The Readable Bible: Hebrews - Jude by Iron Stream Media

Hebrews – Jude

The Readable Bible

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Hebrews – Jude

Letters to the Churches

Translated and Edited by Rodney S. Laughlin Brendan I. Kennedy, PhD

Birmingham, Alabama The Readable Bible

The Readable Bible: Hebrews–Jude

Iron Stream

An imprint of Iron Stream Media 100 Missionary Ridge Birmingham, AL 35242 www.ironstreammedia.com

The Readable Bible text may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic, or audio) up to and inclusive of ﬁve hundred verses without express written permission of the publisher provided that (a) the verses quoted do not account for more than 25 percent of the total work in which they are quoted, (b) no more than 25 percent of a book of the Bible is quoted, (c) all quotations conform accurately to The Readable Bible text, and (d) one of the following credit lines appears on the copyright page or title page of the work:

When quotations from The Readable Bible text are used in not-for-sale media (e.g., church bulletins, orders of service, newsletters, digital presentations), a copyright notice is not required, but the initials “TRB” must appear at the end of each quotation. Websites and blogs may quote up to ﬁve hundred verses without express written permission provided they include the initials “TRB” at the end of each quotation and provided that the verses quoted account for not more than 25 percent of any web page upon which they appear and that no more than 25 percent of a book of the Bible is quoted.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2022938636

Cover design: twoline | | Studio

Interior designer/illustrator: Clyde Adams (www.clydeadams.com)

Map geographic features courtesy of Bible Mapper (www.biblemapper.com).

Typeface: Veritas AE from Altered Ego Fonts, a division of Aespire

1 2 3 4 5—26 25 24 23 22

v Contents Preface xi To the Reader xi Acknowledgments................................................................... xii Dedication ........................................................................... xii Before You Read ......................................................................... xiii How to Read a New Testament Letter ................................................. xiii Map: Locations in the Bible Letters xiv Hebrews .................................................................................... 1 James ...................................................................................... 29 1 Peter ..................................................................................... 38 2 Peter 50 1 John 56 2 John 66 3 John 67 Jude 68 Bible Letters Glossary .................................................................... 72 Familiar Verses Hebrews .............................................................................. 83 James ................................................................................. 85 1 Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 2 Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 1 John ................................................................................. 88 2 John ................................................................................. 89 3 John ................................................................................. 89 Jude ................................................................................... 89 People List Hebrews .............................................................................. 90 James ................................................................................. 91 Peter’s Letters ........................................................................ 91 John’s Letters ......................................................................... 92 Jude ................................................................................... 92 Subject Index ............................................................................. 93 The Jewish Calendar 100 Translation Notes ...................................................................... 101 Format and Presentation Notes ....................................................... 102 Note on Spurious Text ................................................................. 103 Note on Quotations of Old Testament Scripture ..................................... 103 Note on the Dates of Events 103 Nonliteral Words and Phrases Not Footnoted ....................................... 104

Part 1. The Preeminence

He Is God’s Son and God

Is Above the Angels

First Warning: Pay Attention

He Is Our Redeemer

He Is Greater Than Moses

Warning: Against Unbelief

Note: Belief in Him Brings

Is Our Great, Compassionate

Third Warning: Against Laziness

Immaturity

Fourth Warning: Against Useless Works

God Is Just

God Keeps His Promises

He Is Greater Than the Levitical Priests.................................................

He Is a Priest Forever, the Guarantor of a Better Covenant

He Is a Priest Who Saves

He Is a Priest at the Right Hand of God

The Need for a New Covenant

The Two Tabernacles

The Limitation of the Earthly

The Tabernacle

The Glory of the Heavenly Tabernacle

He Is the Mediator of a New Covenant

The Relationship of Covenants and Death

Sacriﬁce Is Once for All People and All Time......................................

vi Hebrews The Writer and the Audience ............................................................ 1 The Purpose of the Letter ................................................................. 1

of Jesus Hebrews 1

Himself ........................................................ 2 He

................................................................... 2 Hebrews 2

........................................................ 3

....................................................................... 4 Hebrews 3

................................................................ 5 Second

5 Hebrews 4

Rest 6 He

High Priest 8 Hebrews 5

and

................................ 9 Hebrews 6

......................................... 10 Note:

..................................................................... 10 Note:

10 Hebrews 7

............................ 12

Completely ................................................... 13 Hebrews 8

................................................. 13 Note:

13 Hebrews 9 Note:

........................................................ 15 1.

Tabernacle 15 Illustration:

.............................................. . 15 2.

16 Note:

................................. 17 His

Part 2. The Life of Faith

Call to Persevere in Faith

Warning: Against Deliberate

The Deﬁnition and Reality of Faith

Embrace by Faith, Then Receive

The Attitude and Actions of Persevering Faith (Part 1)

The Joy of Mount Zion Is Our Motivation

Warning: Accept

The Attitude and Actions of Persevering Faith (Part 2)

Note: Jesus Alone, Not Works, Makes Us Holy

and Final Greetings

James

The Writer

Purpose of the Letter

James 1

Address and Greetings 30

Trials with Joy

Wisdom

Your Place

Temptation

Gifts and Giving

Self-Control

on God’s Word

No Favoritism

Your Faith

Respect Teachers

of the Tongue’s

Deeds

James 2

James 3

Your Wisdom by Your Works

Your Passions

vii Hebrews 10

................................................................. 19 Fifth

Sin ............................................. 20 Hebrews 11

..................................................... 21 Note:

22 Hebrews 12

25 Note:

.................................. 26 Sixth

God’s Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

................................ 27 Hebrews 13

28 Benediction

........................................................ 28

................................................................................ 29 The

Face

....................................................................... 30 Get

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Know

30 Understand

................................................................. 30 Understand

31 Practice

..................................................................... 31 Act

....................................................................... 31

Show

...................................................................... 32 Complete

with

33 Beware

Power ........................................................... 33 Show

.................................................... 34 Control

The Letters of Peter

viii James 4 Ask with Right Motives .................................................................. 35 Seek God and Submit to Him ............................................................ 35 Recognize God’s Sovereignty (Part 1) .................................................... 36 Do the Right Thing ....................................................................... 36 James 5 Beware If You Are Rich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Be Patient 36 Be Truthful ................................................................................ 37 Recognize God’s Sovereignty (Part 2) .................................................... 37 Lead Wandering Believers Back to God 37

The Writer ................................................................................ 38 The Purpose of 1 Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 The Purpose of 2 Peter 38 1 Peter Part 1. Introduction 1 Peter 1 Address and Greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Thanksgiving 39 Part 2. Call to Holiness A. Prepare Your Minds ................................................................... 40 1 Peter 2 B. Live as Stones, Chosen People ........................................................ 41 C. Live Free in Submission and Love .................................................... 42 1. In the Community 42 2. In the Household.................................................................. 43 1 Peter 3 D. Prepare to Suffer ....................................................................... 45 1. Gently and Purposefully .......................................................... 45 Note: Jesus’ Descent ................................................................. 45 Note: The Ark and Baptism ......................................................... 46 1 Peter 4 2. With Christlikeness............................................................... 46

Call to

Peter

The Letters of John

John

ix 3. With an Eye on the End 47 4. Praising God ....................................................................... 47 Part 3. Instructions Regarding Elders 1 Peter 5 Shepherd the Flock ....................................................................... 48 Part 4.

Christlikeness Clothe Yourself with Humility ........................................................... 49 Final Greetings 49 2

Part 1. Introduction 2 Peter 1 Greeting ................................................................................... 50 Conﬁrm Your Calling by Your Behavior................................................ 50 Why Peter Writes ........................................................................ 51 Part 2. False Teachers 2

2 Beware of False Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Note: God’s Judgment on False Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 2 Peter 3 Live with Your Eye on the Future ........................................................ 54

The Writer ................................................................................ 56 Occasion and Purpose of the Letters .................................................... 56 1

1 John 1 Note: Why John Wrote (Part 1) ..................................................... 57 The Message from God .................................................................. 57 1

2 Note: Why John Wrote (Part 2) ..................................................... 58 Our Obedience and Our Belief .......................................................... 58 Callout: Commands or Commandments? 58 Note: Why John Wrote (Part 3) ..................................................... 58

John

2 John

3 John

x Love of Believers Conﬁrms Our Belief 58 Note: Why John Wrote (Part 4) ..................................................... 59 Remain in God, Not in the World ....................................................... 59 Note: Why John Wrote (Part 5) 60 1 John 3 We Are God’s Children .................................................................. 60 Love One Another ........................................................................ 61 1 John 4 Test the Spirits ............................................................................ 62 The Primacy of Love ...................................................................... 63 1

5 Eternal Life Is in Jesus .................................................................... 64 Pray for Sinning Believers................................................................ 65

Address and Greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Live According to the Truth .............................................................. 66 Beware of Deceivers ...................................................................... 66

Address and Greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Rejoicing and Encouragement 67 Jude The Writer and the Audience ........................................................... 68 Address 69 The Purpose of the Letter ................................................................ 69 Warning Against Rebellion.............................................................. 69 Remember and Remain Faithful ........................................................ 71 Praise to God 71

To the Reader

One day I was standing in an airport bookstore looking for a book to read. I asked myself, “Why am I looking for something to read when I have a Bible in my briefcase?” I answered, “The Bible is hard to read. I want to read something easier.” Then I asked myself, “Why is it so hard to read? You’re a seminary graduate, a former pastor, a Bible teacher!” Thus began a quest that has led to The Readable Bible—the Bible as it would look if Moses, Joshua, Matthew, Mark, Paul, and the other writers had been sitting in front of a computer when God spoke through them.

It seems to me that the Bible is hard to read because all material is presented in sentence format. Today we use tables to present census information and charts for genealogies. When we want something built, we draw up a speciﬁcation document. Law codes are organized in outline form. We use bullet points, bold text, and other aids to help us grasp information. Yet in today’s Bibles, all the information is still presented in sentence format in plain text. Surely those men of old would have used modern formats if they had known about them when God spoke through them. Modern formatting does not change the information; it simply presents it in a way that makes it easier to grasp. The Readable Bible brings you the biblical text in modern formats.

You may struggle with the idea of Scripture in modern formats. Actually, all of today’s Bibles present the text in a form much different from that of the original manuscripts. Consider how many format changes that were developed over the past two thousand years led to the format considered normal today. Each change was radical in its time:

• Vowels: The earliest Hebrew manuscripts have no vowels; they were added hundreds of years later.

• Capital Letters: The Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament manuscripts have no uppercase and lowercase letters.

• Punctuation: The original manuscripts have no punctuation (no commas or periods!).

• Chapter Numbers: These were not common in Bibles until the thirteenth century AD.

• Verse Numbers: The ﬁrst verse-numbering system was developed over a thousand years after the last Bible book was written. It had one-third of today’s verse numbers, making verses three or four times longer. Today’s Christian Bible numbering system was not developed until the sixteenth century.

• Paragraphs: The ﬁrst paragraphed King James Bible was published in the mid-1800s.

So presenting the words of Scripture in tables, cascading the text of long, complex sentences, and using other modern formatting techniques is simply continuing the long-term trend of making the Bible easier to understand.

xi Preface

Our hope is that people who have never read the Bible will decide to read this version because it is so approachable. Please give a copy to someone who struggles to understand the Bible and, especially, to those who do not read the Bible.

Acknowledgments

My thanks to all the members of our editing team, our volunteer development team, and the many others who have donated funds and worked to bring The Readable Bible to completion.

A big “thank you” to my designer and partner in this project, Clyde Adams, for joining me in this faith venture. He has turned the translation into well-laid-out text and my formatting concepts into reality. The maps, tables, charts, book layout, and cover are all his work.

Most of all, I thank my wife, Rebecca, for her ideas, her love, and her strong support of this endeavor over the past twelve years.

Dedication

And now I dedicate to our Lord this translation of his holy Word, humbly asking him to grant that it may bring forth fruit to his glory and the building up of his people.

Spring

xii

2022

Before You Read

Before reading the text, please browse the glossary. You will ﬁnd interesting information about words that appear frequently in this book, as well as important information regarding the words “Jesus” and “Christ.”

Words in italics are additions to the biblical text. Text enclosed in brackets is spurious—not in the oldest, most reliable manuscripts. Read “Note on Spurious Text” in the back of the book for more information.

Read lists in the text from top to bottom in the ﬁrst column then the next column.

In the context of commands, rules, and regulations, “shall,” “must,” and “are/is” are equal terms, all the same strength.

We encourage you to read “Translation Notes” and “Format and Presentation Notes” in the back of the book. They are easy reading and will increase your understanding of the text.

Remember, Jesus was and is Jewish. The disciples and the women around him were Jewish. So “Jews” in the text oftentimes refers not to all Jews but only to Jesus’ opponents.

How to Read a New Testament Letter

Imagine you are living in the ﬁrst century AD, and you have become a believer. You put your faith in Jesus. You believe he died for your sins, you accepted him as your Lord, and you attend worship services in a home or small building. Your congregation has little written material—certainly not enough for everyone to be reading every day. You do not have time for that anyway, as you are exhausted by your work for six days a week (and you have no light to read at night).

One evening you go to a meeting of believers to share pieces of Scripture you or others have copied—some Old Testament writings, maybe a letter from an apostle, or a copy of one of the Gospels. Your pastor announces that he received a letter to the church from John the apostle, and he begins to read. You sit in awe, with a sense of expectation.

Now, read this letter with that attitude, that of a listener, as though someone is speaking to you. Look for what God has to say to you. The letter is personal. It is to you. It is theological—about God’s heart, his character, and his truth. God wants to speak to you through his Word. Open your heart and mind, and let God speak to you.

xiii

xiv Jerusalem Rome EGYPT ASIA JUDAH CILICIA CRETE CYPRUS BLACK SEA GALATIA MEDITERRANEAN SEA PONTUS CAOOADICUA BITHYNIA Mt. Sinai LOCATIONS IN BIBLE LETTERS * * The letters in this Readable Bible volume.

Hebrews

The Writer and the Audience

There is no direct evidence telling us who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews or to whom it was addressed. Many theories exist; however, they are just that: theories. You can ﬁnd information on them in many books and on the internet. But if it were necessary to know this, God would have made it clear to us. We must be satisﬁed to simply know that the church has determined that it is a part of the Holy Scriptures, the inspired Word of God. And because “all Scripture is inspired by Goda and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correcting, and for training in righteousness so that the godly person may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work,”b it does not really matter that we do not know the human source and original audience. It is God’s Word for us.

The Purpose of the Letter

Hebrews 5:11–12 makes it clear that the persons to whom the letter was written had been Christians for some time, long enough that the writer expected them to be teachers by now. However, not only were they not teachers; they had not matured at all. They needed basic teaching: “milk, not solid food!” Clearly, the writer was disappointed in them and wished to move them forward in their faith.

Hebrews 10:11 indicates that the Jewish priests were still making sacriﬁces at the temple in Jerusalem. So it seems that the letter was written before the Romans destroyed the temple in AD 70.

Hebrews 13:9 indicates that some of the audience believed that strength and maturity could come from works—specifically, from eating certain foods. They were moving away from total dependence on faith in Jesus, from trusting in him alone to make them holy. Thus, the writer emphasizes that faith was at the heart of the works of the forefathers,c and he emphasizes the preeminent, all-sufficient sacrifice and high priesthood of Jesus, who “is the same yesterday and today and forever.”d

a Literally, “is God-breathed.”

b See 2 Timothy 3:16–17.

c See Hebrews 11:4–39.

d See Hebrews 13:8.

The

the

Part 1. The Preeminence of Jesus

1 Hebrews

He Is God’s Son and God Himself

1 God, at many times and in various ways, long ago spoke to our ancestors through the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all thingsa and through whom he also made the universe; 3 who is the radiance of God’sb glory, is the exact representation of his nature,c sustains all things by his powerful word, and made puriﬁcation for sins through himself and then sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.d

He Is Above the Angels

4 He became as much superior to the angels as the name he inherited, “Son,” is superior to theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say anything like this (as he said regarding Jesus): “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? e Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? f

6 And again, when God brought g the ﬁrstborn into the world, he said, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”h

7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels like winds,i and his servants like ﬂames of ﬁre.”j

a An allusion to Psalm 2:8.

b Literally, “of his glory.”

c “Nature”: the permanent and essential characteristics and properties of something that expresses its being.

d Literally, “Majesty on high.”

e Literally, “I have begotten you.” See Psalm 2:7.

f See 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13.

g Literally, “when he brought.”

h See Deuteronomy 32:43 (in the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls); Psalm 97:7.

i Or “like spirits.”

j See Psalm 104:4.

Letter to

Hebrews

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; the righteous scepter a will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, anointed you with the oil of joy—above your companions.”

10 God also says of the Son: “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands.

11 You will remain, but your worksb will perish; they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe; they will be changed for something else, like a garment is changed, but you remain the same, and your years will never end.”c

13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? d

14 Are they not all just ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews

First Warning: Pay Attention

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away.

2 For if the Mosaic law, the message spoken by angels,e was binding, and every violation of it and act of disobedience to God received just punishment,

3 how can we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? It was first announced by the Lord, confirmed to us by those who heard him, 4 and testified to by God by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

5 He did not subject the world to come (about which we are speaking) to angels, but to humans.

a “Scepter”: a staff, normally ornate, carried by a ruler as a symbol of sovereignty.

b Literally, “but they.”

c See Psalm 102:25–27.

d See Psalm 110:1.

e “Spoken by angels”: a reference to the common belief that angels delivered the law to Moses.

6 There is a place in Scripture where the psalmist a has solemnly said to God, “What are human beings that you should notice them, or mere mortalsb that you should care for them?

7 You made them lower than the angels for a little while, crowned them with glory and honor, [and set them over the works of your hands c]. 8 You put everything in subjection under their feet.”d

In putting everything under human beings,e God left nothing that was not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything in subjection to humans. 9 But we do see him—Jesus— who was made lower than the angels for a little while, crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

He Is Our Redeemer

10 It was ﬁtting that God, for whom and by whom everything exists, in bringing many human sons and daughters to glory, should make Jesus, the author of their salvation, perfect through suffering. 11 For both the one who makes holy and those who are made holy are of one Father.

}

So Jesus f 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 your praises.”g 13 And he also said, “I will put my trust in him.”h

And again, “Here I am, I and the children God has given me.”i

14 Therefore, since the children are humans,j he too took part in the same humanityk

a Literally, “where someone.”

b Literally, “or the son of man.”

c See Genesis 1:26–28.

d See Psalm 8:4–6. While in Hebrews 2:7–8 “them” (twice) and “their” are singular (“him” and “his”) in the Greek manuscript, they represent the collective singular thought of all/many human beings. Thus, plural terms are used in the text.

e Literally, “under him.” See previous footnote.

f Literally, “So he.”

g See Psalm 22:22.

h See Isaiah 8:17b.

i See Isaiah 8:18.

j Literally, “since children partake in ﬂesh and blood.”

k Literally, “in the same things.”

so that by his death he might destroy the power of the one who holds the power of death— that is, the devil— 15 and set free all those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps Abraham’s descendants.

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way so that

he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

18 Because he himself suffered as a human when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 3

He Is Greater Than Moses

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, sharers of the heavenly calling , carefully consider these things about Jesus.

We confess him as our apostle and high priest.

2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.a

3 He has been found worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the one who builds a house has greater honor than the house itself.

4 (For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of all things.)

5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s houseb to testify to what would be spoken by God later. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house, whose house we are, if indeed we hold ﬁrmly to our conﬁdence and the hope in which we glory.

Second Warning: Against Unbelief

7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tried my patience with their testingc and saw my works for forty years.

a See Numbers 12:7.

b See Exodus 40:16.

c Literally, “tried me by testing.”

4 Hebrews

10 That is why

I was angry with that generation and said, ‘ They always go astray in their hearts; they have not known my ways,’ 11 so I swore an oath in my anger: ‘ They shall never enter my rest.’ ”a

12 Take care, brothers and sisters, that there never be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that leads you to fall away from the living God.

13 Rather, encourageb one another daily, as long as it is called “today”c so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we have become participants in the life of Christ, if indeed we hold ﬁrmly to our original conviction till the end.

15 As has been said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”d

16 Now which ones heard and rebelled?

Wasn’t it all those who left Egypt led by Moses?

17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Wasn’t it those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom did he swear that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it to those who disobeyed? e

19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.

Note: Belief in Him Brings Rest

1 Therefore let us tremble with fear while the promise of entering his rest still stands, lest any of you should seem to fail to experience it.f

2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but they did not proﬁt from the message they heard, not having been united by faith with those who heard.

a See Psalm 95:8–11.

b Or “strongly encourage.”

c “Today”: a reference to the time from Christ’s life on earth until his return. d Psalm 95:7–11.

e See Numbers 14:1–35.

f Literally, “seem to fall short.”

Indeed, only we who have believed enter that rest, as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”a And yet his works have been ﬁnished since the creation of the world.

4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way:

“On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”b

5 And to repeat, in this passage he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6 Therefore,

since it remains for some to enter his rest,c and since those who formerly had the good news preached to them did not enter in because of their disobedience,

7 God set another day,d calling it “today.”

He did this a long time later e when he spoke through David (just as it has been quoted above f):

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”g

8 Now if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day of rest to come

9 There remains then a Sabbath rest for the people of God; 10 for whoever enters into God’s rest also rests from their own work, just as God did from his.h 11 Therefore

let us make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall by a similar example of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, able to judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

13 And there is no creature hidden from his sight; all things are uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

a See Psalm 95:11, where God speaks to the unbelieving Israelites.

b See Genesis 2:2–3.

c Literally, “to enter it.”

d Literally, “again he appointed a certain day.”

e Literally, “after so long a time.”

f See Hebrews 3:8.

g See Hebrews 3:13 above and Psalm 95:7–8.

h See Genesis 2:2.

He Is Our Great, Compassionate High Priest

14 So then, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,a Jesus the Son of God, let us hold ﬁrmly to what we profess.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, for he has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he was without sin.

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with conﬁdence so that we may receive mercy and ﬁnd grace to help us in our time of need.

5 Hebrews

1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to act on behalf of men and women in matters related to God, to offer their gifts and sacriﬁces for sins.

2 Since he himself is subject to the same weakness, he is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray.

3 This is why he is obligated to offer sacriﬁces for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.b

4 No one takes this honor upon himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest but was appointed so by the God who saidc to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father,”d 6 and, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (as he says also in another place e).

7 Jesus, during his days in an ordinary body,f offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard

because of his reverence g for God and 8 learned obedience from what he suffered, though he was a son;

a Literally, “who has passed through the heavens”; a reference to the common Jewish belief that God’s abode consists of multiple levels. According to this, Jesus has passed through all of them, meaning he belongs in the same level where God the Father dwells.

b See Leviticus 9:7; 16:6.

c Literally, “who did not glorify himself to become a high priest, but the one said.”

d Literally, “I have begotten you.” See Psalm 2:7.

e See Psalm 110:4. Melchizedek had two ofﬁces: priest of God and king of Jerusalem. See Genesis 14:18–20.

f Literally, “in the days of his ﬂesh.”

g “Reverence”: deep regard, respect, and awe for another.

9 and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.a Continued at 7:1

Third Warning: Against Laziness and Immaturity

11 We have much to say about this, and it is difﬁcult to explain to you because you have become lazy listeners.b 12 In fact, by this time you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God’s word. You have become those who need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milkc is unskilled in the righteous word. Indeed, that person is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who by constant use have trained their power of discernment to distinguish between good and evil.

1 Therefore leaving the elementary teachings about Christ, let us carry on to maturity, not laying the foundation again (that is, repentance from dead works,d faith in God, 2 and instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment).

3 And we will move on to advanced instructione if God permits, 4a for it is impossible 6b to restore to repentance 4b those who have once been enlightened, have tasted the heavenly gift, have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6a and have nevertheless fallen away from God.

6c They are crucifying the Son of God again to their own loss and subjecting him to public disgrace.

a See Genesis 14:18; Psalm 110:4.

b Literally, “became sluggish in the hearings.”

c Literally, “who partakes of milk.”

d “Dead works”: futile attempts to gain God’s favor through religious observance or good deeds. e Literally, “And this we will do.”

Hebrews 6

Fourth Warning: Against Useless Works

7 Land that drinks in the rain that often falls upon it and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and is in danger of being cursed, and it ends up being burned up.

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things about you—the things that have to do with salvation.

Note: God Is Just

10 God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love that you have shown toward his name as you have served and continue to serve the saints.

11 We want each of you to show this same diligence— toward the full assurance of the hope of salvation until the end, 12 so you will not become lazy, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God.

Note: God Keeps His Promises

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, he swore by himself, since there was no one greater to swear by, 14 saying,

“I will surely bless you and will surely multiply your descendants.”a

15 And after waiting patiently, Abraham received the promised descendants.

16 Normallyb people swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath is the end of all their disputes (i.e., it is conﬁrmation of one’s word).

17 In the same way, since God wanted to show the unchangeableness of his purpose even more to the heirs of the promise,

a See Genesis 22:15–18.

b Literally, “For.”