Hebrews 2

1 So, [since that is true], we must pay very careful attention to what we have heard [about God’s Son], in order that we do not drift away from it, [as a boat drifts off its course when people do not guide it] [MET].

Therefore it behooves us the more earnestly to give heed to the things which we have heard, lest at some time we may leak out.

2 [God’s laws that] were given by angels were valid, and God justly punished all who rejected them and all who disobeyed [DOU] them.

For if the word having been spoken by angels was stedfast, and every disobedience and transgression received a just recompense of reward;

3 So, we will certainly not escape [God punishing us] if we ignore such a great [message about how God] [MTY] saves us! [RHQ] This [new message] was first spoken by the Lord [Jesus] {The Lord [Jesus] first spoke this [message]}. Then it was confirmed to us by those who heard [what the Lord told them] {those who heard [what the Lord told them] confirmed it to us}.

how shall we escape, having neglected so great a salvation? which having received the beginning to be spoken by the Lord, was confirmed unto us by those who heard it;

4 God also confirmed to us [that this message was true] by [enabling believers to do] many things that showed God’s power, to do other miraculous things [DOU], and [to do other things] by the gifts that the Holy Spirit distributed to them according to what [God] desired.

God at the same time witnessing, by signs and indeed by wonders, and various dynamites, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his will.

5 God has determined that the angels will not rule over everything. [Instead, he has determined that Christ] will rule in the new world that [God] will [create]. [That is the new world] about which I am writing.

For he did not submit the world to come, concerning which we speak, to angels.

6 Someone spoke to [God about this] somewhere [in the Scriptures], saying, (No one is worthy enough for you to think about him!/Who is [worthy enough] for you to think about him?) [RHQ] (No human is [worthy enough] for you to care for him!/Is any human [worthy enough] for you to care for him?) [RHQ]

But somewhere one testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the Son of man, that thou visitest him?

7 [So it is surprising that] you have caused people to be for a little while inferior in rank to angels. You have greatly honored [DOU] them [MET], as [kings are honored with] a crown.

Thou didst humiliate him somewhat comparatively with the angels; thou didst crown him with glory and honor;

8 You have put everything under people’s control [MET]. God has determined that people will rule over absolutely everything [LIT]. But now, at this present time, we perceive that people do not yet have authority over everything.

thou didst subordinate all things beneath his feet. For in subordinating all things beneath him, he left nothing which is not subordinated beneath him.

9 But we do know about Jesus, [who truly has authority over everything]! Hebrews 2:9b-13 Jesus, for a little while, became inferior [in rank] to angels in order to die on behalf of [MET] everyone. He became inferior when he suffered [and] died, as God kindly [planned]. But now he has been greatly [honored] [DOU] [by being] crowned [as kings are].

But we see Jesus humiliated somewhat in comparison with the angels, having been crowned with glory and honor on account of the suffering of death, in order that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one.

10 It was fitting that [God] make [Jesus] (perfect/all that God intended him to be). God was enabling many people who would belong to him [MET] to share his glory. God [is the one who] created all things, and [he is the one] for whom all things [exist]. [He perfected Jesus] by causing him to suffer [and die]. [Jesus] is the one whom [God] uses to save people.

For it became him, on account of whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in leading many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.

11 [Jesus] is the one who (makes people holy/sets people apart for God), and they all belong to God’s family. [As a result, Christ] gladly [LIT] proclaims them to be [like] his own brothers [and sisters].

For both the one sanctifying and they who are sanctified are all of one: on account of which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 [The Psalmist wrote what Christ said to God about us becoming] his brothers, in these words: I will proclaim to my brothers how awesome you are (OR, what you ([are like/have done])) [MTY]. I will sing praise to you in the presence of the congregation!

saying, I will proclaim thy name to thy brethren, in the midst of the church will sing praises to thee.

13 And a prophet wrote [in] another [Scripture passage what Christ said about God], I will trust him. And in another [Scripture passage, Christ said about those who are like his] children, I and the ones that God has given me are here.

And again, I will put my trust in him: and again; Behold, I and the children which God has given unto me.

14 So, since those [whom God calls his] children are all human beings [MTY], Jesus also became a human being [just like them]. The devil has the power to cause people [to be afraid] to die, but Christ became human in order that by his dying he might make the devil powerless.

Then since the children have inherited blood and flesh, he likewise also received the same, in order that through death he might set at nought him who has the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 [Jesus did that] to free all of us who are like slaves [MET] all the time we live, because we are [forced to] be afraid to die.

and might reconcile them whosoever were subject to bondage all their life through the fear of death.

16 Because [Jesus became a human being], it is not angels whom he wants to help. No, it is we who trust God as Abraham did whom he wants to help.

For not yet does he take upon himself the nature of angels, but he takes upon himself the seed of Abraham.

17 So, [since he came to help humans, not angels], he had to be made exactly like [us whom he calls] his own brothers [and sisters]. He wants to be a Supreme Priest who [acts] mercifully [to all people] and who faithfully does what God wants, so that people who had sinned would be declared no longer guilty.

Therefore he ought in all things to be made like unto his brethren, in order that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things appertaining to God, to the end that he may atone for the sins of the people.

18 [Specifically], he is able to help those/us who are tempted [to sin]. He can do that because he suffered, and he was also tempted [to sin like we are tempted to sin].

For in that he himself suffered being tempted, he is able to succor those who are tempted.