GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:58urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:58God , who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets , 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 ; 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 ; Being made so much better than the angels , as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they . 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 ? And again , when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world , he saith , And let all the angels of God worship him . And of the angels he saith , Who maketh his angels spirits , and his ministers a flame of fire . 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 . Thou hast loved righteousness , and hated iniquity ; therefore God , even thy God , hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows . And , Thou , Lord , in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth ; and the heavens are the works of thine hands : They shall perish ; but thou remainest ; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment ; 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 . But to which of the angels said he at any time , Sit on my right hand , until I make thine enemies thy footstool ? Are they not all ministering spirits , sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation ? Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard , lest at any time we should let them slip . For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast , and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward ; How 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 ; God also bearing them witness , both with signs and wonders , and with divers miracles , and gifts of the Holy Ghost , according to his own will ? For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come , whereof we speak . But 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 ? Thou 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 : Thou 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 . But 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 . For 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 . For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one : for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren , Saying , I will declare thy name unto my brethren , in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee . And again , I will put my trust in him . And again , Behold I and the children which God hath given me . Forasmuch 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 ; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage . For verily he took not on him the nature of angels ; but he took on him the seed of Abraham . Wherefore 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 . For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted , he is able to succour them that are tempted . Wherefore , holy brethren , partakers of the heavenly calling , consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession , Christ Jesus ; Who was faithful to him that appointed him , as also Moses was faithful in all his house . For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses , inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house . For every house is builded by some man ; but he that built all things is God . And Moses verily was faithful in all his house , as a servant , for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after ; But 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 . Wherefore ( as the Holy Ghost saith , To day if ye will hear his voice , Harden not your hearts , as in the provocation , in the day of temptation in the wilderness : When your fathers tempted me , proved me , and saw my works forty years . Wherefore I was grieved with that generation , and said , They do alway err in their heart ; and they have not known my ways . So I sware in my wrath , They shall not enter into my rest . ) Take heed , brethren , lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief , in departing from the living God . But exhort one another daily , while it is called To day ; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin . For we are made partakers of Christ , if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end ; While it is said , To day if ye will hear his voice , harden not your hearts , as in the provocation . For some , when they had heard , did provoke : howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses . But with whom was he grieved forty years ? was it not with them that had sinned , whose carcases fell in the wilderness ? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest , but to them that believed not ? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief . Let us therefore fear , lest , a promise being left us of entering into his rest , any of you should seem to come short of it . For 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 . For 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 . For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise , And God did rest the seventh day from all his works . And in this place again , If they shall enter into my rest . Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein , and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief : Again , 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 . For if Jesus had given them rest , then would he not afterward have spoken of another day . There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God . For he that is entered into his rest , he also hath ceased from his own works , as God did from his . Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest , lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief . For 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 . Neither 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 . Seeing 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 . For 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 . Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace , that we may obtain mercy , and find grace to help in time of need . For 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 : Who can have compassion on the ignorant , and on them that are out of the way ; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity . And by reason hereof he ought , as for the people , so also for himself , to offer for sins . And no man taketh this honour unto himself , but he that is called of God , as was Aaron . So 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 . As he saith also in another place , Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec . Who 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 ; Though he were a Son , yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered ; And being made perfect , he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him ; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec . Of whom we have many things to say , and hard to be uttered , seeing ye are dull of hearing . For 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 . For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness : for he is a babe . But 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 . Therefore 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 , Of the doctrine of baptisms , and of laying on of hands , and of resurrection of the dead , and of eternal judgment . And this will we do , if God permit . For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened , and have tasted of the heavenly gift , and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost , And have tasted the good word of God , and the powers of the world to come , If 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 . For 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 : But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected , and is nigh unto cursing ; whose end is to be burned . But , beloved , we are persuaded better things of you , and things that accompany salvation , though we thus speak . For 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 . And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end : That ye be not slothful , but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises . For when God made promise to Abraham , because he could swear by no greater , he sware by himself , Saying , Surely blessing I will bless thee , and multiplying I will multiply thee . And so , after he had patiently endured , he obtained the promise . For men verily swear by the greater : and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife . Wherein God , willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel , confirmed it by an oath : That 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 : Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul , both sure and stedfast , and which entereth into that within the veil ; Whither the forerunner is for us entered , even Jesus , made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec . For this Melchisedec , king of Salem , priest of the most high God , who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings , and blessed him ; To 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 ; Without 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 . Now consider how great this man was , unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils . And 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 : But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham , and blessed him that had the promises . And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better . And here men that die receive tithes ; but there he receiveth them , of whom it is witnessed that he liveth . And as I may so say , Levi also , who receiveth tithes , payed tithes in Abraham . For he was yet in the loins of his father , when Melchisedec met him . If 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 ? For the priesthood being changed , there is made of necessity a change also of the law . For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe , of which no man gave attendance at the altar . For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda ; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood . And it is yet far more evident : for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest , Who is made , not after the law of a carnal commandment , but after the power of an endless life . For he testifieth , Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec . For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof . For the law made nothing perfect , but the bringing in of a better hope did ; by the which we draw nigh unto God . And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest : ( 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 : ) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament . And they truly were many priests , because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death : But this man , because he continueth ever , hath an unchangeable priesthood . Wherefore 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 . For such an high priest became us , who is holy , harmless , undefiled , separate from sinners , and made higher than the heavens ; Who 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 . For 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 . Now 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 ; A minister of the sanctuary , and of the true tabernacle , which the Lord pitched , and not man . For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices : wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer . For if he were on earth , he should not be a priest , seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law : Who 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 . But 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 . For if that first covenant had been faultless , then should no place have been sought for the second . For 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 : Not 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 . For 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 : And 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 . For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness , and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more . In that he saith , A new covenant , he hath made the first old . Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away . Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service , and a worldly sanctuary . For there was a tabernacle made ; the first , wherein was the candlestick , and the table , and the shewbread ; which is called the sanctuary . And after the second veil , the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all ; Which 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 ; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat ; of which we cannot now speak particularly . Now when these things were thus ordained , the priests went always into the first tabernacle , accomplishing the service of God . But 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 : The 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 : Which 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 ; Which stood only in meats and drinks , and divers washings , and carnal ordinances , imposed on them until the time of reformation . But 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 ; Neither 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 . For if the blood of bulls and of goats , and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean , sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh : How 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 ? And 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 . For where a testament is , there must also of necessity be the death of the testator . For a testament is of force after men are dead : otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth . Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood . For 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 , Saying , This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you . Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle , and all the vessels of the ministry . And almost all things are by the law purged with blood ; and without shedding of blood is no remission . It 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 . For 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 : Nor yet that he should offer himself often , as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others ; For 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 . And as it is appointed unto men once to die , but after this the judgment : So 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 . For 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 . For then would they not have ceased to be offered ? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins . But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year . For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins . Wherefore when he cometh into the world , he saith , Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not , but a body hast thou prepared me : In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure . Then said I , Lo , I come ( in the volume of the book it is written of me , ) to do thy will , O God . Above 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 ; Then said he , Lo , I come to do thy will , O God . He taketh away the first , that he may establish the second . By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all . And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices , which can never take away sins : But this man , after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever , sat down on the right hand of God ; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool . For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified . Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us : for after that he had said before , This 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 ; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more . Now where remission of these is , there is no more offering for sin . Having therefore , brethren , boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus , By a new and living way , which he hath consecrated for us , through the veil , that is to say , his flesh ; And having an high priest over the house of God ; Let 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 . Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering ; ( for he is faithful that promised ; ) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works : Not 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 . For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth , there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins , But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation , which shall devour the adversaries . He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses : Of 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 ? For we know him that hath said , Vengeance belongeth unto me , I will recompense , saith the Lord . And again , The Lord shall judge his people . It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God . But call to remembrance the former days , in which , after ye were illuminated , ye endured a great fight of afflictions ; Partly , whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions ; and partly , whilst ye became companions of them that were so used . For 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 . Cast not away therefore your confidence , which hath great recompence of reward . For ye have need of patience , that , after ye have done the will of God , ye might receive the promise . For yet a little while , and he that shall come will come , and will not tarry . Now the just shall live by faith : but if any man draw back , my soul shall have no pleasure in him . But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition ; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul . Now faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen . For by it the elders obtained a good report . Through 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 . By 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 . By 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 . But 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 . By 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 . By 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 . By 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 : For he looked for a city which hath foundations , whose builder and maker is God . Through 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 . Therefore 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 . These 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 . For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country . And truly , if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out , they might have had opportunity to have returned . But 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 . By faith Abraham , when he was tried , offered up Isaac : and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son , Of whom it was said , That in Isaac shall thy seed be called : Accounting that God was able to raise him up , even from the dead ; from whence also he received him in a figure . By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come . By faith Jacob , when he was a dying , blessed both the sons of Joseph ; and worshipped , leaning upon the top of his staff . By faith Joseph , when he died , made mention of the departing of the children of Israel ; and gave commandment concerning his bones . By 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 . By faith Moses , when he was come to years , refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter ; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God , than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt : for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward . By faith he forsook Egypt , not fearing the wrath of the king : for he endured , as seeing him who is invisible . Through faith he kept the passover , and the sprinkling of blood , lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them . By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land : which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned . By faith the walls of Jericho fell down , after they were compassed about seven days . By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not , when she had received the spies with peace . And 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 : Who through faith subdued kingdoms , wrought righteousness , obtained promises , stopped the mouths of lions , Quenched 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 . Women received their dead raised to life again : and others were tortured , not accepting deliverance ; that they might obtain a better resurrection : And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings , yea , moreover of bonds and imprisonment : They were stoned , they were sawn asunder , were tempted , were slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins ; being destitute , afflicted , tormented ; ( Of whom the world was not worthy : ) they wandered in deserts , and in mountains , and in dens and caves of the earth . And these all , having obtained a good report through faith , received not the promise : God having provided some better thing for us , that they without us should not be made perfect . Wherefore 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 , Looking 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 . For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself , lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds . Ye have not yet resisted unto blood , striving against sin . And 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 : For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth , and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth . If ye endure chastening , God dealeth with you as with sons ; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not ? But if ye be without chastisement , whereof all are partakers , then are ye bastards , and not sons . Furthermore 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 ? For 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 . Now 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 . Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down , and the feeble knees ; And make straight paths for your feet , lest that which is lame be turned out of the way ; but let it rather be healed . Follow peace with all men , and holiness , without which no man shall see the Lord : Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you , and thereby many be defiled ; Lest there be any fornicator , or profane person , as Esau , who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright . For 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 . For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched , and that burned with fire , nor unto blackness , and darkness , and tempest , And 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 : ( 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 : And so terrible was the sight , that Moses said , I exceedingly fear and quake : ) But ye are come unto mount Sion , and unto the city of the living God , the heavenly Jerusalem , and to an innumerable company of angels , To 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 , And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant , and to the blood of sprinkling , that speaketh better things than that of Abel . See 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 : Whose voice then shook the earth : but now he hath promised , saying , Yet once more I shake not the earth only , but also heaven . And 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 . Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved , let us have grace , whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear : For our God is a consuming fire . Let brotherly love continue . Be not forgetful to entertain strangers : for thereby some have entertained angels unawares . Remember them that are in bonds , as bound with them ; and them which suffer adversity , as being yourselves also in the body . Marriage is honourable in all , and the bed undefiled : but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge . Let 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 . So that we may boldly say , The Lord is my helper , and I will not fear what man shall do unto me . Remember 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 . Jesus Christ the same yesterday , and to day , and for ever . Be 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 . We have an altar , whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle . For the bodies of those beasts , whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin , are burned without the camp . Wherefore Jesus also , that he might sanctify the people with his own blood , suffered without the gate . Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp , bearing his reproach . For here have we no continuing city , but we seek one to come . By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually , that is , the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name . But to do good and to communicate forget not : for with such sacrifices God is well pleased . Obey 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 . Pray for us : for we trust we have a good conscience , in all things willing to live honestly . But I beseech you the rather to do this , that I may be restored to you the sooner . Now 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 , Make 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 . And I beseech you , brethren , suffer the word of exhortation : for I have written a letter unto you in few words . Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty ; with whom , if he come shortly , I will see you . Salute all them that have the rule over you , and all the saints . They of Italy salute you . Grace be with you all . Amen .