For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"?

And, "In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

All of them are spirits on a divine mission, sent to serve those who are about to inherit salvation, aren't they?

For he did not put the coming world we are talking about under the control of angels.

because both the one who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

but the Messiah was faithful as the Son in charge of God's household, and we are his household if we hold on to our courage and the hope in which we rejoice.

even though they had seen my actions for 40 years. That is why I was indignant with that generation and said, "They are always going astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.'

because we are the Messiah's partners only if we hold on to our original confidence to the end.

We who have believed are entering that rest, just as he has said, "So in my anger I swore a solemn oath that they would never enter my rest,"

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Instead, we have one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet he never sinned.

He can deal gently with people who are ignorant and easily deceived, since he himself is subject to weakness.

In the same way, the Messiah did not take upon himself the glory of being a high priest. No, it was God who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."

As he also says in another place, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

But solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case, things that point to salvation.

Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are inheriting the promises through faith and patience.

The descendants of Levi who accept the priesthood have a commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their own brothers, even though they are also descendants of Abraham.

Mortal men collect tithes, but we are informed by Scripture that Melchizedek keeps on living.

For the person we are talking about belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.

For it is declared about him, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

but Jesus became a priest with an oath when God told him, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever."

For the Law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promised oath, which came after the Law, results in a Son who is eternally perfect.

Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we do have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven

but God found something wrong with his people when he said, "Look! The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.

since they deal only with food, drink, and various washings, which are required for the body until the time when things would be set right.

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are unclean purifies them physically,

This is why the Messiah is the mediator of a new covenant; so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance promised them, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the offenses committed under the first covenant.

Thus it was necessary for these earthly copies of the things in heaven to be cleansed by these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves are made clean with better sacrifices than these.

Indeed, just as people are destined to die once and after that to be judged,

In this passage he says, "You never wanted or took delight in sacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and sin offerings," which are offered according to the Law.

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Now, we do not belong to those who turn back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

By faith we understand that time was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are invisible.

For people who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.

You have forgotten the encouragement that is addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline or give up when you are corrected by him.

Now if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not God's sons.

to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of righteous people who have been made perfect,

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and worship God in reverence and fear in a way that pleases him.

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them, as well as those who are mistreated, since they also are only mortal.

For the bodies of animals, whose blood is taken into the sanctuary by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.

For here we have no permanent city but are looking for the one that is coming.

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.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you.