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.
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 that 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:
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.