Concerning Him we have much to say, and much that it would be difficult to make clear to you, since you have become so dull of apprehension.

If then He were still on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since here there are already those who present the offerings in obedience to the Law,

For if that first Covenant had been free from imperfection, there would have been no attempt to introduce another.

a Covenant unlike the one which I made with their forefathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out from the land of Egypt; for they would not remain faithful to that.' 'So I turned from them,' says the Lord.

In that case Christ would have needed to suffer many times, from the creation of the world onwards; but as a matter of fact He has appeared once for all, at the Close of the Ages, in order to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

For then would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, because the consciences of the worshippers--who in that case would now have been cleansed once for all--would no longer be burdened with sins?

And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return;

Therefore, if you would escape becoming weary and faint-hearted, compare your own sufferings with those of Him who endured such hostility directed against Him by sinners.

Obey your leaders and be submissive to them. For they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give account; that they may do this with joy and not with lamentation. For that would be of no advantage to you.