To use the words of Scripture-- 'If to-day you hear God's voice, harden not your hearts, as when Israel provoked me.'

For we have had the good news as well as they; only, the message they heard was of no use to them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers.

For, as we know, when speaking of the seventh day He has used the words, "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works;"

Let us therefore use diligence to enter into that rest, that no one may fall after the same example of not hearkening to the word.

For everyone who uses milk alone is inexperienced in the message of right-doing; he is only an infant.

But solid food belongs to full-grown men who on account of constant use have their faculties trained to distinguish good and evil.

and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John's and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment.

for the earth which drinks up the frequent show'rs that fall upon it, and produces plants fit for the use of him that cultivates it, is stiled heavenly land:

But if it sends up thorns and evil plants, it is of no use and is ready to be cursed; its only end is to be burned.

When he says, A new agreement, he has made the first agreement old. But anything which is getting old and past use will not be seen much longer.

Even the first, indeed, therefore, used to have righteous appointments of divine service, even the holy ritual well arranged.

With these arrangements for worship, the priests used constantly to go into the outer part of the tent, in the performance of their rites,

So not even the first covenant was ratified without the use of blood.

And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the containers and sacred utensils of worship with the blood.

partly, being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, becoming partakers with them that were so used.

They were stoned to death, they were tortured, they were swan asunder, they were put to the sword; they wandered about clothed in the skins of sheep or goats, destitute, persecuted, ill-used--

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we used to treat them with respect; how much more cheerfully should we submit to the Father of our spirits, and live!

Look carefully [at how you are living] so that no one falls away from God's unearned favor, and that no "poisonous plant sprouts up" to cause trouble and corrupt many people [Note: This is an analogy from Deut. 29:16-18 being used as a warning against the evil influence of wicked people],

Never let yourselves be carried away with a variety of novel doctrines; for the right thing is to have one's heart strengthened by grace, not by the eating of food ??that has never been any use to those who have had recourse to it.