And to whom did God vow that they would not enter a state of rest with Him? [Was it not] those who were disobedient to Him?

so that there is not a creature that is concealed from his view: but all is naked and open to the eyes of him of whom we speak. Having then so great a high priest,

But we long for each of you to continue to manifest the same earnestness, with a view to your enjoying fulness of hope to the very End;

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He could not make a vow by anyone greater, He vowed by Himself,

For this Melchizedek was king of Salem [Note: This probably refers to Jerusalem], and a priest of the Most High God. He met Abraham returning [from battle] when he defeated the kings [See Gen. 14:1ff] and blessed him.

The point is still more clear in view of the fact that the appointment of the new priest resembles that of Melchizedek,

(for [Levitical] priests were appointed without [God] taking [such] an oath, but Christ was appointed with an oath by God when He said to Him [Psa. 110:4], "The Lord made a vow and will not change His mind [when He said], 'You are a priest forever')."

For God found fault with the Israelites [or, possibly with the first Agreement], saying [Jer. 31:31ff], "Look, the Lord says, the time will come when I will make a New Agreement with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.

Because this is the covenant that I will ordain with the house of Israel after those days, says Lord, giving my laws into their mind, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be to them for a God, and they will be to me fo

and above the chest were the winged creatures of the Divine Presence overshadowing the lid on which the blood was sprinkled??f which I cannot now speak in detail.

[Jer. 31:33f], "The Lord says, this is the Agreement I will make with them [i.e., with my people] after those days. I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds." Then He said,

And let us bestow thought on one another with a view to arousing one another to brotherly love and right conduct;

This, truly, being exposed to public view both by reproaches and pressures; and this, having been partakers of those thus overturned.

for he had in view the city, whose foundations are sure, the architect and founder being God.

These all died in faith, without receiving what was promised, having only a distant view of what they eagerly expected, professing to live as strangers and pilgrims in the land.

and truly, if that had been in their view, they might have had an opportunity of returning to the place from whence they came.

because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us.

looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And have you forgotten the exhortation that was addressed to you as sons? [Prov. 3:11f says], "My son, do not take the discipline of the Lord lightly, and do not get discouraged when He rebukes you.

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

For those people could not stand [hearing] the command [Ex. 19:12f], "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned [to death]."

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.