A Call to Maturity 1 UEB So then, let us leave the beginning of the message of Christ and move forward to maturity. Let us not lay again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith in God, BSB BSB: Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
2 UEB nor the foundation of teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. BSB BSB: instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 UEB We will also do this if God permits. BSB BSB: And this we will do, if God permits.
5 UEB and who tasted God's good word and the powers of the age to come, BSB BSB: who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—
6 UEB but who then fell away—it is impossible to restore them again to repentance. This is because they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and publicly shame him. BSB BSB: and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.
7 UEB For the land that drinks in the rain that often comes on it, and that gives birth to the plants useful to those for whom the land was worked—this is the land that receives a blessing from God. BSB BSB: For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.
8 UEB But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and is near to a curse. Its end is in burning. BSB BSB: But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
9 UEB But we are convinced about better things concerning you, beloved ones, things that concern salvation, even though we speak like this. BSB BSB: Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.
10 UEB For God is not so unjust that he would forget your work and the love that you have shown for his name, because you served the believers and still serve them. BSB BSB: For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
11 UEB We greatly desire that each of you may show the same diligence to the end, in order to make your hope certain. BSB BSB: We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
12 UEB This is so that you will not become lazy, but imitators of those who by faith and patience inherit the promises. BSB BSB: Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
God’s Unchangeable Promise 13 UEB For when God made his promise to Abraham, he swore by himself, since he could not swear by anyone greater. BSB BSB: When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
14 UEB He said, "I will certainly bless you, and I will greatly increase you." BSB BSB: saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”
15 UEB In this way, Abraham obtained what was promised after he had patiently waited. BSB BSB: And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.
16 UEB For people swear by someone greater than themselves. At the end of each of their disputes, an oath serves as confirmation. BSB BSB: Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
17 UEB When God decided to show more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable quality of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath. BSB BSB: So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
18 UEB He did this so that by two unchangeable things—with which it is impossible for God to lie—we, who have fled for refuge, will have a strong encouragement to hold firmly to the hope set before us. BSB BSB: Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.
19 UEB We have this as a secure and reliable anchor for the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, BSB BSB: We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 UEB where Jesus, who went before us, has entered into that place on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. BSB BSB: where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.