches than the treasures of [the] Egyptians; for he beheld into the rewarding.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, and dreaded not the hardness of the king; for he abode, as seeing him that was invisible. [By faith he forsook Egypt, not dreading the hardness of the king; forsooth he as seeing sustained the invisible.]

28 By faith he hallowed pask, and the shedding out of blood, that he that destroyed the first things of Egyptians, should not touch them. [By faith he hallowed pask, and shedding of blood, lest he that destroyed the first things of the Egyptians, should touch them.]

29 By faith they passed the red sea, as by dry land, which thing Egyptians assaying were devoured [in waters].

30 By faith the walls of Jericho felled down [fell down], by compassing of seven days.

31 By faith Rahab the whore received the spies with peace, and perished not with unbelieveful men.[p]

32 And what yet shall I say? For time shall fail to me [Soothly time shall fail me] telling of Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, and Samuel, and of other prophets;

33 which by faith overcame realms, wrought rightwiseness, got repromissions; they stopped the mouths of lions,

34 they quenched the fierceness of fire, they drove away the edge of sword, they recovered of sickness, they were made strong in battle, they turned the hosts of aliens.

35 Women received their dead children from death to life; but others were held forth, not taking redemption [Women received their dead of again-rising; forsooth others were holden forth, or dead, not taking redemption], that they should find a better again-rising.

36 And others assayed scornings and beatings, moreover and bonds and prisons.

37 They were stoned, they were sawed, they were tempted, they were dead in slaying of sword. They went about in badger skins [They went about in brock skins], and in skins of goats, needy, anguished, tormented;

38 to which the world was not worthy. They wandered in wildernesses [They erring in wildernesses], and in mountains and dens, and [in] caves of the earth.

39 And all these, approved by witnessing of faith [proved by witnessing of faith], took not repromission;

40 for God provided some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us.

12 Therefore [and] we that have so great a cloud of witnesses put to [us], do we away all charge, and sin standing about us, and by patience run we to the battle purposed to us,

beholding into the maker of faith, and the perfect ender, Jesus; which when joy was purposed to him, he suffered the cross [suffered the cross], and despised confusion, and sitteth on the right half of the seat of God.

And bethink ye on him that suffered such gainsaying of sinful men against himself [Forsooth bethink ye on him that sustained such against-saying of sinful men against himself], that ye be not made weary, failing in your souls.

For ye against-stood not yet unto blood, fighting against sin.

And ye have forgotten the comfort that speaketh to you as to sons, and saith, My son, do not thou despise the teaching of the Lord [saying, My son, do not thou despise the discipline of the Lord], neither be thou made weary, the while thou art chastised of him.

For the Lord chastiseth him that he loveth; he beateth every son that he receiveth.[q]

Abide ye still in chastising; God proffereth him(self) to you as to sons[r]. For what son is it, whom the father chastiseth not?

That if ye be out of chastising, whose partners be ye all made [That if ye be out of discipline, of which all be made partners], then ye be adulterers, and not sons.

And afterward we had fathers of our flesh, teachers, and we with reverence dreaded them. Whether not much more we shall obey to the Father of spirits, and we shall live?

10 And they [soothly] in time of few days taught us by their will; but this Father teacheth to that thing that is profitable [forsooth this Father to that thing that is profitable], in receiving the hallowing of him.

11 And each chastising in [this] present time seemeth to be not of joy, but of sorrow; but afterward it shall yield fruit of rightwiseness most peaceable to men exercised by it.

12 For which thing raise ye [up] slow hands, and knees unbound,

13 and make ye rightful steps to your feet [and make rightful goings, or steps, to your feet]; that no man halting err, but more be healed.

14 Follow ye peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God.

15 Behold ye, that no man fail to the grace of God [Beholding that no man fail to the grace of God], that no root of bitterness burrowing upward hinder [us], and many be defouled by it [and by it be many men defouled];

16 that no man be lecher, either unholy, as Esau, which for one meat sold his first things.[s]

17 For know ye, that afterward he coveting to inherit blessing, was reproved. For he found not place of penance, though he sought it with tears.

18 But ye have not come [Forsooth ye have not come] to the fire able to be touched, and able to come to, and to the whirlwind, and mist, and tempest,

19 and sound of trumpet [and sound of the trump], and voice of words; which they that heard, excused them(selves), that the word should not be made to them.

20 For they bare not that that was said, And if a beast touched the hill, it was stoned [it shall be stoned].

21 And so dreadful it was that was seen, that Moses said, I am afeared, and full of trembling.

22 But ye have come nigh to the hill Sion, and to the city of God living [and to the city of living God], the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the multitude of many thousand angels,

23 and to the church of the first men, which be written in heavens, and to God, doomsman of all, and to the spirit of just perfect men [and to the spirits of just perfect men],

24 and to Jesus, mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood, speaking better than Abel [better speaking than Abel's blood].

25 See ye, that ye forsake [refuse] not the speaker; for if they that forsake him that spake on the earth, escaped not [if forsooth they escaped not (that) refused him that spake on earth], much more we that turn away from him that speaketh to us from heavens.

26 Whose voice then moved the earth, but now he again promiseth, and saith [saying], Yet once and I shall move not only the earth, but also heaven.

27 And that he saith, Yet once, he declareth the translation of moveable things, as of made things, that those things dwell, that be unmoveable.

28 Therefore we receiving the kingdom unmoveable, have we grace, by which serve we pleasing to God with dread and reverence.

29 For our God is fire that wasteth [For why our God is fire wasting].

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:3 Forsooth we that have believed shall enter into rest, as he said, As I swore in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest. And soothly the works were made perfect from the ordinance of the world,
  2. Hebrews 4:5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
  3. Hebrews 4:12 and entering, or stretching, unto parting of soul and spirit, and of jointures and marrows, and it is the deemer of thoughts and intents of hearts
  4. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore we leaving a while the word of the beginning of Christ, be born to the perfection, not again laying the foundament of penance from dead works, and of faith to God,
  5. Hebrews 6:17 In which thing God willing to show plenteouslier to the heirs of his promise the unmoveableness, or firmness, of his counsel, put between an oath,
  6. Hebrews 6:18 that by two things unmoveable, by which it is impossible God for to lie, we have strongest solace, or comfort, which flee together to hold the hope put forth.
  7. Hebrews 7:26 Forsooth it became that such a man were bishop to us, holy, innocent, unfiled, parted from sinners, and made higher than heavens;
  8. Hebrews 8:5 which serve to the sampler, or figure, and shadow of heavenly things. As it was answered to Moses, when he should make the tabernacle, See, the Lord saith, make all things after the sampler, that is showed to thee in the mount.
  9. Hebrews 8:10 For this is the testament, which I shall dispose to the house of Israel after those days
  10. Hebrews 9:24 Forsooth Jesus entered not into holy things made by hands, the which be samplers of very things, but into heavens itself, that he appear now to the cheer, or face, of God for us;
  11. Hebrews 10:11 And soothly each priest is ready each day ministering, and oft times offering the same hosts, which may never do away sins.
  12. Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our gathering together, as it is of custom of some men, but counseling them, and by so much the more, by how much ye shall see the day nighing.
  13. Hebrews 10:31 It is fearful to fall into the hands of living God.
  14. Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered full much more host, or sacrifice, to God than Cain, by which he got witnessing to be just, God bearing witnessing to his gifts
  15. Hebrews 11:19 Deeming, that and from dead God is mighty to raise him
  16. Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the whore perished not with the unbelieveful, she receiving the spies with peace.
  17. Hebrews 12:6 Forsooth whomever the Lord loveth he chastiseth; forsooth he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
  18. Hebrews 12:7 Last ye therefore in discipline; God offereth him to you as to sons
  19. Hebrews 12:16 that no man be lecher, or unholy, as Esau, the which for one meal's meat sold his first things, or heritage.

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.(A) For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a](B) Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b](C)

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c](D) And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”(E)

Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,(F) God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts.”[d](G)

For if Joshua had given them rest,(H) God would not have spoken(I) later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e](J) just as God did from his.(K) 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.(L)

12 For the word of God(M) is alive(N) and active.(O) Sharper than any double-edged sword,(P) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.(Q) 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.(R) Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest(S) who has ascended into heaven,[f](T) Jesus the Son of God,(U) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.(V) 15 For we do not have a high priest(W) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are(X)—yet he did not sin.(Y) 16 Let us then approach(Z) God’s throne of grace with confidence,(AA) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,(AB) to offer gifts and sacrifices(AC) for sins.(AD) He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,(AE) since he himself is subject to weakness.(AF) This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.(AG) And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.(AH)

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(AI) of becoming a high priest.(AJ) But God said(AK) to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”[g](AL)

And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.(AM)[h](AN)

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions(AO) with fervent cries and tears(AP) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard(AQ) because of his reverent submission.(AR) Son(AS) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered(AT) and, once made perfect,(AU) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest(AV) in the order of Melchizedek.(AW)

Warning Against Falling Away(AX)

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths(AY) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!(AZ) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,(BA) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature,(BB) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.(BC)

Therefore let us move beyond(BD) the elementary teachings(BE) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[i](BF) and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites,[j](BG) the laying on of hands,(BH) the resurrection of the dead,(BI) and eternal judgment. And God permitting,(BJ) we will do so.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,(BK) who have tasted the heavenly gift,(BL) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,(BM) who have tasted the goodness(BN) of the word of God(BO) and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen[k] away, to be brought back to repentance.(BP) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God(BQ) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.(BR) In the end it will be burned.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends,(BS) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.(BT) 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope(BU) for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate(BV) those who through faith and patience(BW) inherit what has been promised.(BX)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,(BY) 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[l](BZ) 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.(CA)

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.(CB) 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging(CC) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,(CD) he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,(CE) we who have fled to take hold of the hope(CF) set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,(CG) 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.(CH) He has become a high priest(CI) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.(CJ)

Melchizedek the Priest

This Melchizedek was king of Salem(CK) and priest of God Most High.(CL) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,(CM) and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy,(CN) without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God,(CO) he remains a priest forever.

Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch(CP) Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!(CQ) Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people(CR)—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed(CS) him who had the promises.(CT) And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.(CU) One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Jesus Like Melchizedek

11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people(CV) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,(CW) one in the order of Melchizedek,(CX) not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe,(CY) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.(CZ) 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,(DA) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”[m](DB)

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless(DC) 19 (for the law made nothing perfect),(DD) and a better hope(DE) is introduced, by which we draw near to God.(DF)

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:(DG)
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”[n](DH)

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.(DI)

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.(DJ) 25 Therefore he is able to save(DK) completely[o] those who come to God(DL) through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.(DM)

26 Such a high priest(DN) truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,(DO) exalted above the heavens.(DP) 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices(DQ) day after day, first for his own sins,(DR) and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all(DS) when he offered himself.(DT) 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness;(DU) but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,(DV) who has been made perfect(DW) forever.

The High Priest of a New Covenant

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest,(DX) who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,(DY) and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle(DZ) set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

Every high priest(EA) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,(EB) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.(EC) If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.(ED) They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy(EE) and shadow(EF) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned(EG) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[p](EH) But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant(EI) of which he is mediator(EJ) is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.(EK) But God found fault with the people and said[q]:

“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
    when I will make a new covenant(EL)
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors(EM)
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
    and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant(EN) I will establish with the people of Israel
    after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
    and write them on their hearts.(EO)
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.(EP)
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,(EQ)
    from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.(ER)[r](ES)

13 By calling this covenant “new,”(ET) he has made the first one obsolete;(EU) and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.(EV) A tabernacle(EW) was set up. In its first room were the lampstand(EX) and the table(EY) with its consecrated bread;(EZ) this was called the Holy Place.(FA) Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,(FB) which had the golden altar of incense(FC) and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.(FD) This ark contained the gold jar of manna,(FE) Aaron’s staff that had budded,(FF) and the stone tablets of the covenant.(FG) Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory,(FH) overshadowing the atonement cover.(FI) But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly(FJ) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered(FK) the inner room,(FL) and that only once a year,(FM) and never without blood,(FN) which he offered for himself(FO) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.(FP) The Holy Spirit was showing(FQ) by this that the way(FR) into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration(FS) for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered(FT) were not able to clear the conscience(FU) of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food(FV) and drink(FW) and various ceremonial washings(FX)—external regulations(FY) applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

11 But when Christ came as high priest(FZ) of the good things that are now already here,[s](GA) he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle(GB) that is not made with human hands,(GC) that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;(GD) but he entered the Most Holy Place(GE) once for all(GF) by his own blood,(GG) thus obtaining[t] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls(GH) and the ashes of a heifer(GI) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit(GJ) offered himself(GK) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences(GL) from acts that lead to death,[u](GM) so that we may serve the living God!(GN)

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator(GO) of a new covenant,(GP) that those who are called(GQ) may receive the promised(GR) eternal inheritance(GS)—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.(GT)

16 In the case of a will,[v] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.(GU) 19 When Moses had proclaimed(GV) every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,(GW) together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.(GX) 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[w](GY) 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,(GZ) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.(HA)

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies(HB) of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one;(HC) he entered heaven itself,(HD) now to appear for us in God’s presence.(HE) 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place(HF) every year with blood that is not his own.(HG) 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.(HH) But he has appeared(HI) once for all(HJ) at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.(HK) 27 Just as people are destined to die once,(HL) and after that to face judgment,(HM) 28 so Christ was sacrificed once(HN) to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time,(HO) not to bear sin,(HP) but to bring salvation(HQ) to those who are waiting for him.(HR)

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

10 The law is only a shadow(HS) of the good things(HT) that are coming—not the realities themselves.(HU) For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect(HV) those who draw near to worship.(HW) Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.(HX) But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.(HY) It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats(HZ) to take away sins.(IA)

Therefore, when Christ came into the world,(IB) he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for me;(IC)
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you were not pleased.
Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll(ID)
    I have come to do your will, my God.’”[x](IE)

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”(IF)—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”(IG) He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy(IH) through the sacrifice of the body(II) of Jesus Christ once for all.(IJ)

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,(IK) which can never take away sins.(IL) 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,(IM) he sat down at the right hand of God,(IN) 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.(IO) 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect(IP) forever those who are being made holy.(IQ)

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies(IR) to us about this. First he says:

16 “This is the covenant I will make with them
    after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
    and I will write them on their minds.”[y](IS)

17 Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts
    I will remember no more.”[z](IT)

18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence(IU) to enter the Most Holy Place(IV) by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way(IW) opened for us through the curtain,(IX) that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest(IY) over the house of God,(IZ) 22 let us draw near to God(JA) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,(JB) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience(JC) and having our bodies washed with pure water.(JD) 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope(JE) we profess,(JF) for he who promised is faithful.(JG) 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,(JH) 25 not giving up meeting together,(JI) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another(JJ)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(JK)

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning(JL) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,(JM) no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire(JN) that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.(JO) 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God(JP) underfoot,(JQ) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant(JR) that sanctified them,(JS) and who has insulted the Spirit(JT) of grace?(JU) 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[aa](JV) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”[ab](JW) 31 It is a dreadful thing(JX) to fall into the hands(JY) of the living God.(JZ)

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,(KA) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.(KB) 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;(KC) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.(KD) 34 You suffered along with those in prison(KE) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.(KF) 35 So do not throw away your confidence;(KG) it will be richly rewarded.

36 You need to persevere(KH) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.(KI) 37 For,

“In just a little while,
    he who is coming(KJ) will come
    and will not delay.”[ac](KK)

38 And,

“But my righteous[ad] one will live by faith.(KL)
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back.”[ae](KM)

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for(KN) and assurance about what we do not see.(KO) This is what the ancients were commended for.(KP)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command,(KQ) so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended(KR) as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.(KS) And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.(KT)

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[af](KU) For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him(KV) must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,(KW) in holy fear built an ark(KX) to save his family.(KY) By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.(KZ)

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,(LA) obeyed and went,(LB) even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land(LC) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,(LD) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.(LE) 10 For he was looking forward to the city(LF) with foundations,(LG) whose architect and builder is God.(LH) 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,(LI) was enabled to bear children(LJ) because she[ag] considered him faithful(LK) who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,(LL) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.(LM)

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;(LN) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,(LO) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.(LP) 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.(LQ) 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.(LR) Therefore God is not ashamed(LS) to be called their God,(LT) for he has prepared a city(LU) for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.(LV) He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[ah](LW) 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead,(LX) and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.(LY)

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons,(LZ) and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.(MA)

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born,(MB) because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.(MC)

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.(MD) 25 He chose to be mistreated(ME) along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace(MF) for the sake of Christ(MG) as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.(MH) 27 By faith he left Egypt,(MI) not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer(MJ) of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.(MK)

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.(ML)

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.(MM)

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[ai](MN)

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon,(MO) Barak,(MP) Samson(MQ) and Jephthah,(MR) about David(MS) and Samuel(MT) and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms,(MU) administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,(MV) 34 quenched the fury of the flames,(MW) and escaped the edge of the sword;(MX) whose weakness was turned to strength;(MY) and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.(MZ) 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.(NA) There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging,(NB) and even chains and imprisonment.(NC) 37 They were put to death by stoning;[aj](ND) they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.(NE) They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,(NF) destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves(NG) and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended(NH) for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,(NI) 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us(NJ) would they be made perfect.(NK)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run(NL) with perseverance(NM) the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,(NN) the pioneer(NO) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,(NP) scorning its shame,(NQ) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(NR) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary(NS) and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.(NT) And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart(NU) when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,(NV)
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[ak](NW)

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.(NX) For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline(NY)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits(NZ) and live!(OA) 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.(OB) 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace(OC) for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.(OD) 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[al](OE) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.(OF)

Warning and Encouragement

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone(OG) and to be holy;(OH) without holiness no one will see the Lord.(OI) 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God(OJ) and that no bitter root(OK) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral,(OL) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.(OM) 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,(ON) he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;(OO) 19 to a trumpet blast(OP) or to such a voice speaking words(OQ) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,(OR) 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[am](OS) 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[an](OT)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion,(OU) to the city(OV) of the living God,(OW) the heavenly Jerusalem.(OX) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn,(OY) whose names are written in heaven.(OZ) You have come to God, the Judge of all,(PA) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,(PB) 24 to Jesus the mediator(PC) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood(PD) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.(PE)

25 See to it that you do not refuse(PF) him who speaks.(PG) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned(PH) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?(PI) 26 At that time his voice shook the earth,(PJ) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[ao](PK) 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken(PL)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,(PM) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,(PN) 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”[ap](PO)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
  2. Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
  3. Hebrews 4:4 Gen. 2:2
  4. Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7,8
  5. Hebrews 4:10 Or labor
  6. Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens
  7. Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
  8. Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4
  9. Hebrews 6:1 Or from useless rituals
  10. Hebrews 6:2 Or about baptisms
  11. Hebrews 6:6 Or age, if they fall
  12. Hebrews 6:14 Gen. 22:17
  13. Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4
  14. Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4
  15. Hebrews 7:25 Or forever
  16. Hebrews 8:5 Exodus 25:40
  17. Hebrews 8:8 Some manuscripts may be translated fault and said to the people.
  18. Hebrews 8:12 Jer. 31:31-34
  19. Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
  20. Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
  21. Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals
  22. Hebrews 9:16 Same Greek word as covenant; also in verse 17
  23. Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8
  24. Hebrews 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
  25. Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33
  26. Hebrews 10:17 Jer. 31:34
  27. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:35
  28. Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14
  29. Hebrews 10:37 Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3
  30. Hebrews 10:38 Some early manuscripts But the righteous
  31. Hebrews 10:38 Hab. 2:4 (see Septuagint)
  32. Hebrews 11:5 Gen. 5:24
  33. Hebrews 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was too old to have children—and Sarah herself was not able to conceive—was enabled to become a father because he
  34. Hebrews 11:18 Gen. 21:12
  35. Hebrews 11:31 Or unbelieving
  36. Hebrews 11:37 Some early manuscripts stoning; they were put to the test;
  37. Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  38. Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26
  39. Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
  40. Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
  41. Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
  42. Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24