For if the word which was spoken by angels was firm, and every transgression and disobedience received just retribution,

but we see Jesus, who was made some little inferior to angels on account of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; so that by the grace of God he should taste death for every thing.

And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house, as a ministering servant, for a testimony of the things to be spoken after;

Wherefore I was wroth with this generation, and said, They always err in heart; and they have not known my ways;

(for who was it, who, having heard, provoked? but was it not all who came out of Egypt by Moses?

And with whom was he wroth forty years? Was it not with those who had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up both supplications and entreaties to him who was able to save him out of death, with strong crying and tears; (and having been heard because of his piety;)

that by two unchangeable things, in which it was impossible that God should lie, we might have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us,

Now consider how great this personage was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth out of the spoils.

For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedec met him.

If indeed then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, for the people had their law given to them in connexion with it, what need was there still that a different priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be named after the order of Aaron?

And by how much it was not without the swearing of an oath;

(who serve the representation and shadow of heavenly things, according as Moses was oracularly told when about to make the tabernacle; for See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern which has been shewn to thee in the mountain.)

For if that first was faultless, place had not been sought for a second.

For a tabernacle was set up; the first, in which were both the candlestick and the table and the exposition of the loaves, which is called Holy;

Whence neither the first was inaugurated without blood.

It was necessary then that the figurative representations of the things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with sacrifices better than these.

And the Holy Spirit also bears us witness of it; for after what was said:

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he has the testimony that he had pleased God.

By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and went out, not knowing where he was going.

counting that God was able to raise him even from among the dead, whence also he received him in a figure.

By faith Moses, being born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child beautiful; and they did not fear the injunction of the king.

(of whom the world was not worthy,) wandering in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caverns of the earth.

for ye know that also afterwards, desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, (for he found no place for repentance) although he sought it earnestly with tears.

For ye have not come to the mount that might be touched and was all on fire, and to obscurity, and darkness, and tempest,

(for they were not able to bear what was enjoined: And if a beast should touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;

and, so fearful was the sight, Moses said, I am exceedingly afraid and full of trembling;)