< Hebrews 1 >
1 Long ago God communicated frequently to our ancestors in various ways by what the prophets [said and wrote].
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 But now when this final age [is beginning], God has communicated to us [just once] by means of what (his Son/the man who was also God) [said and did. God] appointed him in order that he would possess everything [that truly belongs to God. God also appointed] him in order that he would create the universe. (aiōn )
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (aiōn )
3 He manifests God’s glory. He exactly represents [what God is like]. He (sustains everything by means of his powerful words. When he had [enabled people to be] freed from the [guilt of] their sins [MET], he sat down in heaven [EUP] [to rule] at the place of greatest honor [MTY] with God [MTY].
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 By doing that, he [showed that he] was very much greater than the angels, to the extent that his relationship [MTY] [to God, as his Son], is more excellent than the relationship the angels [have to God].
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 [We know that] because [in the Scriptures] no one [RHQ] ever reported that God said to any angel [what he said to his Son], You [(sg)] are my Son! Today I have declared to all that I am your Father [DOU]! And he said in another Scripture passage, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son [DOU].
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And [we know his Son is greater than the angels because in] another [Scripture passage someone wrote this about God’s esteemed Son], when God was about to send him into the world: All God’s angels must worship him.
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
7 [And in the Scriptures it is written that] someone said this about the angels: [God] makes the [angels] who serve him [to be changeable like] [MET] winds and flames of fire.
And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But on the other hand, [in the Scriptures it is written that God said] this to his Son: You [(sg)] who are [also] God will rule forever [MTY], and you will reign righteously over your kingdom [MTY]. (aiōn )
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (aiōn )
9 You have loved [people’s] righteous [deeds] and you have hated [people’s] lawless [deeds]. So I, your God, have caused you to be more joyful [MTY] than anyone else.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And [we also know that his Son is superior to angels because in the Scriptures the Psalmist wrote that] someone said to God’s Son, Lord, it was you who created the earth in the beginning. You also made [the rest of] the universe (OR, the [things in] the sky) [MTY].
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 Everything in the universe will disappear, but you will keep on living [forever]. They will wear out as clothing [wears out].
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 You will dispose of them as one rolls up an [old] coat [before getting rid of it]. [Then], you will exchange [everything that is in the universe for what is new], as someone puts on a new garment [in exchange for an old garment] [SIM]. But you [are not like what you created]; You stay the same, and you live forever [LIT]!
And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
13 [We also know that his Son is superior to angels because no one ever stated] [RHQ] [in the Scriptures] that God said to any angel [what he said to his Son], Sit [in the place of honor] next to me and rule with me [MTY] while I put all of your enemies completely under your control [MET]!
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 The angels are [only] spirits who serve [God] [RHQ]. [God] sends them [to earth] in order to help those he has saved (OR, those whom he will save).
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?