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            Hebrews English Standard Version (ESV)

Chapter 1

     The Supremacy of God's Son

     1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last

     days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created

     the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the

     universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the

     Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent

     than theirs.

     5For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son,

        today I have begotten you"?Or again, "I will be to him a father,

        and he shall be to me a son"?

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

     7Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds,

        and his ministers a flame of fire."

     8But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,

        the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

     9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

     therefore God, your God, has anointed you

        with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

     10And, "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

        and the heavens are the work of your hands;

     11they will perish, but you remain;

        they will all wear out like a garment,

     12like a robe you will roll them up,

        like a garment they will be changed.

     But you are the same,

        and your years will have no end."

     13And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand

        until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

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

Chapter 2

     Warning Against Neglecting Salvation

     1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2For since

     the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just

     retribution, 3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord,

     and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and

     various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

     The Founder of Salvation

     5Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6It has been

     testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him,

        or the son of man, that you care for him?

     7You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

        you have crowned him with glory and honor,

         8putting everything in subjection under his feet."Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left

     nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9But we see him

     who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because

     of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

     10For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should

     make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11For he who sanctifies and those who are

     sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12saying, "I will tell of

     your name to my brothers;

        in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."

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

     14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that

     through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and deliver all

     those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16For surely it is not angels that he helps,

     but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so

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

     of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being

     tempted.

Chapter 3

     Jesus Greater Than Moses

     1Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of

     our confession, 2who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's

     house. 3For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses--as much more glory as the builder of

     a house has more honor than the house itself. 4(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all

     things is God.) 5Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to

     be spoken later, 6but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast

     our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

     A Rest for the People of God

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

     8do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

        on the day of testing in the wilderness,

     9where your fathers put me to the test

        and saw my works 10for forty years.

     Therefore I was provoked with that generation,

     and said, 'They always go astray in their heart;

        they have not known my ways.'

     11As I swore in my wrath,

        'They shall not enter my rest.'"

     12Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the

     living God. 13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be

     hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm

     to the end. 15As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice,

     do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

     16For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17And

     with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the

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

     disobedient? 19So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Chapter 4

     1Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have

     failed to reach it. 2For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit

     them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3For we who have believed enter that

     rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath,

     'They shall not enter my rest,'"although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For he has

     somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works."

     5And again in this passage he said, "They shall not enter my rest."

     6Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to

     enter because of disobedience, 7again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long

     afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice,

     do not harden your hearts."

     8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9So then, there

     remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his

     works as God did from his.

     11Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12For

     the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of

     spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And no creature is

     hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

     Jesus the Great High Priest

     14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us

     hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our

     weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with

     confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of

     need.

Chapter 5

     1For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to

     offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is

     beset with weakness. 3Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for

     those of the people. 4And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron

     was.

     5So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to

     him, "You are my Son,

        today I have begotten you";

     6as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever,

        after the order of Melchizedek."

     7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who

     was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8Although he was a son, he

     learned obedience through what he suffered. 9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal

     salvation to all who obey him, 10being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

     Warning Against Apostasy

     11About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12For

     though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of

     the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of

     righteousness, since he is a child. 14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of

     discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Chapter 6

     1Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation

     of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2and of instruction about washings, the laying on of

     hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And this we will do if God permits. 4For it is

     impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the

     heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the

     powers of the age to come, 6if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to

     their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and

     produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8But if it bears

     thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

     9Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things--things that belong to

     salvation. 10For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in

     serving the saints, as you still do. 11And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have

     the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who

     through faith and patience inherit the promises.

     The Certainty of God's Promise

     13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by

     himself, 14saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." 15And thus Abraham, having patiently waited,

     obtained the promise. 16For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an

     oath is final for confirmation. 17So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise

     the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18so that by two unchangeable

     things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement

     to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope

     that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf,

     having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Chapter 7

     The Priestly Order of Melchizedek

     1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter

     of the kings and blessed him, 2and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by

     translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3He is

     without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the

     Son of God he continues a priest forever.

     4See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5And those

     descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the

     people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6But this man who does

     not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7It is

     beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8In the one case tithes are received by mortal

     men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9One might even say that Levi

     himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when

     Melchizedek met him.

     Jesus Compared to Melchizedek

     11Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the

     law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek,

     rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is

     necessarily a change in the law as well. 13For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another

     tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from

     Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

     15This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16who has

     become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an

     indestructible life. 17For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever,

        after the order of Melchizedek."

     18On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the

     law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near

     to God.

     20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,

     21but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn

        and will not change his mind,

     'You are a priest forever.'"

     22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

     23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,

     24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently, he is able to save

     to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for

     them.

     26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from

     sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily,

     first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up

     himself. 28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came

     later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Chapter 8

     Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant

     1Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand

     of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up,

     not man. 3For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest

     also to have something to offer. 4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are

     priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For

     when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything

     according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." 6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry

     that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on

     better promises. 7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for

     a second.

     8For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,

        when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel

        and with the house of Judah,

     9not like the covenant that I made with their fathers

        on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

     For they did not continue in my covenant,

        and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

     10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

        after those days, declares the Lord:

     I will put my laws into their minds,

        and write them on their hearts,

     and I will be their God,

        and they shall be my people.

     11And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor

        and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'

     for they shall all know me,

        from the least of them to the greatest.

     12For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,

        and I will remember their sins no more."

     13In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and

     growing old is ready to vanish away.

Chapter 9

     The Earthly Holy Place

     1Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2For a tent was

     prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is

     called the Holy Place. 3Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4having

     the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden

     urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5Above it were the

     cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

     6These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their

     ritual duties, 7but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking

     blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8By this the Holy Spirit

     indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing

     9(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that

     cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10but deal only with food and drink and various washings,

     regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

     Redemption Through the Blood of Christ

     11But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater

     and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12he entered once for all into the

     holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an

     eternal redemption. 13For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the

     ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who

     through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to

     serve the living God.

     15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised

     eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under

     the first covenant. 16For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.

     17For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.

     18Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19For when every commandment of

     the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and

     scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20saying, "This is the blood of

     the covenant that God commanded for you." 21And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent

     and all the vessels used in worship. 22Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and

     without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

     23Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the

     heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ has entered, not into holy places

     made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence

     of God on our behalf. 25Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every

     year with blood not his own, 26for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the

     world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of

     himself. 27And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28so Christ, having

     been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those

     who are eagerly waiting for him.

Chapter 10

     Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

     1For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it

     can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

     2Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed,

     would no longer have any consciousness of sin? 3But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin every year.

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

     5Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,

        but a body have you prepared for me;

     6in burnt offerings and sin offerings

        you have taken no pleasure.

     7Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,

        as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'"

     8When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt

     offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), 9then he added, "Behold, I have come to

     do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10And by that will we have been

     sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

     11And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take

     away sins. 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand

     of God, 13waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14For by a single

     offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

     15And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

     16"This is the covenant that I will make with them

        after those days, declares the Lord:

     I will put my laws on their hearts,

        and write them on their minds,"

     17then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."

     18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

     The Full Assurance of Faith

     19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the

     new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have

     a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our

     hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the

     confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up

     one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but

     encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

     26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a

     sacrifice for sins, 27but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the

     adversaries. 28Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or

     three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned

     the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged

     the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will

     judge his people." 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

     32But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,

     33sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so

     treated. 34For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your

     property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35Therefore do

     not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that when

     you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37For, "Yet a little while,

        and the coming one will come and will not delay;

     38but my righteous one shall live by faith,

        and if he shrinks back,

     my soul has no pleasure in him."

     39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their

     souls.

Chapter 11

     By Faith

     1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of

     old received their commendation. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God,

     so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

     4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as

     righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

     5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had

     taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6And without faith it is

     impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he

     rewards those who seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in

     reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became

     an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

     8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.

     And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a

     foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking

     forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11By faith Sarah herself received

     power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

     12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven

     and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

     13These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them

     from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For people who

     speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15If they had been thinking of that land from

     which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But as it is, they desire a better

     country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for

     them a city.

     17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the

     act of offering up his only son, 18of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 19He

     considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did

     receive him back. 20By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. 21By faith Jacob, when dying,

     blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, at the

     end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

     23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the

     child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24By faith Moses, when he was grown up,

     refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of

     God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than

     the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the

     anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled

     the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

     29By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do

     the same, were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven

     days. 31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given

     a friendly welcome to the spies.

     32And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and

     Samuel and the prophets-- 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises,

     stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made

     strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received back their

     dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a

     better life. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned,

     they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats,

     destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- 38of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and

     mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

     39And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had

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

Chapter 12

     Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

     1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and

     sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus,

     the founder and perfecter 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.

     Do Not Grow Weary

     3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or

     fainthearted. 4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

     5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the

     discipline of the Lord,

        nor be weary when reproved by him.

     6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

        and chastises every son whom he receives."

     7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his

     father does not discipline? 8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are

     illegitimate children and not sons. 9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we

     respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined

     us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his

     holiness. 11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful

     fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

     12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your

     feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14Strive for peace with

     everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one fails to obtain

     the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

     16that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17For you know

     that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent,

     though he sought it with tears.

     A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

     18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest

     19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be

     spoken to them. 20For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the

     mountain, it shall be stoned." 21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear."

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

     innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and

     to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a

     new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

     25See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who

     warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26At that time his

     voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the

     heavens." 27This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken--that is, things

     that have been made--in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore let us be

     grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with

     reverence and awe, 29for our God is a consuming fire.

Chapter 13

     Sacrifices Pleasing to God

     1Let brotherly love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have

     entertained angels unawares. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those

     who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the

     marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5Keep your life free from

     love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

     6So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper;

        I will not fear;

     what can man do to me?"

     7Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life,

     and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be led away by

     diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which

     have not benefited those devoted to them. 10We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no

     right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest

     as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to

     sanctify the people through his own blood. 13Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the

     reproach he endured. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15Through

     him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his

     name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

     17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have

     to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to

     you.

     18Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19I

     urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

     Benediction

     20Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the

     sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21equip you with everything good that you may do his will,

     working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

     Amen.

     Final Greetings

     22I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23You should

     know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24Greet all

     your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25Grace be with all of you.