< Hebrews 6 >
1 Wherefore, leaving the first principles of Christian doctrine, let us progress toward maturity, not laying again the foundation concerning reformation from dead works, and faith toward God--
2 concerning the doctrine of immersions, and of imposition of hands, of a resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment; (aiōnios )
3 for this we will do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible to renew again to reformation those who have been once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age which was to come, (aiōn )
6 and yet have fallen away, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God and exposing him to contempt.
7 For the land that drinks in the rain, which often comes upon it, and brings forth herbs, fit for them by whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God:
8 but that which produces thorns and briers, is reprobated, and nigh to a curse; whose end is to be burned.
9 But, beloved, we hope better things of you, even things which are connected with salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For God is not unrighteous, to forget your work, and the love which you have showed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11 Yet, we earnestly desire every one of you to show the same diligence, in order to the realizing of this hope, to the end--
12 that you may not be slothful, but imitators of them who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself--
14 saying, "Surely, blessing, I will bless you, and multiplying, I will multiply you";
15 and so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.
16 For men, indeed, swear by the greater; and an oath for confirmation is, to them, an end of all contradiction.
17 Therefore, God, willing more abundantly to show to their heirs of promise the immutability of his purpose, confirmed it with an oath;
18 that, by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled away to lay hold on the hope set before us;
19 which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entering into the place within the vail,
20 where a forerunner has entered on our account; even Jesus, made a High Priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedec.) (aiōn )
