273000000THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE HEBREWS.
273001000CHAPTER 1 The Son is in the express image of the person of the Father--Christ is the Only Begotten Son and thus above the angels.
273001001God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
273001002Hath 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;
273001003Who 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;
273001004Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
273001005For 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?
273001006And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
273001007And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
273001008But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
273001009Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
273001010And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
273001011They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
273001012And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
273001013But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
273001014Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
273002000CHAPTER 2 Jesus came to suffer death and save men--He came to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
273002001Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
273002002For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
273002003How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
273002004God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
273002005For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
273002006But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
273002007Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
273002008Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
273002009But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
273002010For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
273002011For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
273002012Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
273002013And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
273002014Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
273002015And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
273002016For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
273002017Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
273002018For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
273003000CHAPTER 3 Christ is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession--Jesus, being the Son is more than a servant--Now is the time and the day of our salvation.
273003001Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
273003002Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
273003003For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
273003004For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
273003005And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
273003006But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
273003007Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
273003008Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
273003009When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
273003010Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
273003011So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
273003012Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
273003013But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
273003014For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
273003015While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
273003016For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
273003017But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
273003018And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
273003019So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
273004000CHAPTER 4 The gospel was offered to ancient Israel--Saints enter into the rest of the Lord--Though tempted in all points, Jesus was without sin.
273004001Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
273004002For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
273004003For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
273004004For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
273004005And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
273004006Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
273004007Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
273004008For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
273004009There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
273004010For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
273004011Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
273004012For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
273004013Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
273004014Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
273004015For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
273004016Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
273005000CHAPTER 5 Ministers must be called of God as was Aaron--Christ was a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek--Jesus Christ is the author of eternal salvation.
273005001For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
273005002Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
273005003And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
273005004And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
273005005So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
273005006As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
273005007Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
273005008Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
273005009And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
273005010Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
273005011Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
273005012For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
273005013For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
273005014But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
273006000CHAPTER 6 Let us go on to perfection--Sons of perdition crucify Christ afresh--God swears with an oath that the faithful shall be saved.
273006001Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
273006002Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
273006003And this will we do, if God permit.
273006004For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
273006005And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
273006006If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
273006007For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
273006008But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
273006009But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
273006010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
273006011And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
273006012That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
273006013For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
273006014Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
273006015And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
273006016For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
273006017Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
273006018That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
273006019Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
273006020Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
273007000 The Melchizedek Priesthood brings exaltation and administers the gospel--It is received with an oath and covenant--Superiority of the Melchizedek over the Aaronic Prieshood--Salvation comes through the intercession of Christ.
273007001For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
273007002To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
273007003Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
273007004Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
273007005And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
273007006But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
273007007And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
273007008And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
273007009And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
273007010For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
273007011If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
273007012For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
273007013For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
273007014For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
273007015And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
273007016Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
273007017For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
273007018For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
273007019For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
273007020And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
273007021(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
273007022By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
273007023And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
273007024But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
273007025Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
273007026For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
273007027Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
273007028For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
273008000CHAPTER 8 Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for sin--God promised to make a new covenant with Israel.
273008001Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
273008002A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
273008003For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
273008004For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
273008005Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
273008006But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
273008007For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
273008008For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
273008009Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
273008010For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
273008011And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
273008012For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
273008013In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
273009000CHAPTER 9 Mosaic ordinances prefigured Christ's ministry--Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant.
273009001Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
273009002For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
273009003And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
273009004Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
273009005And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
273009006Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
273009007But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
273009008The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
273009009Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
273009010Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
273009011But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
273009012Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
273009013For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
273009014How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
273009015And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
273009016For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
273009017For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
273009018Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
273009019For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
273009020Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
273009021Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
273009022And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
273009023It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
273009024For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
273009025Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
273009026For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
273009027And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
273009028So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
273010000CHAPTER 10 We are sanctified by the shedding of the blood of Christ--Superiority of his sacrifice--Those who fall from grace through wilful sin are damned--The just shall live by faith.
273010001For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
273010002For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
273010003But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
273010004For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
273010005Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
273010006In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
273010007Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
273010008Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
273010009Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
273010010By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
273010011And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
273010012But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
273010013From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
273010014For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
273010015Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
273010016This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
273010017And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
273010018Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
273010019Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
273010020By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
273010021And having an high priest over the house of God;
273010022Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
273010023Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
273010024And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
273010025Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
273010026For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
273010027But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
273010028He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
273010029Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
273010030For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
273010031It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
273010032But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
273010033Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
273010034For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
273010035Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
273010036For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
273010037For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
273010038Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
273010039But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
273011000CHAPTER 11 By faith we understand the word and work of God--Faith of the ancients was centered in Christ--By faith men subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, and worked miracles.
273011001Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
273011002For by it the elders obtained a good report.
273011003Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
273011004By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
273011005By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
273011006But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
273011007By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
273011008By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
273011009By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
273011010For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
273011011Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
273011012Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
273011013These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
273011014For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
273011015And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
273011016But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
273011017By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
273011018Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:ˆc
273011019Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
273011020By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
273011021By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
273011022By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
273011023By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
273011024By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
273011025Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
273011026Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
273011027By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
273011028Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
273011029By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
273011030By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
273011031By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
273011032And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
273011033Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
273011034Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
273011035Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
273011036And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
273011037They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
273011038(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
273011039And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
273011040God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
273012000CHAPTER 12 Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth--God is the Father of spirits--To see God, follow peace and holiness--Exalted saints belong to the Church of the Firstborn.
273012001Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
273012002Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
273012003For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
273012004Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
273012005And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
273012006For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
273012007If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
273012008But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
273012009Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
273012010For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
273012011Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
273012012Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
273012013And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
273012014Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
273012015Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
273012016Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
273012017For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
273012018For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
273012019And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
273012020(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
273012021And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
273012022But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
273012023To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
273012024And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
273012025See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
273012026Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
273012027And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
273012028Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
273012029For our God is a consuming fire.
273013000CHAPTER 13 Marriage is honorable in all--Christ is the same everlastingly--How the saints are to offer acceptable sacrifices.
273013001Let brotherly love continue.
273013002Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
273013003Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
273013004Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
273013005Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
273013006So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
273013007Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
273013008Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
273013009Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
273013010We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
273013011For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
273013012Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
273013013Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
273013014For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
273013015By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
273013016But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
273013017Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
273013018Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
273013019But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
273013020Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
273013021Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
273013022And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
273013023Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
273013024Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
273013025Grace be with you all. Amen.