Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

who is faithful to the one who appointed him, as Moses was also in God's house.

For he has come to deserve greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves greater honor than the house itself!

Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken.

But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. We are of his house, if in fact we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope we take pride in.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks!

"Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness.

"As I swore in my anger, 'They will never enter my rest!'"

But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called "Today," that none of you may become hardened by sin's deception.

As it says, "Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith.

For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my anger, 'They will never enter my rest!'" And yet God's works were accomplished from the foundation of the world.

So God again ordains a certain day, "Today," speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, "O, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts."

For the one who enters God's rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.

And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.

as also in another place God says, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."

and he was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints.

For people swear by something greater than themselves, and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain,

Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him.

For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well.

For the law appoints as high priests men subject to weakness, but the word of solemn affirmation that came after the law appoints a son made perfect forever.

The place where they serve is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, just as Moses was warned by God as he was about to complete the tabernacle. For he says, "See that you make everything according to the design shown to you on the mountain."

So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties.

The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing.

But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,

And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment,

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.

By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going.

By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land as though it were a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise.

So in fact children were fathered by one man -- and this one as good as dead -- like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand on the seashore.

But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff.

By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king's anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible.

By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up.

And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? "My son, do not scorn the Lord's discipline or give up when he corrects you.

Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.

Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment.

For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp.

I especially ask you to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.