| New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
| 1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. | 1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. |
| 2You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. | 2You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. |
| 3And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. | 3And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. |
| 4For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, | 4For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, |
| 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— | 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— |
| 6and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. | 6and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. |
| 7When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. | 7When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. |
| 8But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it. | 8But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it. |
| 9Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. | 9Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. |
| 10For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. | 10For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. |
| 11Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. | 11Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. |
| 12Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. God’s Promises Bring Hope | 12Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. God’s Promises Bring Hope |
| 13For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: | 13For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: |
| 14“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” | 14“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” |
| 15Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. | 15Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. |
| 16Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. | 16Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. |
| 17God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. | 17God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. |
| 18So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. | 18So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. |
| 19This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. | 19This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. |
| 20Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. | 20Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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