into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.
(2)For to us were the glad tidings preached, as also to them; but the
word which they heard did not profit them, not being mingled with
faith in those who heard. (3)For we who believed enter into the rest,
as he said: As I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest,
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
(4)For he has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day thus: And
God rested on the seventh day from all his works; (5)and in this
again: They shall not enter into my rest.
(6)Since then it remains that some do enter into it, and they to whom
the glad tidings were first preached entered not in because of
unbelief, again (7)he limits a certain day, To-day, (saying in David,
after so long a time, as has before been said,)
To-day, if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts.
(8)For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not, after this, have
spoken of another day.
(9)So then, there remains a Sabbath-rest to the people of God. (10)For
he that entered into his rest, himself rested from his works, as God
did from his own. (11)Let us therefore endeavor to enter into that
rest, that no one may fall into the same example of unbelief.
(12)For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart. (13)And there is no creature that is not manifest in his
sight; but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with
whom we have to do.
(14)Having therefore a great high priest, who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
(15)For we have not a high priest who can not be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities, but who has in all points been tempted in
like manner, without sin. (16)Let us therefore come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need.
V.
FOR every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for
men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and
sacrifices for sins; (2)being able to bear with the ignorant and
erring, since he himself also is encompassed with infirmity; (3)and on
account of it he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to
make offering for sins. (4)And no one takes to himself the honor, but
being called by God, as was also Aaron. (5)So also Christ did not
glorify himself to be made high priest, but he who spoke to him:
Thou art my Son,
I this day have begotten thee;
(6)as also in another place, he says:
Thou art a priest forever,
After the order of Melchizedek;
(7)who, in the days of his flesh offering up prayers and
supplications, with strong crying and tears, to him who was able to
save him from death, and being heard on account of his godly fear,
(8)though a Son yet learned from what he suffered the [required]
obedience, (9)and being perfected became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey him; (10)called by God, High Priest[5:10],
after the order of Melchizedek.
(11)Of whom we have much to say, and hard to be explained, since ye
have become dull of hearing. (12)For though ye ought, on account of
the time, to be teachers, ye again have need that some one teach you
the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such as
have need of milk, and not of solid food. (13)For every one who
partakes of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness; for he
is a child. (14)But solid food belongs to those who are of full age,
who by use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
VI.
WHEREFORE, leaving the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, let
us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance
from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2)of the doctrine of
immersions, and of the laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of
the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3)And this we will do[6:3], if God
permit. (4)For it is impossible that they who have once been
enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and been made
partakers of the Holy Spirit, (5)and have tasted the good word of God,
and the powers of the world to come, (6)and have fallen away, should
again be renewed to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the
Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame. (7)For the earth which
has drunk in the rain oft coming upon it, and brings forth herbs fit
for those for whose sake it is tilled, receives blessing from God;
(8)but if it bears thorns and briers it is rejected, and is near to
cursing; whose end is to be burned.
(9)But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things concerning you, and
things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. (10)For God is
not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye showed
toward his name, in that ye ministered and still do minister to the
saints.
(11)But we desire that each one of you show the same diligence, for
the full assurance of the hope unto the end; (12)that ye may not
become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience
inherit the promises. (13)For when God made the promise to Abraham,
because he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself,
(14)saying: Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will
multiply thee. (15)And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the
promise. (16)For men indeed swear by the greater; and the oath is to
them an end of all gainsaying, for a confirmation. (17)Wherein God,
wishing more abundantly to show to the heirs of the promise the
immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; (18)that by two
immutable things, in which it is impossible that God should lie, we
may have strong encouragement, who fled for refuge to lay hold on the
hope set before us, (19)which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure
and steadfast, and entering within the vail; (20)where as forerunner
for us Jesus entered, having become a high priest forever, after the
order of Melchizedek.
VII.
FOR this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who
met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed
him; (2)to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all; first indeed
being interpreted King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem,
which is, King of peace; (3)without father, without mother, without
table of descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of
life[7:3], but likened to the Son of God, remains a priest
continually.
(4)Now consider how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch
also gave a tenth of the spoils. (5)And they indeed 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 have come out of the loins of
Abraham; (6)but he whose descent is not reckoned from them has taken
tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who had the promises. (7)And
without any contradiction, the less is blessed by the better. (8)And
here indeed men who die receive tithes; but there, one of whom it is
testified that he lives. (9)And so to speak, Levi also, who receives
tithes, has paid tithes in Abraham; (10)for he was yet in the loins of
his father, when Melchizedek met him.
(11)If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for
under it the people have received the law), what further need was
there that a different priest should arise, after the order of
Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (12)For the
priesthood being changed, of necessity there comes also a change of
law. (13)For he of whom these things are spoken pertains to a
different tribe, of which no one has given attendance at the altar.
(14)For it is evident that our Lord has arisen out of Judah; of which
tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. (15)And it is yet more
abundantly manifest, if after the similitude of Melchizedek there
arises a different priest, (16)who has been made, not after the law of
a carnal commandment, but after the power of an indissoluble life.
(17)For it is testified of him:
Thou art a priest forever;
After the order of Melchizedek.
(18)For on the one hand, there is an annulling of the commandment that
went before, on account of its weakness and unprofitableness,--(19)for
the law perfected nothing,--and on the other the bringing in of a
better hope, by which we draw near to God.
(20)And inasmuch as it was not without an oath,--(21)for they indeed
were made priests without an oath, but he with an oath by him who said
to him: The Lord swore and will not repent, thou art a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek[7:21],--(22)by so much has Jesus become
a surety of a better covenant. (23)And they indeed have been many
priests, because they were hindered by death from continuing; (24)but
he, because he remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
(25)Whence also he is able to save to the utmost those who come to God
through him, since he ever lives to intercede for them.
(26)For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled,
separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (27)who has
not necessity daily, as the high priests, to offer up sacrifices,
first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; for this he
did once for all, in offering up himself. (28)For the law makes men
high priests who have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was
since the law, makes the Son, who is perfected forever.
VIII.
NOW of the things which we are saying, this is the chief: We have such
a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty of the heavens; (2)a minister of the holy places, and of the
true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
(3)For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;
wherefore it is necessary, that this one have something which he may
offer. (4)For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since
there are those who offer gifts according to the law, (5)who minister
after an outline and a shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was
admonished by God, when he was about to make the tabernacle; for, See,
says he, that thou make all things according to the pattern which was
showed thee in the mount. (6)But now he has obtained a more excellent
ministry, by so much as he is also mediator of a better covenant,
which has been established upon better promises.
(7)For if that first had been faultless, a place would not have been
sought for the second. (8)For finding fault with them, he says[8:8]:
Behold the days are coming, saith the Lord,
When I will make with the house of Israel,
And with the house of Judah, a new covenant;
(9)Not according to the covenant that I made for their fathers,
In the day when I took hold of their hand,
To bring them out of the land of Egypt;
Because they continued not in my covenant,
And I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
(10)For this is the covenant that I will establish for
the house of Israel,
After those days, saith the Lord,
Putting my laws into their mind,
And on their hearts I will write them;
And I will be to them a God,
And they shall be to me a people;
(11)And they shall not teach,
Each one his neighbor, and each one his brother,
Saying: Know the Lord;
Because all shall know me, from the least to the greatest;
(12)Because I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
And their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.
(13)In that he says, A new, he has made the first old. Now that which
is grown old, and worn out with age, is ready to vanish away.
IX.
NOW the first had indeed also ordinances of service, and the worldly
sanctuary. (2)For a tabernacle was prepared; the first, wherein is the
lamp-stand, and the table, and the show-bread; which is called holy.
(3)And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called most
holy, (4)having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant
overlaid on every side with gold, wherein was the golden pot
containing the manna, and the rod of Aaron which budded, and the
tables of the covenant; (5)and above it the cherubim of glory
overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which we can not now speak
particularly.
(6)Now these things being thus prepared, into the first tabernacle the
priests enter at all times, performing the services; (7)but into the
second, the high priest alone, once every year, not without blood,
which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people; (8)the
Holy Spirit signifying this, that the way into the holy places has not
yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing;
(9)which is a figure for the time present, under which are offered
both gifts and sacrifices, unable as to the conscience to perfect the
worshiper; (10)only with meats and drinks[9:10], and divers
immersions, ordinances of the flesh, imposed until the time of
reformation. (11)But Christ, having come as a high priest of the good
things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not
made with hands (that is, not of this creation), (12)and not through
the blood of goats and calves but through his own blood, entered once
for all into the holy places, obtaining eternal redemption. (13)For if
the blood of goats and bulls, and ashes of a heifer sprinkling those
who have been defiled, sanctifies to the purity of the flesh; (14)how
much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God? (15)And for this cause he is mediator
of a new covenant, in order that, death having taken place, for the
redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, they who
have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
(16)For where there is a testament[9:16], there must also of necessity
be brought in the death of the testator. (17)For a testament is of
force after men are dead; since it is of no strength at all while the
testator lives.
(18)Wherefore, neither has the first been dedicated without blood.
(19)For, when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people
according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and of the
goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both
the book itself and all the people, saying: (20)This is the blood of
the covenant, which God enjoined in respect to you. (21)And moreover,
the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the service, he in like manner
sprinkled with blood. (22)And nearly all things are cleansed according
to the law with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no
remission.
(23)It was therefore necessary, that the outlines of things in the
heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things
themselves, with better sacrifices than these. (24)For Christ entered
not into holy places made with hands, figures of the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; (25)nor
yet that he should many times offer himself, as the high priest enters
into the holy places every year with blood of others; (26)for then
must he many times have suffered since the foundation of the world;
but now once, in the end of the ages, he has been manifested for the
putting away of sin by the sacrifice of himself[9:26]. (27)And
inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the
judgment; (28)so also the Christ, having been once offered to bear the
sins of many, will to those who look for him appear a second time
without sin, unto salvation.
X.
FOR the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very
image of the things, can never, with the same sacrifices which they
offer year by year continually, make those who come to them[10:1]
perfect. (2)For then would they not have ceased to be offered, because
the worshipers would have had no more consciousness of sins, having
once been cleansed? (3)But in them there is a remembrance of sins year
by year. (4)For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins. (5)Wherefore, when he comes into the world, he
says:
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not,
But a body didst thou prepare for me;
(6)In whole burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin,
thou hadst no pleasure.
(7)Then said I: Lo, I come,
In the volume of the book it is written of me,
To do thy will, O God.
(8)Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt-offerings
and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, nor hadst pleasure therein,
which are offered by the law, (9)then has he said: Lo, I come to do
thy will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the
second. (10)In which will we have been sanctified, through the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
(11)And every priest[10:11] indeed stands daily ministering, and
offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away
sins; (12)but he, having offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat
down on the right hand of God; (13)from henceforth expecting until his
enemies be made his footstool. (14)For by one offering he has
perfected forever those who are sanctified. (15)Moreover, the Holy
Spirit also is a witness to us; for after he had said, (16)This is the
covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord,
putting my laws upon their hearts, and on their minds I will write
them, [he further says,] (17)and their sins and iniquities I will
remember no more. (18)But where there is remission of these, there is
no longer offering for sin.
(19)Having therefore, brethren, boldness as to the entrance into the
holy places by the blood of Jesus, which [entrance] he instituted for
us, (20)a new and living way, through the vail, that is to say, his
flesh; (21)and having a great priest over the house of God; (22)Let us
draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having had our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience; and having had our body
washed with pure water, (23)let us hold fast the profession of the
hope without wavering, for he is faithful who promised; (24)and let us
consider one another, to incite to love and to good works; (25)not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the custom of
some, but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day
approaching.
(26)For if we willingly sin, after having received the knowledge of
the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (27)but a
certain fearful looking for of judgment, and a fiery indignation,
which will devour the adversaries. (28)He that despised Moses' law
died without mercy, under two or three witnesses. (29)Of how much
worse punishment, suppose ye, will he be thought worthy, who has
trodden under foot the Son of God, and has accounted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done
despite to the Spirit of grace? (30)For we know him who said: To me
belongs vengeance; I will recompense, saith the Lord; and again: The
Lord will judge his people. (31)It is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God.
(32)But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were
enlightened, ye endured a great contest of sufferings; (33)partly,
whilst ye were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions;
and partly, whilst ye became partakers with those who were so used.
(34)For ye sympathized with those in bonds, and ye took joyfully the
plundering of your goods, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better
and an enduring substance.
(35)Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great
recompense of reward. (36)For ye have need of patience, that having
done the will of God ye may receive the promise. (37)For yet a little
while, he that is to come will come, and will not delay. (38)Now, the
just shall live by faith; but if he draw back, my soul has no pleasure
in him. (39)But we are not of those who draw back unto perdition; but
of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
XI.
NOW faith is the assurance of things hoped for[11:1], the conviction
of things not seen. (2)For in this the elders obtained a good report.
(3)Through faith we perceive that the worlds were framed by the word
of God, so that what is seen has not arisen[11:3] out of things which
appear.
(4)By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
by which he received testimony that he was righteous, God testifying
of his gifts; and through it, being dead, he yet speaks.
(5)By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he
was not found, because God translated him; for before his translation,
he has had the testimony that he pleased God. (6)But without faith it
is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder to those who seek after him.
(7)By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning things not yet seen,
moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which
he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is
according to faith.
(8)By faith Abraham when called obeyed, to go forth into a place which
he should afterward receive for an inheritance, and went forth, not
knowing whither he went. (9)By faith he sojourned in the land of
promise, as a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob,
heirs with him of the same promise; (10)for he looked for the city
which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
(11)By faith Sarah herself also received power to conceive seed, even
when she was past age, because she accounted him faithful who had
promised. (12)Wherefore also there sprang from one, and him become as
dead, even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which
is by the sea shore innumerable.
(13)These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them from afar, and greeted them, and professed that they
were strangers and sojourners on the earth. (14)For they that say such
things declare plainly, that they are seeking a country. (15)And if
indeed, they had in mind that from which they came out, they would
have had opportunity to return. (16)But now[11:16] they desire a
better, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God; for he prepared for them a city.
(17)By faith Abraham, when tried, has offered up Isaac; and he who had
accepted the promises offered up his only begotten, (18)of whom it was
said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called; (19)accounting that God is
able even to raise from the dead; whence he also received him back in
a figure.
(20)By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come.
(21)By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph;
and he worshiped, [leaning] on the top of his staff.
(22)By faith Joseph, when dying, made mention of the departure of the
sons of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.
(23)By faith Moses, when born, was hidden three months by his parents,
because they saw that the child was fair; and they feared not the
king's commandment.
(24)By faith Moses, when grown up, refused to be called son of a
daughter of Pharaoh; (25)choosing rather to suffer affliction with the
people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
(26)esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures
of Egypt; for he looked for the reward.
(27)By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for
he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
(28)Through faith he has kept the passover, and the affusion of the
blood, that he who destroyed the first-born might not touch them.
(29)By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land; which the
Egyptians attempting were swallowed up.
(30)By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after they had been
encompassed during seven days.
(31)By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who believed
not[11:31], after having received the spies with peace.
(32)And why say I more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon,
of Barak and Samson and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the
prophets; (33)who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
(34)quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from
weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, turned to flight the
armies of the aliens.
(35)Women received their dead, by resurrection to life; and others
were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a
better resurrection.