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God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of
his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power,
when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right
hand of the Majesty on high;
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by
inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my
Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him
a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the
world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and
his ministers a flame of fire.
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore
God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness
above thy fellows.
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of
the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax
old as doth a garment;
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be
changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right
hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things
which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of
reward;
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at
the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed
unto us by them that heard him;
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and
with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to
his own will?
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to
come, whereof we speak.
But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that
thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest
him?
Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst
him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of
thy hands:
Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in
that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that
is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put
under him.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that
he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all
things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain
of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are
all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them
brethren,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst
of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and
the children which God hath given me.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that
through death he might destroy him that had the power of death,
that is, the devil;
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage.
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took
on him the seed of Abraham.
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able
to succour them that are tempted.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ
Jesus;
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was
faithful in all his house.
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than
the house.
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all
things is God.
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant,
for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if
we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm
unto the end.
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his
voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness:
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty
years.
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do
alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart
of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning
of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not
your hearts, as in the provocation.
For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all
that came out of Egypt by Moses.
But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them
that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest,
but to them that believed not?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of
entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of
it.
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but
the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it.
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I
have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest:
although the works were finished from the foundation of the
world.
For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this
wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and
they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of
unbelief:
Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day,
after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his
voice, harden not your hearts.
For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward
have spoken of another day.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from
his own works, as God did from his.
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man
fall after the same example of unbelief.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than
any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his
sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him
with whom we have to do.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men
in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and
sacrifices for sins:
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are
out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with
infirmity.
And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for
himself, to offer for sins.
And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is
called of God, as was Aaron.
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest;
but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I
begotten thee.
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever
after the order of Melchisedec.
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that
was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he
feared;
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things
which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him;
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered,
seeing ye are dull of hearing.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need
that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and
not of strong meat.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let
us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this will we do, if God permit.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and
have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of
the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the
world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;
seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and
put him to an open shame.
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon
it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is
dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is
nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things
that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of
love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have
ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence
to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through
faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by
no greater, he sware by himself,
Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I
will multiply thee.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the
promise.
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for
confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of
promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an
oath:
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for
God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled
for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and
stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an
high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high
God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings,
and blessed him;
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King
of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither
beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son
of God; abideth a priest continually.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the
patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the
office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of
the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren,
though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes
of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the
better.
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed
tithes in Abraham.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met
him.
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for
under it the people received the law,) what further need was
there that another priest should rise after the order of
Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law.
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another
tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which
tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude
of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but
after the power of an endless life.
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order
of Melchisedec.
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going
before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a
better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an
oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not
repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec:)
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
And they truly were many priests, because they were not
suffered to continue by reason of death:
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them.
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens;
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up
sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's:
for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but
the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son,
who is consecrated for evermore.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have
such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne
of the Majesty in the heavens;
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which
the Lord pitched, and not man.
For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and
sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have
somewhat also to offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that
there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as
Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the
tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things
according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was
established upon better promises.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no
place have been sought for the second.
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come,
saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house
of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in
the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the
land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I
regarded them not, saith the Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws
into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be
to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man
his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from
the least to the greatest.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins
and their iniquities will I remember no more.
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine
service, and a worldly sanctuary.
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the
candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called
the sanctuary.
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the
Holiest of all;
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant
overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that
had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the
covenant;
And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of
which we cannot now speak particularly.
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went
always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of
God.
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year,
not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the
errors of the people:
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest
of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle
was yet standing:
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were
offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that
did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and
carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of
reformation.
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by
a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands,
that is to say, not of this building;
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood
he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us.
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an
heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh:
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament,
that by means of death, for the redemption of the
transgressions that were under the first testament, they which
are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the
death of the testator.
For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is
of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without
blood.
For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people
according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats,
with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both
the book, and all the people,
Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath
enjoined unto you.
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all
the vessels of the ministry.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and
without shedding of blood is no remission.
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the
heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,
which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now
to appear in the presence of God for us:
Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest
entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of
the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he
appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment:
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto
them that look for him shall he appear the second time without
sin unto salvation.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the
very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which
they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto
perfect.
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that
the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience
of sins.
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of
sins every year.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins.
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice
and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared
me:
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no
pleasure.
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is
written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings
and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure
therein; which are offered by the law;
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away
the first, that he may establish the second.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering
oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for
ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his
footstool.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified.
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that
he had said before,
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and
in their minds will I write them;
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for
sin.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest
by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having an high priest over the house of God;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our
bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to
good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for
sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or
three witnesses:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought
worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath
counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified,
an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of
grace?
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I
will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall
judge his people.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye
were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches
and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of
them that were so used.
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the
spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in
heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will
of God, ye might receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and
will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my
soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of
them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the
word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of
things which do appear.
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and
was not found, because God had translated him: for before his
translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by
the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and
he went out, not knowing whither he went.
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange
country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the
heirs with him of the same promise:
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder
and maker is God.
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive
seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age,
because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so
many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand
which is by the sea shore innumerable.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and
embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth.
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a
country.
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence
they came out, they might have had opportunity to have
returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he
hath prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he
that had received the promises offered up his only begotten
son,
Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the
dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to
come.
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of
Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of
the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his
bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his
parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were
not afraid of the king's commandment.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called
the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God,
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of
the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:
for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of
blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which
the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were
compassed about seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed
not, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell
of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of
David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight,
turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a
better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts,
and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,
received not the promise:
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without
us should not be made perfect.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the
race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who
for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the
throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you
as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of
the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son
whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for
what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers,
then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected
us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in
subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own
pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of
his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable
fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees;
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame
be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man
shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest
any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby
many be defiled;
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who
for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited
the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of
repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and
that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and
tempest,
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice
they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to
them any more:
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so
much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or
thrust through with a dart:
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly
fear and quake:)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable
company of angels,
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are
written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the
spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped
not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we
escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised,
saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also
heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those
things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those
things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us
have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence
and godly fear:
For our God is a consuming fire.
Let brotherly love continue.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares.
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them
which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but
whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will
not fear what man shall do unto me.
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken
unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the
end of their conversation.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it
is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not
with meats, which have not profited them that have been
occupied therein.
We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve
the tabernacle.
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the
sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the
camp.
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with
his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing
his reproach.
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to
his name.
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is
unprofitable for you.
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all
things willing to live honestly.
But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored
to you the sooner.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of
the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in
you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation:
for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom,
if he come shortly, I will see you.
Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the
saints. They of Italy salute you.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
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