And in another place, "Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast founded the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands:

Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to attend on those who shall be heirs of salvation?

For it became Him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect by sufferings:

since He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Seeing then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself in like manner partook of them; that by death He might destroy him that had the empire of death, that is, the devil:

for as He himself hath suffered, in being tempted, He is able to succour those that are tempted.

but Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house we are, if we maintain the free profession and exultation of hope firm unto the end.

wherefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, They are always erring in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

for we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold fast our first confidence firm unto the end; inasmuch as it is said,

for we are graciously offered it, as they also were. But the word, which they heard, did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some are to enter into it, and they to whom it was at first offered did not enter because of their unbelief,

And there is no creature concealed from his sight: but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him, to whom we are to give an account.

who can have due compassion on the ignorant and those that are going astray; seeing he himself also is surrounded with infirmity:

Concerning whom we have much to say and difficult to be explained, since ye are become dull of hearing.

For whereas ye ought for the time to be teachers of others, ye have need again of some one to teach you the first rudiments of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food.

but that which bringeth forth thorns and briars, is rejected and near to a curse, (whose end is burning) so are they.

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

that ye would not be sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises.

Now He, of whom these things are said, is of another tribe, of which none ever attended at the altar..

(for they indeed are become priests without the solemnity of an oath; but He with an oath, by Him who said unto Him, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:")

For if He were on earth, He could not be a priest, seeing there are priests already that offer gifts according to the law:

Which figure remains to the present time, wherein gifts and sacrifices are offered, that cannot perfect the worshipper as to his conscience,

And on this account He is the mediator of a new covenant, that undergoing death for the redemption of transgressions against the first covenant, they that are called might receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

For a testament is valid after men are dead, but is of no force while the testator is living.

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

so Christ, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear the second time without sin, to those who are waiting for Him, unto salvation.

Having said before, "Thou didst not desire, nor hadst pleasure in, sacrifice and offering, and whole burnt-offerings, and sacrifices for sin," (which are offered by the law) then He adds,

By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

For by one offering He hath perfected for ever those that are sanctified.

But we are not of those who withdraw to perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, for the things which are seen were not made of things which appear.

Now they that say such things shew plainly that they are seeking their own country:

But if ye be without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons.

Now no chastening seems for the present to be matter of joy but of grief: and yet afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those that are exercised thereby.

Ye are not come to a tangible mountain, and burning fire, and a thick cloud, and darkness, and tempest,

but ye are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,

to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,

Now this expression "yet once more" signifieth the removing of the things that are shaken, as of things which had been appointed only for a season, that those which cannot be shaken may remain.

Remember those that are in bonds, as if bound with them: and those that suffer evil as being yourselves also in the body.

As the bodies of those animals, whose blood being offered for sin is brought into the holy place by the high-priest, are not eaten, but are burnt without the camp.

but are seeking that which is to come.

Be ruled by those that are your guides, and submit to them: for they watch for your souls; (as those that must give an account) that they may do it with joy and not with uneasiness: for this were unprofitable for you.

Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, desiring in all things to behave well.