5:1Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; 5:2the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 5:3Honor widows who are widows indeed. 5:4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5:5Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. 5:6But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 5:7Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 5:8But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 5:9Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 5:10being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work. 5:11But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 5:12having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 5:13Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 5:14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting. 5:15For already some have turned away after Satan. 5:16If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed. 5:17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. 5:18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 5:19Don’t receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. 5:20Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. 5:21I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. 5:22Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure. 5:23Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 5:24Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. 5:25In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
6:1Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. 6:2Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. 6:3If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 6:4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, 6:5constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 6:7For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 6:8But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 6:9But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 6:10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 6:11But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 6:12Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 6:13I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 6:14that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 6:15which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 6:16who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. 6:17Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 6:18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 6:19laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. 6:20Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge; 6:21which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
2 Timothy
1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, 1:2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 1:3I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day 1:4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; 1:5having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also. 1:6For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 1:7For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 1:8Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, 1:9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 1:10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News. 1:11For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 1:12For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day. 1:13Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1:14That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 1:15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 1:16May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, 1:17but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me 1:18(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.
2:1You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 2:3You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 2:5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. 2:6The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. 2:7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 2:8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News, 2:9in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2:11This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. 2:12If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. 2:13If we are faithless, he remains faithful. For he can’t deny himself.” 2:14Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. 2:15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. 2:16But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, 2:17and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 2:18men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. 2:19However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.” 2:20Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. 2:21If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. 2:22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2:23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 2:24The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, 2:25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 2:26and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.
3:1But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 3:2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3:3without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, 3:4traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 3:5holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also. 3:6For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 3:7always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 3:8Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected. 3:9But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. 3:10But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 3:11persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all. 3:12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 3:13But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 3:14But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 3:15From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. 3:16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 3:17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
4:1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 4:2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching. 4:3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4:4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables. 4:5But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. 4:6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 4:7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 4:8From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing. 4:9Be diligent to come to me soon, 4:10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 4:11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 4:12But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 4:13Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. 4:14Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds, 4:15of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words. 4:16At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 4:17But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 4:18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 4:19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 4:20Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 4:21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. 4:22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Titus
1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 1:2in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began; 1:3but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; 1:4to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. 1:5I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; 1:6if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. 1:7For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; 1:8but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; 1:9holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. 1:10For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 1:11whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake. 1:12One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.” 1:13This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 1:14not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 1:15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 1:16They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
2:1But say the things which fit sound doctrine, 2:2that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance: 2:3and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; 2:4that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed. 2:6Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded; 2:7in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, 2:8and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. 2:9Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; 2:10not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. 2:11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 2:12instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 2:13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 2:14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. 2:15Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.
3:1Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 3:2to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3:3For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 3:4But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 3:5not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 3:6whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 3:7that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 3:8This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; 3:9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 3:10Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning, 3:11knowing that such a one is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. 3:12When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there. 3:13Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them. 3:14Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful. 3:15All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Philemon
1:1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
Hebrews
1:1God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 1:2has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 1:3His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1:4having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 1:5For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father?” and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?” 1:6When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” 1:7Of the angels he says, “Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire.” 1:8But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom. 1:9You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” 1:10And, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands. 1:11They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does. 1:12You will roll them up like a mantle, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years will not fail.” 1:13But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?” 1:14Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
2:1Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2:2For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; 2:3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; 2:4God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? 2:5For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. 2:6But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? 2:7You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. 2:8You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet. 2:9But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. 2:10For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 2:11For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 2:12saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 2:13Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” 2:14Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 2:15and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 2:16For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. 2:17Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 2:18For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
3:1Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; 3:2who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. 3:3For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, because he who built the house has more honor than the house. 3:4For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God. 3:5Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken, 3:6but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end. 3:7Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear his voice, 3:8don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, 3:9where your fathers tested me by proving me, and saw my deeds for forty years. 3:10Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, ‘They always err in their heart, but they didn’t know my ways;’ 3:11as I swore in my wrath, ‘They will not enter into my rest.’” 3:12Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; 3:13but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 3:14For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end: 3:15while it is said, “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.” 3:16For who, when they heard, rebelled? No, didn’t all those who came out of Egypt by Moses? 3:17With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 3:18To whom did he swear that they wouldn’t enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 3:19We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.
4:1Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 4:2For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard. 4:3For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest”; although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4:4For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works”; 4:5and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.” 4:6Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience, 4:7he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” 4:8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 4:9There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 4:10For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 4:11Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. 4:12For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 4:13There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. 4:14Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 4:15For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 4:16Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.
5:1For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 5:2The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 5:3Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 5:4Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. 5:5So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” 5:6As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 5:7He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 5:8though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 5:9Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 5:10named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 5:11About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. 5:12For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. 5:13For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. 5:14But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
6:1Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 6:2of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 6:3This will we do, if God permits. 6:4For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 6:5and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6:6and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. 6:7For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; 6:8but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 6:9But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this. 6:10For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. 6:11We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, 6:12that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises. 6:13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, 6:14saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 6:15Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 6:16For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation. 6:17In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; 6:18that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. 6:19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; 6:20where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.