It is agreed by the general Tenor of Antiquity, that this Epistle was written by St. Paul: whose other Epistles were sent to the Gentile Converts; This only to the Hebrews. But this improper Inscription was added by some later Hand. It was sent to the Jewish Hellenist Christians, dispersed through various Countries. St. Paul's Method and Style are easily observed

therein. He places, as usual, the Proposition and Division before the Treatise; (c. ii. 17.) He subjoins the Exhortatory to the Doctrinal Part; quotes the same Scriptures, (c. ii. 8. c. x. 30, 38. c. i. 6.) and uses the same Expressions as elsewhere. But why does he not prefix his Name, which it is plain, from c. iii. 19. was dear to them to whom he wrote? Because he prefixes no Inscription, in which, if at all, the name would have been mentioned. The Ardor of his Spirit carries him directly upon his Subject, (just like St. John in his first Epistle) and throws back his usual Salutation and Thanksgiving to the Conclusion.

This Epistle of St. Paul, and both those of St. Peter (one may add, That of St. James and of St. Jude also) were written both to the same Persons, dispersed through Pontus, Galatia, and other Countries, and nearly at the same time. St. Paul and Peter suffered at Rome, three years before the Destruction of Jerusalem. Therefore this Epistle, likewise, was written, while the Temple was standing. St. Peter wrote a little before his Martyrdom, and refers to the Epistles of St. Paul, this in particular.

The scope of it is, To confirm their Faith in Christ. And this he does, by demonstrating his Glory. All the Parts of it are full of the most earnest and pointed Admonitions and Exhortations. And they go on, in one tenor, the Particle Therefore every where connecting the Doctrine and the Use. The Sum is, The Glory of Christ appears,

I.						From comparing him with the Prophets and Angels,	C. i.	1—14.
						Therefore we ought to give heed to him:	C. ii.	1—4.
II.						From his Passion and Consummation.
						Here we may observe
	1.					The Proposition and Sum:		5—9.
	2.					The Treatise itself: We have a perfect Author of Salvation, who first suffered for our sake, that he might be, 1. a merciful, and 2. a faithful, 3. High priest,		10—18.
						These three are particularly explained, his Passion and Consummation being continually interwoven.
		1.				He has the Virtues of an High-priest.
			a.			He is faithful: Therefore, Be ye not unfaithful:	C. iii.	1.—
							C. iv.	13.17Q0370
			b.			He is merciful: Therefore, come to him with Confidence		14.—17Q0371
							C. v.	3.
		2.				He is called of God an High-priest. Here
			a.			The Sum is proposed;		4—10.
						with a summary Exhortation:		11.—
							C. vi.	20.
			b.			The point is copiously,
				I.		Explained. We have a great High-priest,
					1.	Such as is described in the cxth Psalm: after the Order of Melchisedech;	C. vii.	1—19.
						established by an Oath,		20—22.
						for ever,		23—28.
					2.	Therefore peculiarly excellent:
						Heavenly:	C. viii.	1—6.
						Of the New Covenant,		7—13.
						By whom we have an Entrance into the Sanctuary:	C. ix.—	1.—
							C. x—	18.
				II.		Applied. Therefore,
					1.	Believe, hope, love:		19—25.
						These three are farther inculcated:
			a.			Faith, with Patience,		26—39.
						which after the Example of the Antients,	C. xi—	1.—
							C. xii—	1.
						and of Christ himself,		2, 3.
						is to be exercised,		4—11.
						chearfully, peaceably, holily:		12—17.
			b.			Hope,		18—29.
			c.			Love,	C. xiii.	1—6.
					2.	In order to grow in these Graces, make use of
						The Remembrance of your former,		7—16.
						The Vigilance of your present Pastors,		17—19.
						To this Period, and to the whole Epistle answers,
						The Prayer, The Doxology, and The mild Conclusion.		20—25.

There are many Comparisons in this Epistle, which may be nearly reduced to Two Heads, 1. The Prophets, the Angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron are great; but Jesus Christ is infinitely greater: 2. The antient Believers enjoyed high Privileges: But Christian Believers enjoy far higher. To illustrate this, Examples both of Happiness and Misery are every where interspersed: so that in this Epistle, there is a kind of Recapitulation of the whole Old Testament. In this also Judaism is abrogated and Christianity carried to its Height. HEBREWS. Ch. I.

1   God who at sundry times ^note and in divers manners spake of old to the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son; 2   Whom he hath appointed heir of all things, ^note by whom he also made the worlds: 3   Who ^note being the brightness of his glory, and

the express image of his person, and sustaining all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high, 4   Being made so much higher than the angels, as he hath by inheritance a more excellent name than they. ^note 5   For to which of the angels did he ever say, ^note Thou art my Son; ^note this day have I begotten thee? And again, ^note I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6   And again, ^{note note} When he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7   And of the angels he saith, ^note Who maketh his angels ^note spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8   But unto the Son,

^note Thy throne, O God, ^note is for ever and ever; the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of righteousness: 9   Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; ^note therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10   And, ^note Thou, ^note Lord, hast in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands. 11   They shall perish, but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12   And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: ^note but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 13   But to which of the angels did he ever say, ^note Sit at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14   Are they not all ^note ministring spirits, sent forth to serve for them who shall inherit salvation? ^note

1   Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2   For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence: ^note 3   How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation, ^note which began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that had heard him? 4   God also bearing them witness by signs, and wonders, ^note and various miracles,

and distributions of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.

5   For he hath not subjected to the angels the world to come, whereof we speak. ^note 6   But one in a certain place testified, saying, ^note What is man, ^note that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7   Thou madest him ^note a little lower than the angels, thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands. 8   Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. Now ^note in putting all things in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him: but now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9   But we see Jesus crowned with glory and honour, for the suffering of death, who was made a little lower than the angels, that by the grace of God he might taste death for every man. ^note 10   For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in

bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the captain of their salvation through sufferings. ^note 11   For ^note both he that sanctifieth, and all they that are sanctified, are of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, ^note I will declare thy name to my brethren; ^{note note} 12   in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13   And again, ^{note note} I will put my trust in him: And again, Behold I and the children whom God hath given me. 14   Since then the children partake of flesh and blood, ^note he also himself in like manner took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil: 15   And deliver them, as many as through fear of death, were all their life-time ^note

subject to bondage. 16   For verily he taketh not hold of angels, ^note but he taketh hold of the seed of Abraham. 17   Wherefore it behoved him ^note to be made in all things like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest, in things pertaining to God, to expiate the sins of the people. 18   For in that he hath suffered, being tempted himself, he is able to succour them that are tempted. ^note

1   Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, ^note consider the apostle and high-priest of our profession, 2   Jesus, Faithful to him that appointed him, as was also ^note Moses in all his house. ^note 3   For this person was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he that hath builded it hath more honour than the house. ^note 4   Now ^note every house is built by some one: but he that built all things is God. 5   And Moses verily ^note was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony

of the things, which were to be afterwards spoken: 6   But Christ ^note as a Son over his own house, whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the glorying of hope, firm to the end. 7   Wherefore ^note (as the Holy Ghost saith) ^note To day, 8   if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation ^{note note}, in the day of temptation in the wilderness, 9   Where your fathers ^note tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10   Therefore ^note I was grieved with that generation and said, They always err in their hearts, and they have not know17Q0373 my ways. 11   So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. 12   Take heed, brethren, left there be in any of you ^note an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God: 13   But ^note exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin: 14   (For we are made partakers of ^note Christ, if 15   we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end) While it is said; To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16   For who, when they had heard, provoked God? 17   Were they not all that came out of Egypt ^note by Moses? And with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them who had sinned?

18   Whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he, that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19   So we see, they could not enter in, ^note because of unbelief.

1   Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entring into his rest, any of us should altogether come short of it. 2   For unto us hath the gospel been preached as well as unto them; but the word heard did not profit them, not being mixt with faith in those that heard it. ^note 3   For we ^note that have believed, do enter into the rest; as he said, I have sworn in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest, though the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4   For ^note he saith thus in a certain place, of the seventh day ^note, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works: And in this ^note again, They shall not enter into my rest. 5    6   Seeing then it remaineth that some enter into it, and they to whom the gospel was preached before, 7   entered not in because of unbelief, He again, after so long a time, ^note fixeth a certain day, saying by David, To-day; as it was said before, To day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8   For if Joshua had given them the rest, ^note he would not have afterward spoken of another day. 9   There remaineth therefore ^note a rest for the people of God. 10   For he that hath entered into his rest, hath himself also ceased from his works, as God did from his. ^note 11   Let us labour, therefore, to enter into that rest, lest any one should fall, ^note after the same example of unbelief. 12   For

the word of God ^note is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder both of the soul and spirit, both of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13   Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; ^note but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14   Having therefore a great high priest, ^note that is passed thro' the heavens, Jesus the son of God, 15   let us hold fast our profession, For we have not an high-priest who cannot sympathize with our infirmities, but who was in all points tempted like as we are: yet without sin. ^note 16   Let us therefore come boldly ^note to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1   For every high priest being taken from among men, ^note is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins, 2   Who can have compassion ^note on the ignorant and the wandering, seeing he himself also is compassed with infirmity, 3   And because hereof it behoveth him, as for the people, so also for himself to offer for sins. 4   And no one taketh this

honour to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. ^note 5   So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest, ^note but he that said to him ^note, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. 6   As he saith also in another place, ^note Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedeck: 7   Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and being heard from his fears;17Q0375 Tho' he was a son, ^{note note} 8   yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered, And being perfected, ^note 9   became the author of eternal salvation to

all that obey him, 10   Called ^note of God an high priest, after the order of Melchisedek.

11   Concerning whom ^note we have many things to say, and hard to be explained, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. 12   For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again, which are the first principles of ^note the oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat. 13   For every one that useth milk ^note is unexperienced in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14   But strong meat ^note belongeth to them of full age, to them who have their senses exercised by habit to discern both good and evil.

1   Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, ^note let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, 2   and of faith in God, Of the doctrine of baptisms and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3   And this we will do, ^note if God permit. 4   For it is impossible for those who were once inlightened, ^note and have tasted the heavenly gift, and been made

partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5   And have tasted the good word of God, ^note and the powers of the world to come, 6   And have fallen away, ^note to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7   For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God. 8   But that which beareth thorns and briars ^note is rejected and nigh unto a curse, whose end is to be burned. 9   But, beloved, ^note we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10   For ^note God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11   But we desire that every one of you would shew unto the end ^note the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope, 12   That ye be not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and long suffering inherited the promises. ^note 13   For ^note when God made the promise to Abraham, because he could swear

by no greater, 14   he swore by himself, Saying, ^note Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15   And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16   For men ^note verily swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all contradiction. 17   Wherefore God being willing to shew more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his counsel, interposed by an oath: ^note 18   That by two unchangeable things, ^note in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled to lay hold on the hope set before us: 19   Which hope ^note we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil, 20   Whither Jesus our fore-runner is entered for us, made an high-priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek. ^note

1   For this Melchisedek king of Salem, priest of the most high God, ^note who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, ^note 2   To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all the spoils; being by interpretation, first ^note king of righteousness, and then king of Salem also, which is king of peace; 3   Without father, without mother,

without pedigree, ^note having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but being made like the son of God, remaineth a priest continually. 4   Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils, ^note 5   And verily they of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment (according to the law) to take tithes of the people, that is, of their brethren, ^note tho' they come out of the loins of Abraham. 6   But he whose pedigree is not from them, ^note took tythes of Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises: 7   And without all contradiction, the less is blessed ^note of the greater. 8   And here men that die receive tithes: but there, he of whom it is witnessed, ^note that he liveth. 9   And even Levi, ^note who receiveth tithes, paid tithes (so to speak) thro' Abraham. 10   For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedek met him. 11   If then perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law) what farther need was there that another priest should rise, after the order of Melchisedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? ^note 12   For ^note the priesthood being changed, there is also necessarily a change of the law. 13   For he of whom these things are spoken, pertaineth

to another tribe, of which no man attended on the altar. ^note 14   For it is evident, that our Lord sprang out of Judah, ^note of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning the priesthood. 15   And it is still far more evident, ^note because another priest is raised up, after the likeness of Melchidek, Who was made ^note not after the law of a carnal commandment, 16   but after the power of an endless life. 17   For it is testified, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedek. 18   For verily there is ^note a disannulling of the preceding commandment, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19   For the law ^note made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by which we draw nigh to God. 20   And ^note in as much as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath, 21   but this with an oath, by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, ^note Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedek:) 22   Of so much better a covenant ^note was Jesus made a surety. 23   And they truly were many priests, ^note because they were hindered by death from continuing. 24   But this, because he continueth for ever, ^note hath a priesthood that passeth not away. 25   Wherefore he is able also, to save them to the uttermost ^note

who come to God thro' him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26   For such an high priest became us, ^note holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens: 27   Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up ^note sacrifices, first for his own sins, then for those of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself. 28   For the law maketh men high priests that have infirmity; ^note but the word of the oath which was since the law, maketh the son, who is consecrated for evermore.

1   The sum of what hath been spoken is, We have such an high priest, ^note who is set down at the right-hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2   A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord hath fixed ^note and not man. 3   For every high priest is ordained to offer up gifts and sacrifices; whence it was necessary, that this also should have somewhat to offer. 4   For if he were on earth, ^note he would not be a priest, there being priests that offer gifts, according to the law, 5   Who serve ^note after the pattern and shadow of

heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God, when he was about to make the tabernacle; for, saith he, ^note See thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewed thee on the mount. 6   And now he hath obtained a more excellent ministry, ^note by how much better a covenant he is a mediator of, which is established upon better promises. 7   For if the first had been faultless, ^note no place would have been sought for a second. 8   For finding fault with them ^note he saith, ^note Behold the days come, saith the Lord, when I will finish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9   Not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand, ^note to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10   For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, ^note saith the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. 11   And they ^note shall not teach every one his neighbour, and every one his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest. 12   For I will ^note be merciful to their unrighteousness and

their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13   In saying, a new covenant, he hath antiquated the first; ^note now that which is antiquated and decayed, is ready to vanish away.

1   And verily the first covenant also had ordinances of ^note worship and a worldly sanctuary. 2   For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, ^note in which was the candlestick, and the table, and the shew-bread; which is called The holy place. 3   And after the second veil, the tabernacle, which is called The holy of holies, 4   Having the golden censer, ^note and the ark of the covenant, overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot having the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant: 5   And over it were the Cherubim ^note of glory, shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6   Now these things being thus prepared, the priests go always ^note into the first tabernacle, accomplishing their services. 7   But into the second, only the high-priest once a year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself and the errors ^note of the people: 8   The Holy Ghost evidently shewing ^note this, that the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest, while the first tabernacle was still subsisting, 9   Which ^note was a figure for the

time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, which could not perfect the worshiper as to his conscience, 10   Only with meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed till the time of reformation. ^note 11   But Christ being come, an high-priest of good things to come, ^note through a greater and more perfect tabernacle, 12   not made with hands, that is, not of this building, And not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, ^note having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13   For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ^note ashes of an heifer ^note sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14   How much more shall the blood of Christ, ^note who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? 15   And for this end he is the Mediator of a new covenant, ^note that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16   For where a testament is, there must also necessarily be the death of the testator. ^note

17   For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength while the testator liveth. ^note 18   Whence neither was the first testament consecrated without blood. 19   For when Moses had spoken all the commandment according to the law to all the people, ^note he took the blood of calves ^note and of goats, with water, and scarlet wooll, and hyssop, and the book itself, 20   and sprinkled all the people, Saying, ^note This is the blood of the testament, ^note which God hath enjoined unto you. 21   And in like manner he ^note sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the service. 22   And almost all things are according to the law purified with blood, ^note and withoutshedding of blood there is no remission. 23   It was therefore ^note necessary, that the patterns of things in heaven should be purified by these, but the heavenly things themselves by better sacrifices than these. 24   For Christ did not enter into the holy place made with hands, ^note the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. 25   Nor did he enter, that he might offer himself often (as the high-priest entered into the holy place every year with the blood of others.) 26   For then he must often have suffered since the foundation of the world: ^note but now once at the consummation of the ages hath he

been manifested, to abolish sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27   And as it is appointed for men once to die, and after this the judgment: 28   So Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, ^note will appear the second time, without sin, to them that look for him, unto salvation.

1   For the law having a shadow of good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. ^note 2   Otherwise would they not have ceased to be offered? Because the worshipers, having been once purged, would have had no more consciousness of sins. ^note 3   But in those sacrifices, there is a ^note commemoration of sins every year. 4   For it is impossible, that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. ^note 5   Therefore when he cometh into the world, ^note he saith, ^note Sacrifice and offering thou hast not chosen, but a body hast thou prepared for me. 6   Burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast not delighted in. 7   Then I said, Lo I come (in the volume of the book ^note it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. 8   Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou hast not chosen, neither delighted in, which are offered by the law: 9   Then said he, ^note Lo, I come, to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he

may establish the second: 10   By which will ^note we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11   And every priest standeth ^note daily ministring and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12   But he ^note having offered one sacrifice for sins, 13   for ever sat down at the right hand of God, From thenceforth expecting till his ^note enemies be made his footstool. 14   For by one offering he hath perfected for ever ^note them that are sanctified. 15   And this the Holy Ghost also witnesseth to us, ^note 16   for after he had said before, ^note This is the covenant which I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their hearts, and write them in their minds, 17   And their sins, and their iniquities will I remember no more. 18   Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

19   Having therefore, brethren, free liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, ^note 20   By a new and living way, ^note which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, 21   that is, his flesh, And having an high-priest over the house of God; 22   Let us draw near ^note with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23   Let us hold fast the profession of our faith17Q0378 ^note without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised) And let us consider one another, 24   to provoke one another

to love and to good works: 25   Not forsaking the assembling ourselves ^note together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26   For when we ^note sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27   But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which will devour the adversaries. 28   He that ^note despised the law of Moses died without mercy, under two or three witnesses. 29   Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who ^note hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and counted the blood of the covenant, by which he hath been sanctified, an unholy thing, and done despite to the spirit of grace? 30   For we know him that hath said, ^note Vengeance is mine; I will recompence: and again, The Lord will judge his people. ^note 31   It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands ^note of the living God. 32   But call ye to mind the former days, in which, after ye were inlightened, ^note ye endured so great a conflict of sufferings: 33   Partly being made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; partly being partakers with them who were so used. 34   For ye sympathized with ^note my bonds, and received with joy the spoiling of your goods, knowing that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35   Cast not away therefore ^note your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36   For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. ^note 37   For yet a

little while, and he that cometh ^note will come and will not tarry. ^note 38   Now the just ^note shall live by faith; but if he draw back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. 39   But we are not of them who draw back to perdition, ^note but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

1   Now faith is the subsistence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ^note 2   And by it the elders ^note obtained a good testimony. 3   Through faith we understand that the worlds ^note were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were made of things which do not appear. 4   By faith ^note Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was

righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it, being dead he yet speaketh. 5   By faith Enoch was translated so as not to see death, and was not ^note found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6   But without faith ^note it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7   By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, ^note moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his houshold, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8   By faith Abraham, being called to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, obeyed and went out, not knowing whither he went. 9   By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, ^note as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the joint heirs of the same promise. 10   For he looked for the city which hath foundations, ^note whose builder and maker is God. 11   By faith Sarah also herself ^note received power to conceive seed, even when she was past age, because she accounted him faithful who had promised. 12   Therefore there sprang even from one, and him as it were dead, ^note as the stars of heaven for multitude, and as the sand which is on the sea-shore innumerable. 13   All these ^note died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and embraced them, and confest

that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. 14   For they who speak thus, shew plainly, that they seek their own country. ^note 15   And truly if they had been mindful of ^note that from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to return. 16   But they now desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: ^note therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared a city for them. 17   By faith ^note Abraham, ^note being tried, offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son: 18   Of whom it had been said, ^note In Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19   Accounting that God was able even to raise him from the dead; ^note from whence also he received him in a figure. 20   By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come. 21   By Faith Jacob when dying ^{note note} blessed each of the sons of Joseph and ^note worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22   By faith Joseph, when dying, made mention of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones. ^note 23   By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months, by his parents, because they saw ^note he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24   By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25   Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. 26   Esteeming the reproach of Christ ^note greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for

he looked off unto the recompence of reward. ^note 27   By faith he left Egypt, ^note not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing him that is invisible. 28   By faith ^note he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, ^note lest he that destroyed the first born should touch them. 29   By faith they ^note passed thro' the Red Sea, as by dry land, which the Egyptians trying to do, were drowned. 30   By ^note faith the walls of Jericho, having been compassed seven days, fell down. 31   By faith Rahab ^note the harlot did not perish with them that believed not, having received the spies with peace. 32   And what shall I say more? For the time would fail me, to tell of Gideon, and Barak, and Sampson, and Jephthah, and David, ^note and Samuel, and the prophets: ^note 33   Who by faith ^note subdued kingdoms, ^note wrought righteousness, obtained promises, ^{note note} stopped the mouths of lions, ^note 34   Quenched the violence of fire, ^note escaped the edge of the sword, ^note out of weakness was made strong, ^note became valiant in fight, ^note put to flight armies of the aliens; ^note Women ^note received their dead raised to life again: ^note 35   others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36   And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover

of bonds and imprisonment. ^note 37   They were stoned, were sawn asunder, ^note were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, in goat-skins, destitute, afflicted, tormented: 38   (Of whom the world was not worthy) ^note they wandered in deserts, and mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth. 39   And all these ^note having obtained a good testimony thro' faith, 40   did not receive the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, ^note that they might not be perfected without us.

1   Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud ^note of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which easily besetteth us, and run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking to Jesus, ^note the author and finisher of our faith; 2   who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right-hand of the throne of God. 3   For consider ^note him that endured such contradiction from sinners against himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds. 4   Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, ^note striving against sin. 5   And yet ye ^note have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh to you as to sons, ^note My son, despise not thou the chastning of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. 6   For ^note whom the Lord loveth, he chastneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7   If ye endure chastning, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he, whom his father chastneth not? ^note 8   But if ye are without chastning, of which all ^note are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. 9   Moreover we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we reverenced ^note them: Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10   For they, verily, for a few days ^note chastned us as they thought good: but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. 11   Now all chastning ^note for the present is assuredly not joyous, but grievous; yet afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. 12   Wherefore ^note Lift up the hands ^note that hang down and the feeble knees: 13   And make strait paths ^note for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. 14   Follow peace with all men, ^note and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15   Looking diligently, lest ^note any one fall from the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled: Lest there be any fornicator or profane person, 16   as Esau, who for one

morsel of meat sold his birthright: 17   For ye know that afterward, even when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected: ^note for he found no place for repentance, tho' he sought it diligently with tears.

18   For ^note ye are not come to the mountain that could be touched, and the burning fire, 19   and blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, ^note and the voice of words, which they that heard intreated that the word might not be spoken to them any more. 20   For they could not bear ^note that which was commanded, ^note If even a beast touch the mountain, let it be stoned. 21   And so terrible was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and tremble. ^note 22   But ye ^note are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, 23   and to an innumerable company,17Q0381 To the general assembly

of angels, and to the church ^note of the first born, who are inrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24   And to Jesus the mediator ^note of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh: 25   for if they escaped not who refused ^note him that delivered the oracle on earth, much more shall not we, who turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26   Whose voice then shook the earth: ^note but now he hath promised, saying ^note, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven. 27   And this word, Yet once more, sheweth the removal of the things which are shaken, ^note as being made, that the things which are not shaken may remain. 28   Therefore we receiving ^note a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us hold fast the grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. 29   For our God is a consuming fire. ^note

1   Let brotherly love ^note continue. 2   Forget not to entertain strangers, for hereby ^note some ^note have entertained angels unawares. 3   Remember ^note

them that are in bonds, as being bound with them, and them that suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 4   Marriage is honourable in all men, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. ^note 5   Let your disposition be without covetousness: be content with the things that are present; for he ^note hath said ^note, No, I will not leave thee: verily I will not forsake thee. 6   So that we may boldly say, ^note The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man can do unto me. 7   Remember them ^note that had the rule over you, who spake to you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8    ^note 9   Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to day and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; ^note for it is good, that the heart be stablished with grace, not with meats, in which they that have walked have not been profited. 10   We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle. ^note 11   For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest for ^note sin, are burnt without the camp. 12   Wherefore Jesus also, ^note that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13   Let

us then go forth to him without the camp, ^note bearing his reproach. 14   For we have here ^note no continuing city; but we seek one to come. 15   By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice ^note of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. 16   But to do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17   Obey them that have the rule over you, ^note and submit yourselves; for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with groans: for that is unprofitable for you. 18   Pray for us; for we trust we have a good conscience, desiring to behave ourselves well in all things. 19   And I beseech you to do this the more earnestly, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20   Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, by the blood of the everlasting covenant, ^note 21   Make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight thro' Christ Jesus; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22   I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation; ^note for I have written a letter to you in few words. 23   Know that our brother Timotheus is set at liberty, with whom, if he come ^note soon, I will see you. 24   Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. 25   They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. ^note

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