Again-- 'Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

Are not all the angels spirits in the service of God, sent out to minister for the sake of those who are destined to obtain Salvation?

God has not given to angels the control of that Future World of which we are speaking!

The fact that he himself suffered under temptation enables him to help those who are tempted.

the faithfulness of Christ was that of a Son set over the House of God. And we are his House--if only we retain, unshaken to the end, the courage and confidence inspired by our hope.

Therefore I was sorely vexed with that generation, And I said-- "Their hearts are always straying; They have never learned my ways";

Upon that Rest we who have believed are now entering. As God has said-- 'In my wrath I swore--"They shall never enter upon my Rest;"' Although God's work was finished at the creation of the world;

But about you, dear friends, even though we speak in this way, we are confident of better things--of things that point to your Salvation.

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

Then you will not show yourselves slow to learn, but you will copy those who, through faith and patience, are now entering upon the enjoyment of God's promises.

Those descendants of Levi, who are from time to time appointed to the priesthood, are directed to collect tithes from the people in accordance with the Law--that is from their own Brothers, although they also are descended from Abraham.

In the one case the tithes are received by mortal men; in the other case by one about whom there is the statement that his life still continues.

Again, new Levitical priests are continually being appointed, because death prevents their remaining in office;

The Law appoints as High Priests men who are liable to infirmity, but the words of God's oath, which was later than the Law, name the Son as, for all time, the perfect Priest.

If he were, however, still upon earth, he would not even be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts as the Law directs.

(These priests, it is true, are engaged in a service which is only a copy and shadow of the heavenly realities, as is shown by the directions given to Moses when he was about to construct the Tabernacle. 'Look to it,' are the words, 'that thou make every part in accordance with the pattern shown thee on the mountain.')

while above it, and overshadowing the Cover on which atonement was made, are the Cherubim of the Presence. But I must not now dwell on these things in detail.

Such, then, was the arrangement of the Tabernacle. Into the outer part priests are constantly going, in the discharge of their sacred duties;

For that was only a type, to continue down to the present time; and, in keeping with it, both gifts and sacrifices are offered, though incapable of satisfying the conscience of the worshiper;

so it is with the Christ. He was offered up once and for all, to 'bear away the sins of many'; and the second time he will appear--but without any burden of sin--to those who are waiting for him, to bring Salvation.

and then there is added-- 'See, I have come to do thy will.' The former sacrifices are set aside to be replaced by the latter.

By a single offering he has made perfect for all time those who are being purified.

And, when these are forgiven, there is no further need of an offering for sin.

Those who speak thus show plainly that they are seeking their fatherland.

For he counted 'the reproaches that are heaped upon the Christ' of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, looking forward, as he did, to the reward awaiting him.

and you have forgotten the encouraging words which are addressed to you as God's Children-- 'My child, think not lightly of the Lord's discipline, do not despond when he rebukes you;

If you are left without that discipline, in which all children share, it shows that you are bastards, and not true Children.

to the festal gathering and assemblage of God's Eldest Sons whose names are enrolled in Heaven, to God the Judge of all men, to the spirits of the righteous who have attained perfection,

Remember the prisoners, as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and the oppressed, not forgetting that you also are still in the body.

Let marriage be honoured by all and the married life be pure; for God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

Do not let yourselves be carried away by the various novel forms of teaching. It is better to rely for spiritual strength upon the divine help, than upon regulations regarding food; for those whose lives are guided by such regulations have not found them of service.

We are not without an altar; but it is one at which those who still worship in the Tabernacle have no right to eat.

The bodies of those animals whose blood is brought by the High Priest into the Sanctuary, as an offering for sin, are burnt outside the camp.

for here we have no permanent city, but are looking for the City that is to be.

Never forget to do kindly acts and to share what you have with others, for such sacrifices are acceptable to God.

Obey your Leaders, and submit to their control, for they are watching over your souls, as men who will have to render an account, so that they may do it with joy, and not in sorrow. That would not be to your advantage.

Pray for us, for we are sure that our consciences are clear, since our wish is to be occupied with what is good.