For the law having a shadow of the good things that are coming, not the same substance of the events, with the same sacrifices that are offered continually each year, they are never able to fully perfect those who are approaching.

But on the other hand, in these sacrifices sins are called to memory, year after year.

Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and'sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law),

and then there is added-- 'See, I have come to do thy will.' The former sacrifices are set aside to be replaced by the latter.

By which will we are sanctified through the one time offering of the body of Jesus Christ.

Every other priest stands officiating day after day and over and over again offering the same sacrifices, although they are unable to take away our sins.

waiting henceforth until his enemies are placed a footstool of his feet.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

For when these are forgiven, there is no more need of an offering for sin.

not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.

Call to remembrance the days that are passed in the which, after ye had received light, ye endured a great fight in adversities,

but you will need endurance if you are to carry out God's will and receive the blessing he has promised.

But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true.

By faith we understand the ages to have been prepared by the word of God. For the things that are seen do not come to be from that which is visible.

now without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he ever rewards those who are seeking.

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

Therefore indeed they were born of one, and those things of one having died, as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sands which are by the sea, which are innumerable.

In faith died all these, not having received the promises, but from afar having seen them, and having been persuaded, and having saluted them, and having confessed that strangers and sojourners they are upon the earth,

For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.

but now they are longing for a better homeland, that is, a heavenly. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; and he has prepared a city for them.

For he counted 'the reproaches that are heaped upon the Christ' of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, looking forward, as he did, to the reward awaiting him.

Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

And you have not kept in mind the word which says to you as to sons, My son, do not make little of the Lord's punishment, and do not give up hope when you are judged by him;

It is for discipline that you are enduring these sufferings. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Now for the time being no discipline seems to be pleasant; it is painful; later on, however, to those who are trained by it, it yields the fruit of peace which grows from upright character.

For this cause let the hands which are hanging down be lifted up, and let the feeble knees be made strong,

And keep your feet in straight paths, so that limbs that are lame may not be dislocated but instead be cured.

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],

For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,

to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

And this word , Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.

Wherefore since we are receiving a kingdom which is unshakable, let us give thanks, and so offer acceptable worship to God, with holy awe and fear,

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are illtreated, as being yourselves also in the body.

Marriage must be held in honor by all, and the marriage relations kept sacred. Persons who are sexually vicious and immoral God will punish.

The Way of life is to be without love of money, being content with the things that are present, for he has said, I will, no, not leave thee, and also, I will, no, not forsake thee.

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say,

“The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”

Be mindful of them who are guiding you, who, indeed, have spoken unto you, the word of God: the outgoing of whose behaviour, reviewing, be imitating, their faith.

With teachings, manifold and strange, be not carried aside; for it is, noble, that, with gratitude, should, the heart, be getting confirmed, - not with matters of food, in which, they who are walking, have not been profited.

We have an altar from which those priests who are servants in the Tent may not take food.

For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned without the camp.

for we have no permanent city here, but we are searching for that city which is to be ours.

Let our sacrifice then, which we are to offer to God by Jesus Christ, be that of incessant praises, the offering of our lips, which celebrate his name:

Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.

Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.

Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

Give words of love from me to those who are rulers over you, and to all the saints. Those who are in Italy send you their love.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting.

You must consider it the purest joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials,

Let him make his request in faith, doubting nothing; for he who has doubt in his heart is like the waves of the sea, which are troubled by the driving of the wind.

a man is instigated, and drawn into the snare by his own vicious passions, which once indulg'd, are productive of sin,

all we are given is good, and all our endowments are faultless, descending from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights, who knows no change of rising and setting, who casts no shadow on the earth.

It was God's purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of "firstfruits" of those He created. [Note: "Firstfruits" here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God's creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come].

If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives himself, his religious observances are of no account.

The religion which is holy and free from evil in the eyes of our God and Father is this: to take care of children who have no fathers and of widows who are in trouble, and to keep oneself untouched by the world.

My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our glory.

For if a man comes into your meeting place wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in,

And you are deferential to the man who is wearing grand clothes, and say--"There is a good seat for you here," but to the poor man--"You must stand; or sit down there by my footstool,"

then are ye not partial among yourselves, and become judges from evil thoughts?

Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

But you, in contrast, have humiliated the poor man. Are not the rich men those who oppress you and drag you to court?

Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called?

But if you really observe the law of the King in accordance with the Scripture, "You must love your neighbor as you do yourself," you are doing right;

but if you show partiality, you are committing sin, because you are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

For He who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not commit murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but you do commit murder, you are just the same a lawbreaker.

So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.

and one of you says to him, "Blessings on you, keep warm, eat until you have aplenty," without giving him the things that are needed for the body, what good does it do?

Some one, indeed, may say--"You are a man of faith, and I am a man of action." "Then show me your faith," I reply, "apart from any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions."

You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits also believe this, and shudder."

But, O senseless man, are you willing to learn that faith without good deeds is worthless?

Many of you, my brothers, should avoid becoming teachers, because you know that we teachers are going to be judged with stricter judgment than other people.

For, oft, are we stumbling, one and all: If anyone, in word, doth not stumble, the same, is a mature man, able to curb even the whole body.

you see how manageable horses are made by the application of a bit, which makes them take what motion we please.

Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.

so the tongue is but a small part of the body, yet how grand are its pretensions. a spark of fire! what quantities of timber will it blow into a flame?

For while every kind of beast and bird, and of reptiles and sea-creatures are tamable, and actually have been tamed by mankind,

Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

In a fountain, are fresh water and bitter sent forth from the same opening?

Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him show by his noble living that his good deeds are done in humility, which wisdom prompts.

But if you are cherishing bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on that ??and be false to the truth.

For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.

The harvest of uprightness is grown from the seed of peace by those who are peacemakers.

From where are wars and fightings among you? Is it not from here: from your pleasures warring in your body-parts?

You continually crave and do not obtain; you are killing and coveting and cannot acquire; you are fighting and at war. You do not have, because you do not ask.

You continue to ask and do not receive, because you are asking with a wrong purpose, in order to spend it upon your pleasures.

O you who are false to God, do you not see that the friends of this world are not God's friends? Every man desiring to be a friend of this world makes himself a hater of God.

But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”

Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

Speak not against each other, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against law and judges law. But if thou judge law, thou are not a doer of law, but a judge.

There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy, but thou, who are thou who judge the other man?

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a city and stay a year, go into business and make money,"

whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

But the right thing to say would be, If it is the Lord's pleasure and if we are still living, we will do this and that.

But now you are glorying in these insolent boastings of yours; all such glorying is evil.

Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you.

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. Ye have laid up your treasure in the last days.

See, the wages that you have kept back from the laborers who reaped your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.