< Hebrews 6 >

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect, not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God,
2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (aiōnios g166)
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (aiōnios g166)
3 And this we will do, if God permits.
And this will we do, if God permit.
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— (aiōn g165)
Have moreover tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (aiōn g165)
6 and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.
And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery.
7 For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.
For the earth that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God.
8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers, is reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt.
9 Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.
But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus.
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints.
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end:
12 Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.
13 When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
For God making promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself,
14 saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”
Saying: Unless blessing I shall bless thee, and multiplying I shall multiply thee.
15 And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.
And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise.
16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy.
17 So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
Wherein God, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath:
18 Thus 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 strongly encouraged.
That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us.
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil;
20 where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. (aiōn g165)
Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. (aiōn g165)

< Hebrews 6 >