In times past the word of God came to our fathers through the prophets, in different parts and in different ways;

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;

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 as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

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 despise so great salvation? Which at the first began to be preached of the Lord himself, and afterward was confirmed unto us ward, by them that heard it;

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?

Rather admonish one another daily, so long as this word To-day is uttered, that none of you may be deceived by sin and hardened.

this word ever sounding in our ears, To-day, when you hear his voice, harden not your hearts as at the Provocation.

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to those who had not hearkened to the word?

Let us then, though we still have God's word that we may come into his rest, go in fear that some of you may be unable to do so.

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 do enter the Rest by our faith: according to his word, As I swore in my anger, they shall never enter my Rest ??although his works were all over by the foundation of the world.

Seeing therefore it remains that some enter into it, and those who first received the glad tidings did not enter in on account of not hearkening to the word,

Let us therefore use diligence to enter into that rest, that no one may fall after the same example of not hearkening to the word.

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.

No creature can hide from him, but everyone is exposed and helpless before the eyes of the one to whom we must give a word of explanation.

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are wayward; for he himself also is beset with weakness.

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.

Concerning whom there is much word to us, and difficult to speak, since you are dull of hearing.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us go on to what belongs to full growth, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,

and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John's and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment.

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

And so, when he had been waiting calmly for a long time, God's word to him was put into effect.

So that when it was God's desire to make it specially clear to those who by his word were to have the heritage, that his purpose was fixed, he made it more certain with an oath;

And - so to say a word - through Abraham, even Levi who taketh tithes hath paid tithes;

For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

(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:)

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.

but Christ, the high priest of a better dispensation that was to come, having appeared, is enter'd into the holy of holys by a nobler and more perfect tabernacle, not the effect of human art, but of a higher nature;

And for this cause it is through him that a new agreement has come into being, so that after the errors under the first agreement had been taken away by his death, the word of God might have effect for those who were marked out for an eternal heritage.

saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you-ward.

for Christ is not entred into a sanctuary made by human art, such as is only representative of the true one, but into heaven itself, to appear from henceforth in the presence of God on our behalf:

Farther back, saying, That sacrifice and bringing in and whole burnt offerings and for sin thou wouldest not, neither wert contented with; which are brought in according to law;

Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word];

A man that hath set at nought Moses law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses:

For, having done what was right in God's eyes, you have need of waiting before his word has effect for you.

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 even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive [a child], even [when she was long] past the normal age for it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word].

simply fixing our gaze upon Jesus, our Prince Leader in the faith, who will also award us the prize. He, for the sake of the joy which lay before Him, patiently endured the cross, looking with contempt upon its shame, and afterwards seated Himself-- where He still sits--at the right hand of the throne of God.

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:

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:

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.

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.

Continue to follow and be submissive to your leaders, since they are watching over your souls as those who will have to give a word of explanation. By doing this, you will be letting them carry out their duties joyfully, and not with grief, for that would be harmful for you.

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.