Hebrews 2

1 Therefore we ought to be exceedingly cautious, in regard to what we have heard, lest we fall away.

For this reason we ought to pay the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, for fear we should drift away from them.

2 For if the word uttered by the medium of angels was confirmed, and every one who heard it, and transgressed it, received a just retribution;

For if the message delivered through angels proved to be true, and every transgression and act of disobedience met with just retribution,

3 how shall we escape, if we despise the things which are our life, things which began to be spoken by our Lord, and were confirmed to us by them who heard from him,

how shall we escape if we are indifferent to a salvation as great as that now offered to us? This, after having first of all been announced by the Lord Himself, had its truth made sure to us by those who heard Him,

4 while God gave testimony concerning them, by signs and wonders, and by various miracles and distributions of the Holy Spirit, which were given according to his pleasure?

while God corroborated their testimony by signs and marvels and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed in accordance with His own will.

5 For to the angels he hath not subjected the world to come, of which we speak.

It is not to angels that God has assigned the sovereignty of that coming world, of which we speak.

6 But as the scripture testifieth, and saith: What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou attendest to him?

But, as we know, a writer has solemnly said, "How poor a creature is man, and yet Thou dost remember him, and a son of man, and yet Thou dost come to him!

7 Thou hast depressed him somewhat lower than the angels: glory and honor hast thou put on his head; and thou hast invested him with authority over the work of thy hand.

Thou hast made him only a little inferior to the angels; with glory and honour Thou hast crowned him, and hast set him to govern the works of Thy hands.

8 And all things hast thou subjected under his feet. And in this subjecting of all things to him, he omitted nothing, which he did not subject. But now, we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

Thou hast put everything in subjection under his feet." For this subjecting of the universe to man implies the leaving nothing not subject to him. But we do not as yet see the universe subject to him.

9 But we see him, who was depressed somewhat lower than the angels, to be this Jesus, because of the passion of his death; and glory and honor are placed on his head; for God himself, in his grace, tasted death for all men.

But Jesus--who was made a little inferior to the angels in order that through God's grace He might taste death for every human being--we already see wearing a crown of glory and honour because of His having suffered death.

10 For it became him, by whom are all things, and on account of whom are all things, and who bringeth many sons unto his glory, to perfect the prince of their life by suffering.

For it was fitting that He for whom, and through whom, all things exist, after He had brought many sons to glory, should perfect by suffering the Prince Leader who had saved them.

11 For he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one nature. Therefore he is not ashamed to call them brethren;

For both He who sanctifies and those whom He is sanctifying have all one Father; and for this reason He is not ashamed to speak of them as His brothers;

12 as he saith, I will announce thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise thee.

as when He says: "I will proclaim Thy name to My brothers: in the midst of the congregation I will hymn Thy praises;"

13 And again, I will confide in him. And again, Behold me, and the children whom thou, God, hast given to me.

and again, "As for Me, I will be one whose trust reposes in God;" and again, "Here am I, and here are the children God has given Me."

14 For because the children participated in flesh and blood, he also, in like manner, took part in the same; that, by his death, he might bring to naught him who held the dominion of death, namely Satan;

Since then the children referred to are all alike sharers in perishable human nature, He Himself also, in the same way, took on Him a share of it, in order that through death He might render powerless him who had authority over death, that is, the Devil,

15 and might release them, who, through fear of death, are all their lives subject to bondage.

and might set at liberty all those who through fear of death had been subject to lifelong slavery.

16 For he did not assume a nature from angels, but he assumed a nature from the seed of Abraham.

For assuredly it is not to angels that He is continually reaching a helping hand, but it is to the descendants of Abraham.

17 Wherefore it was right, that he should be in all respects like his brethren; that he might be merciful, and a high priest faithful in the things of God, and might make expiation for the sins of the people.

And for this purpose it was necessary that in all respects He should be made to resemble His brothers, so that He might become a compassionate and faithful High Priest in things relating to God, in order to atone for the sins of the people.

18 For, in that he himself hath suffered, and been tempted, he is able to succor them who are tempted.

For inasmuch as He has Himself felt the pain of temptation and trial, He is also able instantly to help those who are tempted and tried.