“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about THE CHRIST, let us
press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance
from dead works and of faith toward GOD,
2 of instruction about washings
and laying on of hands, and about the resurrection of the dead
and eternal judgment.
3 And this we will
do, if GOD
permits.
4 For it
is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened
and have tasted of THE
HEAVENLY GIFT and have been made partakers of the HOLY
SPIRIT,
5 and have tasted THE GOOD WORD OF GOD and
the powers of the age to come,
6 and then have fallen
away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify
to themselves THE SON
OF GOD and put HIM to open shame.
7 For ground that drinks
the rain which often falls on it and produces vegetation useful to
those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from GOD;
8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
9 But, beloved,
we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that [accompany
SALVATION,
even though we are speaking in this way.
10 For GOD is not unjust so
as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward HIS name,
by having served and by still serving the saints.
11 And we
desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence so as to
realize the full ASSURANCE
OF HOPE until the end,
12 so that
you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through FAITH AND ENDURANCE inherit
the promises.
14 saying,
‘Indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply you.’
15 And
so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.
16 For
people swear an oath by ONE
GREATER THAN THEMSELVES, and with them an oath serving as
confirmation is an end of every dispute.
17 In the
same way GOD, desiring even more to
demonstrate to the heirs of THE PROMISE the fact that HIS purpose is
unchangeable, confirmed it with an oath,
18 so that
by two unchangeable things in which IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE,
we who have taken REFUGE would have strong encouragement to hold firmly
to THE HOPE SET
BEFORE US.
19 THIS HOPE we have as
AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL,
A HOPE BOTH SURE AND
RELIABLE AND ONE WHICH ENTERS WITHIN THE VEIL,
20 where JESUS
has entered as A
FORERUNNER FOR US,
having become A HIGH PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
