And, Thou, O Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth, And the heavens are the work of thy hands.

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for service in behalf of those who are about to inherit salvation?

It is not to angels that God subjected the age to be, of which we are speaking.

For both he who sanctifies and those whom he is sanctifying are all from One; for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying.

Therefore, since the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also similarly partook of the same, in order that through death he might render powerless him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

For inasmuch as he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is also able instantly to succor those who are tempted, he is also able instantly to succor those who are tempted.

but Christ as a Son in his own house; and we are that house, if we retain the cheerful courage and pride of our hope firm unto the end.

For this reason I was sore displeased with that generation, And said, "They are always wandering in their hearts; They have never learned my ways";

For we are become comrades of the Christ, if we hold our first title deed firm until the very end.

We are actually entering into that rest, we who have believed, as God has said,??n my wrath I swore??They shall not enter into my Rest

And this too, although you ought by this time to be teaching others, you are still needing some one to teach you the very rudiments of divine revelation. You need milk, not solid food.

But though we thus speak, we are persuaded better things of you, beloved, and things that accompany salvation.

For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you showed for his cause, in sending help to your fellow Christians, as you are still doing.

Then do not become slack, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises.

Now those of the sons of Levi who are appointed to the priesthood, are authorized by the Law to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brothers, and that too, although these are descended from Abraham.

For the words are in evidence, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hence also he is able to continue saving to the uttermost those who are ever drawing near to God through him, seeing that he is ever living to intercede for them.

Now were he on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there are here those who present the gifts according to the Law??5 those priests who serve a mere outline and shadow of the heavenly reality, just as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to build the Tabernacle. "See", he says, "that you make everything on the pattern showed you on the mountain."

But finding fault with them, He says. "There are days coming," says the Lord, "When I will establish with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant;

This is a parable, for the present time, according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered that are not able, as far as conscience is concerned, to perfect the worshiper;

But on the other hand, in these sacrifices sins are called to memory, year after year.

"But we are not of defections unto perdition, but of faith unto the gaining of the soul."

now without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he ever rewards those who are seeking.

For those who say such things make it plain that they are seeking a Fatherland.

but now they are longing for a better homeland, that is, a heavenly. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; and he has prepared a city for them.

Seeing then that we are encircled with this great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin that clings about us. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

It is for discipline that you are enduring these sufferings. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

If you are left without discipline, in which all children share, then are you bastards and not sons.

For you are not come to a palpable and enkindled fire,

On the contrary you are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to innumerable hosts of angels,

Wherefore since we are receiving a kingdom which is unshakable, let us give thanks, and so offer acceptable worship to God, with holy awe and fear,

Remember those who are in prison, as if you were fellow prisoners; remember too, those who are being ill-treated, since you too, are in the body.

For the bodies of the animals whose blood is carried by the High Priest into the Holy Place are burned outside the camp,

For we have not here an abiding city, but we are earnestly seeking the city that is to be.

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.