1 Let us pass on then to what is mature, leaving elementary Christian doctrine behind, instead of laying the foundation over again with repentance from dead works, with faith in God,
2 with instruction about ablutions and the laying on of hands, about the resurrection of the dead and eternal punishment.
3 With God's permission, we will take this step.
4 For in the case of people who have been once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly Gift, who participated in the holy Spirit,
5 who tasted the goodness of God's word and the powers of the world to come, and then fell away ??6 it is impossible to make them repent afresh, since they crucify the Son of God in their own persons and hold him up to obloquy.
7 For land which absorbs the rain that often falls on it, and bears plants that are useful to those for whom it is tilled, receives a blessing from God;
8 whereas, if it produces thorns and thistles, it is reprobate and on the verge of being cursed ??its fate is to be burned.
9 Though I say this, beloved, I feel sure you will take the better course that means salvation.
10 God is not unfair; he will not forget what you have done, or the love you have shown for his sake in ministering, as you still do, to the saints.
11 It is my heart's desire that each of you would prove equally keen upon realizing your full hope to the very end,
12 so that instead of being slack you may imitate those who inherit the promises by their stedfast faith.
13 For in making a promise to Abraham God swore by himself (since he could swear by none greater),
15 Thus it was that Abraham by his stedfastness obtained what he had been promised.
16 For as men swear by a greater than themselves, and as an oath means to them a guarantee that ends any dispute,
17 God, in his desire to afford the heirs of the Promise a special proof of the solid character of his purpose, interposed with an oath;
18 so that by these two solid facts (the Promise and the Oath), where it is impossible for God to be false, we refugees might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us,
19 anchoring the soul to it safe and sure, as it enters the inner Presence behind the veil.
20 There Jesus entered for us in advance, when he became high priest for ever with the rank of Melchizedek.