Hebrews 6
1 So let's not get stuck on the basic teachings about Christ, but let's progress to a more mature understanding. We don't need to go over again the ideas of repenting from what we used to do, about trusting in God—
Wherefore omitting the discourse about the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us proceed to perfection: not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,
2 or teachings about baptism, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (aiōnios g166)
and of faith in God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and laying on of hands, and of the resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgement: (tho' we will do this also, if God permit: ) (aiōnios g166)
3 So let's get on with it, as God gives us the opportunity!
for it is impossible that those,
4 It's impossible for those who once understood and experienced God's heavenly gift—who shared in receiving the Holy Spirit,
who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Spirit,
and of the good word of God, (aiōn g165)
6 and then completely abandon God, for them to be brought back to repentance once more. They themselves have crucified the Son of God all over again and publicly humiliated him.
and the powers of the gospel-age, and yet fall away, should be renewed again to repentance: since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and make an open example of Him.
7 Land that has been watered by rain, and produces crops for those who farm it, has God's blessing.
For as the earth, which imbibeth the rain that is frequently coming upon it, and produceth herbs fit for those by whom it is cultivated, receiveth a blessing from God:
8 But land that only produces weeds and thorns is worthless, and is about to be condemned. In the end all that can be done is to burn it.
but that which bringeth forth thorns and briars, is rejected and near to a curse, (whose end is burning) so are they.
9 But dear friends, we believe better of you and your salvation, even if we talk like this!
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak for your caution.
10 God wouldn't be so unjust as to forget what you've done and the love you've shown for him by the care you've shown for fellow-believers—something you're still doing.
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewn to his name, by having ministred to the saints, and yet ministring.
11 We want each of you to show the same kind of commitment, confident in God's hope until it's fulfilled.
And we desire that every one of you would shew the same diligence to acquire the full assurance of hope even unto the end:
12 Don't be spiritually lazy, but follow the example of those who through trusting in God and patience inherit what God has promised.
that ye would not be sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises.
13 When God gave his promise to Abraham he could swear by no one greater so he took an oath on himself,
For when God made the promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying,
14 saying, “I will definitely bless you, and multiply your descendants.”
"Verily blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."
15 And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham received the promise.
And thus waiting patiently he obtained the promise.
16 People swear on things that are greater than they are, and when they have some dispute the oath is taken as the final word on the matter.
For men swear by a greater Being, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all controversy.
17 That's why God wanted to demonstrate more clearly to those who would inherit the promise that he would never ever change his mind.
Wherefore God being willing more abundantly to manifest unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it with an oath:
18 So by these two actions that can't be changed, and since it's impossible for God to lie, we can have total confidence, having run for safety to take hold of the hope God presented to us.
that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to fail, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us;
19 This hope is our spiritual anchor—it's both certain and reliable, and it takes us past the curtain to the presence of God.
which we have as an anchor of the soul safe and stedfast, and which entereth within the veil.
