Category: Hebrews

1 Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.

2 For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.

3 By faith, we understand the world to be fashioned by the Word of God, so that the visible might be made by the invisible.

4 By faith, Abel offered to God a much better sacrifice than that of Cain, through which he obtained testimony that he was just, in that God offered testimony to his gifts. And through that sacrifice, he still speaks to us, though he is dead.

5 By faith, Enoch was transferred, so that he would not see death, and he was not found because God had transferred him. For before he was transferred, he had testimony that he pleased God.

6 But without faith, it is impossible to please God. For whoever approaches God must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him.

7 By faith, Noah, having accepted an answer about those things which were not yet seen, being afraid, fashioned an ark for the salvation of his house. Through the ark, he condemned the world, and was established as the heir of the justice that occurs through faith.

8 By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise.

10 For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

11 By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised.

12 Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.

13 All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth.

14 For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.

15 And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.

16 But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.

18 To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”

19 indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

20 By faith, also, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning future events.

21 By faith, Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and he reverenced the summit of his rod.

22 By faith, Joseph, as he was dying, recalled the departure of the sons of Israel, and gave a commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith, Moses, after being born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they had seen that he was a graceful infant, and they did not fear the king’s edict.

24 By faith, Moses, after growing up, denied himself a place as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

25 choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, rather than to have the pleasantness of sin for a time,

26 valuing the reproach of Christ to be a greater wealth than the treasures of the Egyptians. For he looked forward to his reward.

27 By faith, he abandoned Egypt, not dreading the animosity of the king. For he pressed on, as if seeing him who is unseen.

28 By faith, he celebrated the Passover and the shedding of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them.

29 By faith, they crossed the Red Sea, as if on dry land, yet when the Egyptians attempted it, they were swallowed up.

30 By faith, the walls of Jericho collapsed, after being encircled for seven days.

31 By faith, Rahab, the harlot, did not perish with the unbelievers, after receiving the spies with peace.

32 And what should I say next? For time is not sufficient for me to give an account of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the Prophets:

33 those who, by faith, conquered kingdoms, accomplished justice, obtained promises, closed the mouths of lions,

34 extinguished the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered from infirmities, showed strength in battle, turned back the armies of foreigners.

35 Women received their dead by means of resurrection. But others suffered severe punishment, not yet receiving redemption, so that they would find a better resurrection.

36 Truly, others were tested by mocking and lashes, and moreover by chains and imprisonment.

37 They were stoned; they were cut; they were tempted. With the slaughter of the sword, they were killed. They wandered about in sheepskin and in goatskin, in dire need, in anguish afflicted.

38 Of them, the world was not worthy, wandering in solitude on mountains, in the caves and caverns of the earth.

39 And all these, having been proven by the testimony of faith, did not receive the Promise.

40 God’s Providence holds something better for us, so that not without us would they be perfected.

1 Furthermore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses over us, let us set aside every burden and sin which may surround us, and advance, through patience, to the struggle offered to us.

2 Let us gaze upon Jesus, as the Author and the completion of our faith, who, having joy laid out before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and who now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 So then, meditate upon him who endured such adversity from sinners against himself, so that you may not become weary, failing in your souls.

4 For you have not yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to you like sons, saying: “My son, do not be willing to neglect the discipline of the Lord. Neither should you become weary, while being rebuked by him.”

6 For whomever the Lord loves, he chastises. And every son whom he accepts, he scourges.

7 Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct?

8 But if you are without that discipline in which all have become sharers, then you are of adultery, and you are not sons.

9 Then, too, we have certainly had the fathers of our flesh as instructors, and we reverenced them. Should we not obey the Father of spirits all the more, and so live?

10 And indeed, for a few days and according to their own wishes, they instructed us. But he does so to our benefit, so that we may receive his sanctification.

11 Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it.

12 Because of this, lift up your lazy hands and your lax knees,

13 and straighten the path of your feet, so that no one, being lame, may wander astray, but instead may be healed.

14 Pursue peace with everyone. Pursue sanctity, without which no one shall see God.

15 Be contemplative, lest anyone lack the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up and impede you, and by it, many might be defiled,

16 lest any fornicator or worldly person be like Esau, who, for the sake of one meal, sold his birthright.

17 For you know that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the benediction, he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance, even though he had sought it with tears.

18 But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm,

19 or the sound of a trumpet, or a voice of words. Those who had experienced these things excused themselves, lest the Word be spoken to them.

20 For they could not bear what was said, and so, if even a beast would have touched the mountain, it would have been stoned.

21 And what was seen was so terrible that even Moses said: “I am terrified, and so, I tremble.”

22 But you have drawn near to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels,

23 and to the Church of the first-born, those who have been inscribed in the heavens, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,

24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, and to a sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

25 Be careful not to reject the One who is speaking. For if those who rejected him who was speaking upon the earth were not able to escape, so much more we who might turn away from the One who is speaking to us from heaven.

26 Then, his voice moved the earth. But now, he makes a promise, saying: “There is still one more time, and then I will move, not only the earth, but also heaven itself.”

27 And so, in saying, “There is still one more time,” he declares the transfer of the moveable things of creation, so that those things which are immoveable may remain.

28 Thus, in receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace. So, through grace, let us be of service, by pleasing God with fear and reverence.

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

1 May fraternal charity remain in you.

2 And do not be willing to forget hospitality. For by it, certain persons, without realizing it, have received Angels as guests.

3 Remember those who are prisoners, just as if you were imprisoned with them, and those who endure hardships, just as if you were in their place.

4 May marriage be honorable in every way, and may the marriage bed be immaculate. For God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

5 Let your behavior be without avarice; be content with what you are offered. For he himself has said, “I will not abandon you, and I will not neglect you.”

6 So then, we may confidently say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me.”

7 Remember your leaders, who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose faith you imitate, by observing the goal of their way of life:

8 Jesus Christ, yesterday and today; Jesus Christ forever.

9 Do not be led away by changing or strange doctrines. And it is best for the heart to be sustained by grace, not by foods. For the latter have not been as useful to those who walked by them.

10 We have an altar: those who serve in the tabernacle have no authority to eat from it.

11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is carried into the Holy of holies by the high priest, on behalf of sin, are burned outside the camp.

12 Because of this, Jesus, too, in order to sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 And so, let us go forth to him, outside the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For in this place, we have no everlasting city; instead, we seek one in the future.

15 Therefore, through him, let us offer the sacrifice of continual praise to God, which is the fruit of lips confessing his name.

16 But do not be willing to forget good works and fellowship. For God is deserving of such sacrifices.

17 Obey your leaders and be subject to them. For they watch over you, as if to render an account of your souls. So then, may they do this with joy, and not with grief. Otherwise, it would not be as helpful to you.

18 Pray for us. For we trust that we have a good conscience, being willing to conduct ourselves well in all things.

19 And I beg you, all the more, to do this, so that I may be quickly returned to you.

20 Then may the God of peace, who led back from the dead that great Pastor of sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the blood of the eternal testament,

21 equip you with all goodness, so that you may do his will. May he accomplish in you whatever is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I beg you, brothers, that you may permit this word of consolation, especially since I have written to you with few words.

23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he arrives soon, then I will see you with him.

24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. The brothers from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.