The Letter To the Hebrews

Hebrews 1

God's Complete Revelation, His Son

1 God, having spoken in the past to the fathers through the prophets in many parts and in various ways,

2 Has in these last days spoken to us through his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also made the ages;

3 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 provided purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4 Having become so much superior to the heavenly messengers since he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. (YAH-shua = GOD-is-Salvation = JESUS)

The Son is Far Above Heavenly Messengers

5 For to which of the messengers did he ever say: “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? And again: “I will be a Father to him, and he will be a Son to me”?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "And let all of God's messengers worship him."

7 But of the heavenly messengers he says, “Who makes his messengers winds, and his servants a flame of fire.”

8 But to the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom. [Literally, to the age of the age.]

9 You have loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.

10 And, "You, O Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of your hands:

11 They will perish; but you remain; and they all will grow old like a garment;

12 And like a cloak you will roll them up, and they will be changed: but you are the same, and your years will not cease."

13 But to which of the messengers has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool"?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 2

Do Not Neglect Such a Great Salvation

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

2 For if the word spoken through messengers was stedfast, and every violation and failure to listen received a just reward;

3 How will we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation; which was first announced by the LORD, and was confirmed to us by those who heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

Jesus Made Lower tha heavenly messengers

5 For he has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to heavenly messengers.

6 But someone somewhere has testified, saying, “What is man that you are mindful of him, Or the son of man that you take care of him?

7 You made him a little lower than the heavenly messengers; you crowned him with glory and honor; and set him over the works of your hands.

8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." Since he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the heavenly messengers for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that by God's gracious favor he might taste death for everyone.

Jesus Made Like His Brothers and Sisters

10 For it was fitting for him, from whom all things are and through whom are all things, to bring many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he who makes holy and those who are being made holy are all of one: for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,

12 Saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will sing praises to you."

13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, here am I and the children whom God has given to me.”

14 Since then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he himself likewise also shared in the same; that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And free those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to slavery.

16 For indeed, he did not take on the nature of heavenly messengers; but he took on the nature of the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore in all things he had to be made like his brothers and sisters, that he might be a compassionate and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself has suffered being tested and tempted, he is able to help those who are tested and tempted.

Hebrews 3

Jesus Has More Glory Than Moses

1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus;

2 Who was faithful to him who appointed him, as Moses also was faithful in all his house.

3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who has built the house has more honor than the house.

4 For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God.

5 And Moses truly was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later;

6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold on tightly to the confidence and the rejoicing of the expectation firm to the end.

Warning Against Unbelief

7 Therefore (as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you will hear his voice,

8 Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of testing and temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers testing me, tempted me, and saw my works 40 years.

11 So I swore in my anger, 'They will not enter into my rest.' ")

12 Beware, brothers and sisters, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But encourage one another daily, while it is called 'Today'; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we become participants and partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end;

15 While it is said, "Today if you will hear his voice, don't harden your hearts, as in the provocation."

16 For who, having heard, provoked God? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?

17 But with whom was he disgusted 40 years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who did not believe?

19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4

There Is a Rest for the People of God

1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering his rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

2 For the Good News was proclaimed to us, as well as to them: but the word which they heard didn't profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said: “So I swore in my anger, 'They will not enter into my rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day in this way, "And God rested the seventh day from all his works."

5 And again in this place, "They will not enter into my rest."

6 Therefore since it remains that some must enter it, but those to whom it was first proclaimed did not enter it because of disbelief:

7 Again, he designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then he would not have after that spoken of another day.

9 Therefore there remains a rest for the people of God.

10 For whoever has entered his rest has themself also ceased from their own works as God did from his.

11 Therefore endeavor to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disbelief.

God's Word

12 For God's Word is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

13 And there is no creature hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Our High Priest Tempted Like Us

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, who has passed into the heavens, Jesus, God's Son, let's hold on tightly to our confession.

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses; but he was tested and tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin.

16 Therefore let's come boldly before the throne of his gracious favor, that we may obtain compassion, and find gracious favor to help in time of need.

Hebrews 5

Christ, Our Eternal High Priest

1 For every high priest taken from among the people is appointed for the people in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2 Who can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.

4 And no one takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ didn't glorify himself to become High Priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have begotten you.”

6 As he also says in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and was heard because of his reverential fear;

8 Though he was a Son, yet he learned to listen submissively from the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all of those who listen obediently to him;

10 Called by God as a High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek."

The Dull of Hearing Have Need of Milk

11 Of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12 For though by this time you should be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for they are an infant.

14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6

Grow Into Maturity

1 Therefore being sent forth from the first principles of the word of Christ, let us go on to maturity; not laying again the foundation of change of heart and mind concering dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this we will do, if God permits.

4 For it's impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5 And have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the age to come,

6 If they should fall away, to renew them again to a changed mind; seeing they crucify to themselves God's Son afresh, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God:

8 But if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

Evidence of Salvation

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.

10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward his name, in that you have served God's holy people, and do serve them.

11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of expectation until the end,

12 That you do not become lazy, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Gods Promise Is Unchangeable

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,

14 Saying, “Surely with blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply you.”

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For people indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

17 So God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable things, in that it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the expectation set before us:

19 This expectation we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil;

20 Where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become a High Priest throughout eternity according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7

Melchizedek Was Greater than Abraham

1 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 Abraham also gave a tenth part of everything; first being translated “King of Righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “King of Peace,”

3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but being similar to God's Son; remains a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even our forefather Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers and sisters, though they have come from the loins of Abraham:

6 But he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

7 And beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 But here people who die receive tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is testified that he lives.

9 And so to speak, Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham.

10 For he was still in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

Jesus Is a Priest Like Melchizedek

11 Therefore, if indeed perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there be that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

13 For he of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, of which no man has ever served at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest,

16 Who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

17 For he testifies, "You are a priest, throughout eternity, according to the order of Melchizedek."

18 For indeed on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness:

19 For the law made nothing perfect; but on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better expectation, through which we draw near to God.

20 And since he was not made a priest without an oath:

21 (For they have become priests without an oath, but he with an oath by him who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not regret it, ‘You are a priest, throughout eternity, according to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

22 By so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.

24 But he, because he continues to live throughout eternity, has an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

27 Who doesn't need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people's, for this he did once for all when he offered up himself.

28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfect throughout eternity.

Hebrews 8

Jesus Is High Priest of the New Covenant

1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

2 A minister of the holy place, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: therefore it is of necessity that this man have something also to offer.

4 For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

5 Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For he said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as he is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

8 For finding fault with them, he says, "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

9 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 didn't continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be God to them, and they will be to me a people:

11 And none of them will teach their neighbor, and none their brother or sister, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

12 For I will be compassionate toward their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

13 In that he says, "A New Covenant," he has made the first obsolete. Now that which is obsolete and deteriorating is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 9

Service in the First Covenant Tabernacle

1 Now indeed, even the First Tabernacle had ordinances of divine service and an earthly holy place.

2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the Holy Place;

3 And behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,

4 Which had the golden censer and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant;

5 And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the Atonement-Seat. (Right now we can't speak of these things in detail.)

6 Now when these things had thus been prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.

7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year: but not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance;

8 The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All had not yet been revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.

9 Which was symbolic for the present time in which both the gifts and sacrifices which are offered cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience;

10 Concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of restoration.

Christ, A New Tabernacle, Sacrifice, and Covenant

11 But Christ came as 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 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.

13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more will 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 reason he is the mediator of a New Covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the offenses that were committed under the First Covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

The Mediator’s Death Was Necessary

16 For where a will is in effect, there must also of necessity be the death of the one who made the will.

17 For a will is in force after people have died: otherwise it has no power at all while the maker lives.

18 Therefore even the First Covenant was not enacted without blood.

19 For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people,

20 Saying, “This is the blood of the Covenant which God has commanded you.”

21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no pardoning of sin.

Christ’s Sacrifice of Himself Is Better

23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with the blood of another;

26 For then he would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed for people to die once, but after that the judgment:

28 So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for him he will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 10

Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, but not the very likeness of those things, with those sacrifices which they offered continually year by year it is never able make the ones approaching perfect.

2 For then wouldn't they have ceased to be offered? Because the worshipers once cleansed would have had no more consciousness of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

4 For it's impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins.

Christ’s Sacrifice Is Once for All

5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but you have prepared a body for me:

6 You had no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.

7 Then I said, 'Behold, I come (in the volume of the book it's written of me,) to do your will, O God.' "

8 Above when he said, "Sacrifice and offering, and burnt offerings, and offering for sin you did not desire, nor have pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law),

9 Then he said, "Behold, I come to do your will, O God." He takes away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By his will we are made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ’s One Sacrifice Is Forever

11 Yet indeed every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God;

13 From that time on waiting until his enemies are made his footstool.

14 For by one offering he has perfected throughout eternity those who are made holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after he had said before,

16 "This is the Covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put  my laws into their hearts, and I will write them in their minds,"

17 Then he adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

18 Now where there is a pardoning of these things, there is no longer required an offering for sin.

Draw Near in Assurance and Hold Fast

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have boldness to enter into the Holiest Place of all by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having such a High Priest over the house of God;

22 Let's draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let's hold on tightly to the confession of our faith, without wavering, because he who promised is faithful.

24 And let's consider how to sharpen one another on to love and good deeds.

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but encouraging one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which will devour the adversaries.

28 Anyone who rejected Moses’ law died without compassion on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will they be deemed entitled who have trampled God's Son underfoot, counting the blood of the covenant by which they were made holy a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of gracious favor?

30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”

31 It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:

33 Partly, while you were made a public spectacle both by tauntings and persecutions, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;

34 For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

35 Therefore do not throw away your bold declaration, which has great reward.

36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done God's will, you might receive the promise.

37 “For yet in a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.

We Are Not of Them Who Draw Back

38 Now the righteous will live by faith; But if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in them.”

39 But we are not of those who draw back to utter destruction, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 11

Faith Defined and Understood

1 Now faith is the substance of things expected, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the ages were created by God's Word, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

The Faith of Early Saints

4 By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice to God than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was transported to Heaven so that he should not see death; "and was not found, because God had transported him:" for before his transfer he had received this testimony, that "He pleased God."

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for whoever comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

The Faith of Abraham

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he would later receive for an inheritance, listened obediently and went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

10 For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the heaven in multitude, innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but being convinced of them from a distance were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth.

14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had an opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one: therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac: and he who had received the promises offered up his only born son.

18 Of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed will be called,"

19 Concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.

24 By faith Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; [Literally, became big.]

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn of Egypt should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as on dry land: whereas the Egyptians attempting to do so were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were encircled seven days.

Many Were Faithful

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more can I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

33 Who by faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in war, turned to flight the armies of foreigners.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tested and tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise:

40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Hebrews 12

Run the Race and Look to Jesus

1 Therefore seeing that we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and perfector of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Gods Loving Discipline

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the correction of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are scolded by him;

6 For the Lord corrects those whom he loves, and he spanks every son whom he receives."

7 If you endure discipline, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not correct?

8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

9 Furthermore, we have had fleshly fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shouldn’t we much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days corrected us as seemed best to them, but he for our benefit, that we may share in his holiness.

11 Now no correction seems to be joyful for the present, but sad; nevertheless, after that it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

13 And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Come in Holiness to God

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest anyone falls short of God's gracious favor; lest any root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by this many become defiled;

16 Lest there be any immoral or ungodly person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal.

17 For you know that after that, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of heart and mind, though he sought it diligently with tears. [Note: From Genesis 27:30-38 it doesn't appear that Esau had "a change of heart or mind" but rather was trying to change Jacob's mind.]

18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and storm,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, "If so much as an animal touches the mountain, it will be stoned or shot with an arrow."

21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I exceedingly fear and tremble." )

Come to Gods Great Work

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of messengers,

23 To the general assembly and congregation of the firstborn, who are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of everyone, and to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaks better things than that of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape who refused him who spoke on earth, much more we will not escape if we turn away from him who speaks from heaven:

Our Kingdom Is Eternal

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven."

27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us take hold of God's gracious favor, through which we may acceptably serve God with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13

How to Walk As Believers

1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained heavenly messengers  without knowing it.

3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them; and those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are also in the body.

4 Let marriage be held in honor by all, and the bed undefiled: but God will judge those who are sexually immoral and adulterers.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he himself said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

6 So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what a person can do to me!"

Instructions in Worship

7 Remember those who lead you, who have spoken God's Word to you: whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their behavior.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and throughout eternity.

9 Don’t be carried about with various and strange teachings. For it's good for the heart to be stabilized by God's gracious favor; not by foods which have not benefited those who have been occupied with them.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

12 Therefore Jesus also, that he might make the people holy with his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 Therefore let's go out to him, outside the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here we do not have a city which will remain, but we seek the one to come.

15 Therefore through him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.

16 But do not forget to do good and to share: for with such sacrifices God is very pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders, and be submissive, because they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joy and not with sighing, for that wouldn't be beneficial to you.

Request for Prayer

18 Pray for us: for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

Benediction and Conclusion

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you complete in every good deed to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to him be glory throughout the ages of the ages. Amen! (Indeed!)

22 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters bear with this word of advise and encouragement, for I have written to you in few words.

23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

24 Greet all your leaders and all of God's holy people, also those from Italy send you greetings.

25 Gracious favor be with you all!

Amen! (Indeed!)