A Call to Maturity 1 UST Therefore, we need to learn more so that we become mature. We should not continue to focus on only the most basic things about the Messiah.{ In other words,} we do not need to learn again about how to stop doing useless things or about how to trust 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 UST { We should not} learn{ again} about different ways to baptize people, about putting our hands on others{ to help them}, about how those who have died will live again, or about how God will finally decide whether people are guilty or innocent. BSB BSB: instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 UST At this time, as long as God wants{ us to do so}, we will indeed{ learn more so that we become mature}. BSB BSB: And this we will do, if God permits.
5 UST They experienced how good are the things God says, and{ they have already begun to experience} the powerful things that God will do when he renews the world. BSB BSB: who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—
6 UST { Think about what would happen} were these people to stop believing the good news.{ In that case,} they cannot repent and believe again.{ That is because what they did} is like selfishly crucifying and humiliating God’ s Son. 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 UST { Here is an example:} God blesses any field where, once rain falls on it, crops grow that people use. 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 UST However, when a field produces plants that are useless, it helps nobody, and God will soon curse it. In the end, someone will set fire to it{ to burn up all the useless plants}. BSB BSB: But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
9 UST Even though I have warned you in this way, fellow believers whom I love, I am sure that you are believing more firmly{ than I have implied}.{ In fact, I am sure that} God has saved you. BSB BSB: Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.
10 UST Indeed, since God always acts justly, he will not overlook how you act and how you love{ others}. You have proved that you do these things to honor God, particularly when you have helped and continue to help God’ s people. 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 UST I greatly desire that you all, until you die, continue to focus diligently on fully trusting{ that God will give to you} what you confidently expect. BSB BSB: We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
12 UST That way, you will not be lazy. Instead, you will do what other believers have done: they have received what God promised them, because they trusted in him and waited patiently. 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 UST When God said that he would do something for Abraham, he guaranteed it himself.{ He did that} because every other person who could guarantee it is less powerful{ than God}. BSB BSB: When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
14 UST { Here is what} he promised{ to Abraham}:“I will definitely bless you, and I will definitely give you many descendants.” BSB BSB: saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”
15 UST Because{ God guaranteed what he promised}, and because Abraham persevered in expecting it, God gave him what he had promised,{ a son}. BSB BSB: And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.
16 UST Now, people have someone who is more powerful than they are guarantee{ what they promise}. In fact, when someone guarantees what he or she promises in this way, it definitively concludes whatever people are arguing about. BSB BSB: Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
17 UST In a similar way, God wanted to demonstrate very clearly to those who would receive what he promised that he would not change what he intended to do. So, he guaranteed what he promised,{ just like humans do}. 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 UST So, God both promised and swore an oath, and he will not lie about or change either of these things.{ He did that} for us, who have trusted in him to save us. In this way, he encourages us to persist in confidently expecting what he is ready to give 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 UST When we confidently expect{ what God will give us}, it is as if an anchor holds us very securely{ so that we do not waver from trusting God}. Further,{ when we confidently expect what God will give us}, it is as if we had gone into the inner part of the{ heavenly} sanctuary, behind the cloth hanging{, and already received it}. BSB BSB: We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 UST { That is the same place} where Jesus went{ to serve God} for us and to open the way for us.{ He went there} after he became a ruling priest who will always{ serve God}, in the same way that Melchizedek was a priest. 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.