So that by two immutable events, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, having fled for refuge to seize the hope being openly displayed.

where Jesus, our Forerunner, has entered on our behalf, after being made for all time a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek.

This Melchizedek, king of Salem - which being priest of the most high God, met Abraham, as he returned again from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him:

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, and being made like to the Son of God, doth remain a priest continually.

If then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron?

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

For the Lord [See next verse], about whom these things are being said, belonged to another tribe, from which no one has [ever] been appointed to serve at the Altar.

For it is plain that our Lord ad sprung from the tribe of Judah, though of that tribe Moses said nothing about their being priests.

who was not establish'd by virtue of a temporary law, but with the power of being a perpetual priest.

On the one hand, we have the abolition of a previous regulation as being both inefficient and useless

And since it was not without an oath being taken--

(for those Levites who formerly became priests [received their office] without [its being confirmed by the taking of] an oath, but this One [was designated] with an oath through the One who said to Him,

“The Lord has sworn
And will not change His mind or regret it,
‘You (Christ) are a Priest forever’”).

And they have been many priests, on account of being hindered from continuing by death;

Whereupon he is able also to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, being always alive in order to intercede on their behalf.

For such a high priest was indeed appropriate unto us, holy, free from sin, undefiled, having been separated from the sinners, and being higher than the heavens;

He does not need to offer up [animal] sacrifices every day like those head priests did [Note: The head priest here is represented as being in charge of the daily sacrifices offered by the other priests], first for His own sins and then for the people's sins. For He did this once for all time when He offered up Himself [on the cross].

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak [frail, sinful, dying men], but the word of the oath [of God], which came after [the institution of] the Law, permanently appoints [as priest] a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Now the main point of what is being said is this: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

every high priest being establish'd to offer gifts and sacrifices: it was necessary that he likewise should make a peculiar offering,

If then indeed he were upon earth, he would not even be a priest, there being those who offer the gifts according to the law,

who unto an example and shadow do serve of the heavenly things, as Moses hath been divinely warned, being about to construct the tabernacle, for 'See (saith He) thou mayest make all things according to the pattern that was shewn to thee in the mount;') --

For, being dissatisfied with His people, God says, "'There are days coming,' says the Lord, 'When I will establish with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new Covenant--

now by stiling the second a new alliance, he has antiquated the first. but to be antiquated and obsolete is next to being abolished.

Now these things being thus ordered, into the first tabernacle the priests enter at all times, accomplishing the services;

The Holy Spirit witnessing by this that the way into the holy place had not at that time been made open, while the first Tent was still in being;

This illustration for today indicates that the gifts and sacrifices being offered could not clear the conscience of a worshiper,

being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

For if the blood of goats and oxen, and the dust from the burning of a young cow, being put on the unclean, make the flesh clean:

How much more will the blood of Christ, who, being without sin, made an offering of himself to God through the Holy Spirit, make your hearts clean from dead works to be servants of the living God?

And for this cause it is through him that a new agreement has come into being, so that after the errors under the first agreement had been taken away by his death, the word of God might have effect for those who were marked out for an eternal heritage.

And a will is only of force in the case of a deceased person, being never of any avail so long as he who made it lives.

not that he may often present himself, as the chief priest enters into the sanctuary once a year with the blood of another [being];

And, as it is ordained for men to die but once (death being followed by judgment),

so Christ, after being once sacrificed to bear the sins of many, will appear again, not to deal with sin but for the saving of those who look out for him.

For the law, being only a poor copy of the future good things, and not the true image of those things, is never able to make the people who come to the altar every year with the same offerings completely clean.

Since, would they not indeed have ceased being offered, on account of the worshippers once purged having no longer any conscience of sins?

After saying the words I have just quoted, "Sacrifices and offerings or whole burnt-offerings and sin-offerings Thou hast not desired or taken pleasure in" --all such being offered in obedience to the Law--

For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

So then, my brothers, being able to go into the holy place without fear, because of the blood of Jesus,

But only a great fear of being judged, and of the fire of wrath which will be the destruction of the haters of God.

The person who has disregarded the law of Moses is put to death without being shown mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

But continually recall to mind the days now past, when on being first enlightened you went through a great conflict and many sufferings.

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

For you not only showed sympathy with those who were imprisoned, but you even submitted with joy when your property was taken from you, being well aware that you have in your own selves a more valuable possession and one which will remain.

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and still exist, at the command of God, so that what is seen does not owe its existence to that which is visible.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and went out, not knowing where he was going.

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

By [having] faith, Sarah herself received the ability to have children, even though she was [sterile, being] past the age of child-bearing, since she considered God faithful to His promise. [Note: Some translations consider "Abraham" to be the subject of this highly controversial verse. See Lightfoot, pages 222-225].

And therefore these were fathered from one man, and [he] being as good as dead, as the stars of heaven in number and like the innumerable sand by the shore of the sea.

These people [all] continued to have faith until they died, [even though] they had not obtained [all] the things God had promised, but had [only] seen them and welcomed them from a distance. And they had confessed to being strangers and aliens on earth.

By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten'son ;

By faith Moses, being born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child beautiful; and they did not fear the injunction of the king.

because he preferred being mistreated with God's people to enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short time.

He thought that being insulted for the sake of the Messiah was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid of the wrath of the king; for he endured [steadfastly], as seeing Him who is unseen.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days.

Faith saved Rahab the prostitute from being destroyed with those who disobeyed God, because she had given a friendly welcome to the scouts.

quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

women recovered their children, tho' dead, by their being raised to life again: some expired under torments, refusing to be delivered; that they might obtain a better deliverance at the resurrection.

And others were tested by being laughed at or by blows, and even with chains and prisons:

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of spectators [Note: Christians are pictured here as being in a crowded arena, performing in the games], we should lay aside every [excessive] weight and sin that so easily entangle us, and with perseverance, we should run the race [of life] that lies before us.

for consider again him who endured such gainsaying from the sinners to himself, that ye may not be wearied in your souls -- being faint.

and ye have forgotten the exhortation that doth speak fully with you as with sons, 'My son, be not despising chastening of the Lord, nor be faint, being reproved by Him,

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].

clear the way for your feet, lest that which is lame should be quite out of joint, instead of being redress'd."

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 you know that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: not being able to make Isaac to retract, though he importun'd him with tears.

For ye have not come to the mount being handled, and burned with fire, and to duskiness, and to darkness, and to a violent storm,

and trumpet's sound, and voice of words; which they that heard, excusing themselves, declined the word being addressed to them any more:

For they could not bear, that which was being enjoined, - and, should a beast be touching the mountain, it shall be stoned;

And so dreadful was that being made to appear, Moses said, I am terrified and trembling:)

But this Yet once, signifies the removing of what is shaken, as being made, that what is not shaken may remain.

Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Without covetousness the behaviour, being content with the things present, for He hath said, 'No, I will not leave, no, nor forsake thee,'

so being confident we say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what shall man do unto me?

Stop being carried away by all kinds of unusual teachings, for it is good that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by food laws that have never helped those who follow them.

As the bodies of those animals, whose blood being offered for sin is brought into the holy place by the high-priest, are not eaten, but are burnt without the camp.

Confide in your guides, and be respectful: that they who are vigilant, as being accountable for your souls, may discharge themselves with cheerfulness, and not with anxiety, which would be to your prejudice.

You must find the greatest joy, my brothers, in being involved in various trials,

And let patience have a perfect work, that ye be perfect and entire, being left behind in nothing.

And let him ask in faith, being at variance in nothing. For he being at variance is like the surge of the sea being moved by the wind and put in motion.

being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].

But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God].

and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.

Happy is the man who endures temptation: because, being proved, he will receive a crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him with divine love.

Let no man, being tempted, say, I am tempted of God. For God cannot be tempted by evil things, and himself tempts no one.

and each one is tempted, by his own desires being led away and enticed,

then the desire taking effect produces sin, and sin being finished brings forth death.

You must avoid being misled, my dearly loved brothers.

having counselled, He did beget us with a word of truth, for our being a certain first-fruit of His creatures.

For this reason, putting away all dirty behaviour and the overweight of evil, take into your souls without pride the word which, being planted there, is able to give you salvation.

Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves.