Many were the forms and fashions in which God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets,

and, as though they were a mantle Thou wilt roll them up; yes, like a garment, and they will undergo change. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will never come to an end."

Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, so that we will not drift away.

Forasmuch, then, as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part with them, for to put down through death him that had lordship over death: that is to say, the devil.

and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken,

for we were receiv'd into the communion of Christ, upon condition of inviolably maintaining the hope we had at the beginning even unto the end,

For who were they that heard and yet provoked him? Was it not all who came out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses?

But with whom was he displeased forty years? Was he not displeased with them that sinned: whose carcasses were overthrown in the desert?

To whom did he swear that they would not enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient?

We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard did not profit them, because they were not united by faith with those who heard.

For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,

he pointed out another time in the words, which were spoken by David, a long time after their going into Canaan, in the passage just now quoted, "today since ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

And though he were God's son, yet learned he obedience, by those things which he suffered,

For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

In order that, not slothful, ye may become, but imitators of them who, through faith and patience, were becoming heirs of the promises.

His words were-- 'I will assuredly bless thee and increase thy numbers.'

So that when it was God's desire to make it specially clear to those who by his word were to have the heritage, that his purpose was fixed, he made it more certain with an oath;

but he who was not of their pedigree, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him to whom the promises were made.

Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood, (and it was under it that the people received the Law) why was it still necessary for another kind of priest to arise, after the order of Melchizedek, instead of being reckoned according to the order of Aaron?

For he unto whom these things were spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one ministers at the altar:

And as he was not [constituted] without swearing,??21 for they were made priests without swearing, but he with swearing by him who says to him, The Lord swore, and he will not change, You are a priest forever;??22 by so much is Jesus the pledge of a better covenant.

(for they indeed were made priests without 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:")

And they indeed are many who were made priests, because by death they were prevented from abiding [in their office]:

as those high priests of the law were, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: having done this once for all, by offering up himself.

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the Law;

for if that first were faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second.

For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lampstand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place.

having the golden censer, and the coffer of the covenant, overlaid with gold within and without, in which were the golden urn containing the manna, and Aaron's rod which had budded, and the stone tables of the covenant;

while above it, overshadowing the mercy-seat, were the cherubim of glory. But I must not speak about these in detail.

Now when these things were thus disposed, the priests entered continually into the first tabernacle indeed, performing the divine services:

which was a similitude for the time then present, and in which were offered gifts and sacrifices that could not make them that minister perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

with meats only and drinks, and divers washings, and justifyings of the flesh, which were ordained until the time of reformation.

But Christ having come, a chief priest of the good times that were to come, with a greater and a more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,

For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling those who were defiled, sanctifies for the purification of the flesh,

For this reason he is the mediator of a New Covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

For when all the commandments were read of Moses unto all the people, he took the blood of calves, and of goats, with water and purple wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

And in the same way he also sprinkled with the blood the Tabernacle and all the things that were used in public worship.

By such means, therefore, these things that were only copied from the originals in heaven had to be purified, but the heavenly originals themselves required far better sacrifices than these.

For Christ is not entered into holy places made with hands, which were but types of the true ones; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

NOW the law, having a shadow of the good things which were to come, not the very substance of the things, cannot possibly, by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those perfect who approach [God];

For if it were otherwise, would not these sacrifices have stopped being offered? For the worshipers, having once [for all time] been cleansed, would no longer have a consciousness of sin.

whereas their annual sacrifices were accompanied with an anniversary commemoration of their sins.

In whole burnt offerings, and for sin thou were not pleased.

saying above, Sacrifice and offering and whole burnt offerings and for sin thou did not desire, nor were thou pleased with things that are offered according to the law.

Every other priest stands officiating day after day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices, though they were powerless ever to remove people's sins.

How much worse then, think you, will be the punishment deserved by those who have trampled underfoot the Son of God, who have treated the blood that rendered the Covenant valid--the very blood by which they were purified--as of no account, and who have outraged the Spirit of Love?

But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings;

partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.

For you both had compassion on them that were in chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an enduring one.

By it the elders were well reported of.

By faith we understand that the worlds were exactly formed by the word of God, so that the visible objects were not made out of things which now appear.

By faith Noah, being moved by the fear of God, made ready an ark for the salvation of his family, because God had given him news of things which were not seen at the time; and through it the world was judged by him, and he got for his heritage the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith he made his temporary home in the land that God had promised him, although a land inhabited by others, living merely in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were to share the promise with him.

Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed [as their true home], they would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return.

But in reality they were aspiring for a better country, I mean, a heavenly one. This is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

'Twas by faith that Abraham, when put to the trial, offered up Isaac: HE offered up his darling son, to whose posterity the promises were to be made good:

Faith enabled Isaac to bequeath to Jacob and Esau blessings that were still to be.

By [having] faith, when Joseph was about to die, he mentioned the Israelites' departure [from Egypt] and gave [them] instructions concerning his bones [i.e., that they were to take them back to Palestine. See Gen. 50:25].

By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward.

By faith he left Egypt, because he was not afraid of the king's anger, for he persevered as though he were actually seeing Him who is unseen.

By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about, seven days.

By faith, Rahab the prostitute, did not perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.

And what further shall I say? For the time would fail me, were I to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also and Samuel, and of the prophets,

quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.

Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.

They were stoned. They were sawed apart. They were killed with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, mistreated

And [although they] all were approved through their faith, they did not receive what was promised,

for God had provided for them and us something better, so that apart from us they were not to attain to full blessedness.

Weigh well the example of him who had to endure such opposition from 'men who were sinning against themselves,' so that you should not grow weary or faint-hearted.

but if you were exempted from that discipline which others are subject to, then are you bastards, and not sons.

Then, indeed, fathers of our flesh we have had, chastising us, and we were reverencing them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of the spirits, and live?

for they, indeed, for a few days, according to what seemed good to them, were chastening, but He for profit, to be partakers of His separation;

Stretch forth therefore again the hands which were let down, and the weak knees,

For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a beast had touched the mountain, it must have been stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

to a festal gathering and assembly of firstborn sons who were enrolled in the heavens, and to God, a Judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men who were made fully perfect,

See that you give ear to his voice which comes to you. For if those whose ears were shut to the voice which came to them on earth did not go free from punishment, what chance have we of going free if we give no attention to him whose voice comes from heaven?

and this expression, yet once more" signifies the abolition of those changeable things which were only contriv'd, that what is unalterable might lastingly succeed.

Forget not hospitality: for by it some having entertained angels were incognizant.

Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated as being yourselves liable to the same trials.

Keep in mind those who were over you, and who gave you the word of God; seeing the outcome of their way of life, let your faith be like theirs.

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by food, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

than the sacrificers had to eat of the flesh of those beasts, which were burnt without the camp, and whose blood the highpriest carried into the sanctuary.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them : for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.