1 Therefore, passing by the first doctrine of Christ, let us be born onward to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith in God,

2 (of the doctrine of baptisms and of the imposition of hands,) and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment;

3 And this we shall do, if God will permit.

4 For it is impossible that those who have been once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 And have fallen away, should be renewed again into repentance, they having again crucified to themselves the Son of God, and exposed him to open shame.

7 For the earth, which drinketh the rain which often cometh upon it, and bringeth forth a blade meet for them by whom it is cultivated, receiveth a blessing from God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is worthless and nigh a curse, the end of which is to be burned.

9 But we are persuaded, beloved, of better things respecting you, and those connected with salvation, though we thus speak:

10 For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the labor of that love which yon have shewed towards his name, since ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 But we desire that every one of you should shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end;

12 So that ye may not become slothful, but be followers of those who by faith and patience have inherited the promises.

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he bad none greater by whom he could swear, he swore by himself,

14 Saying, "Blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee:"

15 And so after having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.

16 For men indeed swear by one who is greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all dispute:

17 Therefore God, willing more abundantly to shew to the heirs of salvation the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath;

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible that God should lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled to lay hold on the hope set before us:

19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, safe and firm, and entering into what is within the veil;

20 Where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered, having been made a high priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedec.