GOD, who spake to the fathers of old at various times, and in different manners by the prophets,

in these last days hath spoken to us by a Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

who being the splendour of his glory, and the very impress of his substance, and upholding all things with his powerful word, by himself having effected the cleansing of our sins, he sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high;

And concerning the angels indeed he thus speaks: "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministering servants a flame of fire."

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of exultation above those who partake with thee."

Are they not all ministerial spirits, sent to perform service on account of those who are about to inherit salvation?

how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which, commencing at the beginning to be spoken by the Lord, was confirmed unto us by those who had heard him;

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to perfect the Author of their salvation by sufferings.

For both he that sanctifies, and they who are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Seeing therefore that the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he also himself, in exact resemblance, partook of the same, that by death he might destroy him who held the power of death, that is, the devil;

for inasmuch as he hath himself suffered, having been tempted, he is able to succour those who are tempted.

WHEREFORE, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, contemplate the apostle and high-priest whom ye confess, Jesus Christ;

who was faithful to him who appointed him, as Moses also was in all his house.

For this personage hath been counted worthy of higher glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who built it, hath greater honour than the house.

For every house is built by some person; but he who is the architect of all things is God.

For some, though they had heard, provoked him; yet not all who came out of Egypt by Moses.

But against whom was he incensed forty years? Was it not against those who had sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?

And to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest, but to those who did not believe?

For we are hearing the same gospel preached as they did; but the word heard did not profit them, not being incorporated by faith with those who heard it.

For we who have believed, have entered into the rest, even as he said, "So, I sware in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest;" and that notwithstanding the works were done from the foundation of the world.

Forasmuch therefore as it remaineth for some to enter into it, and they who first had the gospel preached to them entered not in because of unbelief;

Even creation is not invisible before him, but all things are naked, and fully displayed before his eyes, to whom we must give our account.

And no man assumes to himself this honour, but he who is called of God, even as Aaron was.

So Christ also did not himself assume the glory to become high-priest, but he [gave it] who spake to him, "Thou art my Son; I have this day begotten thee."

who in the days of his flesh, with strong crying and tears, having offered up prayers and supplications to him who was able to save him from death, and being heard for his reverential awe,

and complete himself, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him;

Concerning whom we have much to discourse, and of difficult interpretation to explain, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

For though ye ought for the time to be teachers of others, ye have again need that some one teach you the leading principles of the oracles of God; and are become as those who need milk, and not solid food.

For every one who useth milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness: for he is an infant.

For it is not possible to renew again unto repentance those who have been once illuminated, and have tasted the celestial gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

For the earth which imbibes the rain which often falls upon it, and bringeth forth herbage suitable for those by whom it is cultured, receiveth a blessing from God;

that ye be not slothful, but imitators of those who, by faith and long suffering, are inheriting the promises.

that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us;

FOR this Melchisedec, king of Salem, a priest of God most high, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

to whom also Abraham gave a tenth share of all the spoil: being, as the interpretation of his name imports, first, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, that is, King of peace:

Now observe how great is this [Melchisedec], to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave the tenth of the spoils.

For they indeed of the sons of Levi, who are admitted to priesthood, have an order to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though also sprung from the loins of Abraham.

But he who derived not his genealogy from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises;

And, if I may so say, through Abraham even Levi, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes.

For he to whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, in which no man approached the altar.

who was not made such by the law of a carnal commandment, but by the power of a life indissoluble.

(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]:

Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost those who come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

who hath not daily need, as the high-priests, first, to offer sacrifice for their own sins, afterwards, for those of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.

NOW the summary of the things spoken is this: we have such an high-priest, who hath taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens;

For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, there being priests who offer gifts according to the law;

who perform the service after the figure and shadow of things in the heavens, as Moses was divinely instructed, when he was about to finish the tabernacle. "For see," saith God, "that thou make all things according to the model shewed thee on the mount."

which figurative representation [continues] unto the present time, according to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot, with respect to conscience, make him perfect who performs the services,

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who, by the eternal Spirit, offered up himself in sacrifice without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, that we may perform divine service to the living God?

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that, death being suffered for the redemption of transgressions committed against the first testament, they who are called might receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

so Christ having been once offered in sacrifice to bear the sins of men, will appear the second time without sin, to those who expect him, for their salvation.

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];

else they would have discontinued to make the offering, because they who performed the service being once made clean, would have had no more sense of sins on their conscience.

For by one oblation he hath made those perfect for ever who are sanctified.

let us hold fast the profession of hope unwavering, (for he who promises is faithful.)

Any man who treated the law of Moses with neglect, was put to death, without mercy, on the deposition of two or three witnesses:

by how much, think ye, shall he be counted worthy of more condign punishment who hath trampled on the Son of God, and regarded the blood of his testament, by which he was sanctified, as an unclean thing, and hath treated the gracious Spirit contumeliously?

For we know him who declares, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." And again, "The Lord will judge his people."

partly while publicly exposed to revilings and tribulations, partly as being in communion with those who were treated in this manner.

But we are not of those who turn back unto perdition; but of those who believe to the salvation of the soul.

But without faith it is impossible to be acceptable; for he must believe, who cometh unto God, that he exists, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

By faith also that very Sarah, who was barren, received ability for the conception of seed, and past the usual time of life brought forth a child, because she accounted that he who promised it, would be true to his promise.

Now they who speak thus, shew evidently that they are in earnest search of their native country.

By faith Abraham, when tried, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promise, presented in sacrifice his only begotten son,

unto whom it had been said, "That by Isaac shall there be a seed bearing thy name:"

By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with those who were infidels, having received the spies in peace.

who by faith vanquished kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered up and down in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caverns of the earth.

earnestly looking up to Jesus the author and the finisher of faith; who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

If ye patiently endure correction, God carries himself towards you as his children: for who is the son whom the father doth not correct?

Now all correction at the moment seemeth not to be cause for joy, but for sorrow; but after a while it produceth peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have thereby been disciplined.

lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of bread parted with his birthrights.

and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they who heard, earnestly begged that the discourse might not be directed to them:

Beware that ye reject not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not, who rejected him, that upon earth spake by divine influence, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him who speaks from heaven:

Remember those who are in chains, as in chains with them; and those who are suffering afflictions, as being yourselves also in the body.

Remember your presidents, who have spoken to you the word of God: the ultimate issue of whose conduct attentively observing, be imitators of their fidelity.

Be not tossed about by various and strange doctrines: for it is good to have the heart firmly established by grace, not by meats, in which observances they who have walked have found no manner of advantage.

We have an altar, of which they have no right to eat, who perform the service in the tabernacle.

Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great pastor of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting testament,

make you fit for every good work to do his will, producing in you that which is acceptable in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory unto the everlasting ages. Amen.

Know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.