Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
1Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, | 1Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, |
2teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. | 2instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. |
3And we will do this if God permits. | 3And God permitting, we will do so. |
4For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit, | 4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, |
5who tasted God's good word and the powers of the coming age, | 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age |
6and who have fallen away. This is because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt. | 6and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. |
7For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. | 7Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. |
8But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned. | 8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. |
9Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. | 9Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case--the things that have to do with salvation. |
10For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints--and by continuing to serve them. | 10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. |
11Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, | 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. |
12so that you won't become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance. | 12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. |
13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself: | 13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, |
14I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you. | 14saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." |
15And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise. | 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. |
16For people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute. | 16People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. |
17Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath, | 17Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. |
18so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. | 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. |
19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. | 19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, |
20Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. | 20where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. |
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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