THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
HEBREWS.
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CHAPTER 1.
OD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets,
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed
and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel
(Gen., 3:15)."
"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and
from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will
shew thee:
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make
thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:
and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Gen., 12:1-3)."
"My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine
house.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark
speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore
then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses
(Num., 12:7, 8)?"
"The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah
and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah,
kings of Judah (Isa., 1:1)."
"The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that
were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
To whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon
king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign (Jer., 1:1, 2)."
"Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month,
in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the
captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened,
and I saw visions of God (Ezek., 1:1)."
"The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel
(Joel, 1:1)."
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom
he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the
Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son,
and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him
(Matt., 11:27)."
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature:
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For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in
earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist
(Col., 1:15-17)."
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, and upholding 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;
"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast
thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father;
and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the
words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or
else believe me for the very works' sake (Jno., 14:8-11)."
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which
believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine unto them (II. Cor., 4:3, 4)."
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature (Col., 1:15)."
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by
inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set
him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come (Eph., 1:20, 21)."
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my
Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a
Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
"Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee (Ps., 2:7)."
"He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock
of my salvation.
Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the
earth (Ps., 89:26, 27)."
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the
world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
"Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and
authorities and powers being made subject unto him (I. Pet., 3:22)."
7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits,
and his ministers a flame of fire.
"Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire
(Ps., 104:4)."
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever
and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy
kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore
God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness
above thy fellows.
"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy
kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy
God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows
(Ps., 45:6, 7)."
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation
of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine 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 fold them up, and they shall be
changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
"Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens
are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax
old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall
be changed:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be
established before thee (Ps., 102:25-28)."
13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my
right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make
thine enemies thy footstool (Ps., 110:1)."
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and
delivereth them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good:
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blessed is the man that trusteth in him (Ps., 34:7, 8)."
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy
ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone (Ps., 91:11, 12)."
"Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his
commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his,
that do his pleasure (Ps., 103:20, 21)."
CHAPTER 2.
HEREFORE 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 of
reward;
"And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto
them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands
of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them
(Deut., 33:2)."
"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands
of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the
holy place (Ps., 68:17)."
"But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he
be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord;
and that soul shall be cut off from among his people (Num., 15:30)."
"Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this
law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen (Deut., 27:26)."
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which
at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us
by them that heard him;
"That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all
Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John
preached;
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power:
who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil; for God was with him (Acts, 10:37, 38)."
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and
wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit,
according to his own will?
"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God;
so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully
preached the gospel of Christ (Rom., 15:19)."
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world
to come, whereof we speak.
6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man,
that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou
visitest him?
7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou
crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the
works of thy hands:
"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that
thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned
him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast
put all things under his feet (Ps., 8:4-6)."
8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in
that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that
is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put
under him.
"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death
(I. Cor., 15:25, 26)."
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by
the grace of God should taste death for every man.
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil., 2:7, 8)."
"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for
the remission of sins (Matt., 26:28)."
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by
whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make
the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
"And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out
devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I
shall be perfected (Luke, 13:32)."
"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that
the prophets have spoken:
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his
glory (Luke, 24:25, 26)?"
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11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified
are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them
brethren,
"While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his
brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand
without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and
who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold
my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the
same is my brother, and sister, and mother (Matt., 12:46-50)."
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the
midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I
and the children which God hath given me.
"Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for
signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth
in mount Zion (Isa., 8:18)."
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through
death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the
devil;
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace
and truth (Jno., 1:14)."
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy
victory (I. Cor., 15:55)?"
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage.
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye
have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father
(Rom., 8:15)."
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;
but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And
to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ
(Gal., 3:16)."
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto
his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high
priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for
the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is
able to succour them that are tempted.
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted
of the devil (Matt., 4:1)."
CHAPTER 3.
HEREFORE, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this?
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son of God, which should come into the world (Jno., 11:25-27)."
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses
was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses,
inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than
the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built
all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a
servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken
after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we,
if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm
unto the end.
"And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying,
Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up
out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord:
Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the
glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest
upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both
(Zech., 6:12, 13)."
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To day if ye will hear
his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me,
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proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They
do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in
the day of temptation in the wilderness:
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said,
It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not
known my ways:
Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest
(Ps., 95:7-11)."
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But 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 Christ, if we hold the
beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold
fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end
(Heb., 3:6)."
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden
not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all
that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with
them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
"Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which
I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten
times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers,
neither shall any of them that provoked me see it (Num., 14:22, 23)."
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his
rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
CHAPTER 4.
ET us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering
into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:
but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God (Rom., 10:17)."
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As
I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although
the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
"Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest
(Ps., 95:11)."
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this
wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it
he had rested from all his work which God created and made
(Gen., 2:3)."
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my
rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein,
and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of
unbelief:
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day,
after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his
voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward
have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased
from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any
man fall after the same example of unbelief.
"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were
overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come
(I. Cor., 10:5, 6, 11)."
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12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and
sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder
of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
"And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his
hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath
he hid me (Isa., 49:2)."
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a
hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces (Jer., 23:29)?"
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ (II. Cor., 10:4, 5)."
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God (Eph., 6:17)."
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living
soul (Gen., 2:7)."
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto
the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return (Gen., 3:19)."
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit
shall return unto God who gave it (Ecc., 12:7)."
"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the
soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die
(Ezek., 18:4)."
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his
sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him
with whom we have to do.
"The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of
the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works
(Ps., 33:13-15)."
"Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in
the light of thy countenance (Ps., 90:8)."
"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy
presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in
hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the
uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be
light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the
day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee
(Ps., 139:7-12)."
"Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering
(Job, 26:6)."
"For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his
goings (Job, 34:21)."
"Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then
the hearts of the children of men
(Prov., 15:11)?"
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as
we are, yet without sin.
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted
with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was
despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did
esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted (Isa., 53:3, 4)."
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
CHAPTER 5.
OR every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things
pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices
for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are
out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with
infirmity.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for
himself, to offer for sins.
"And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin
offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself,
and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an
atonement for them; as the Lord commanded (Lev., 9:7)."
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is
called of God, as was Aaron.
"And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from
among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the
priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and
Ithamar, Aaron's sons (Ex., 28:1)."
5 So also Christ glorified not himself
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to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son,
to day have I begotten thee.
"Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee (Ps., 2:7)."
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a
priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
"The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for
ever after the order of Melchizedek (Ps., 110:4)."
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able
to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed,
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matt., 26:39)."
"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may
glorify thee (Jno., 17:1)."
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far
from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night
season, and am not silent (Ps., 22:1, 2)."
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli,
Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me?
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost
(Matt., 27:46, 50)."
"And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to
be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto
death: tarry ye here, and watch with me (Matt., 26:27, 38)."
"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from
this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour (Jno., 12:27)."
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things
which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him;
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom
are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the
captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings (Heb., 2:10)."
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive
that God is no respecter of persons:
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is
accepted with him (Acts, 10:34, 35)."
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered,
seeing ye are dull of hearing.
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now
(Jno., 16:12)."
"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull
of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they
should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and
I should heal them (Matt., 13:15)."
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need
that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat.
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as
unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not
able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able (I. Cor., 3:1, 2)."
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word
of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,
even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.
"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged
of no man (I. Cor., 2:15)."
CHAPTER 6.
HEREFORE leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on
unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of faith toward God,
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but
I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus (Phil., 3:12-14)."
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from
dead works to serve the living God (Heb., 9:14)?"
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"Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph., 2:9)."
"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto
the righteousness of God.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth (Rom., 10:3, 4)."
"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were
held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the
oldness of the letter.
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had
not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law
had said, Thou shalt not covet (Rom., 7:6, 7)."
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and
of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
"Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and
carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of
reformation (Heb., 9:10)."
"And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the
fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is
upon the altar (Lev., 1:8)."
"For since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive
(I. Cor., 15:21, 22)."
"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,
Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a
convenient season, I will call for thee (Acts, 24:25)."
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of
the Holy Spirit,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the
world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;
seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put
him to an open shame.
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of
the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (Heb., 10:26)."
"There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death
(I. Jno., 5:16, 17)."
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon
it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed,
receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected,
and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is
withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and
they are burned (Jno., 15:6)."
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and
things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10 For 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.
"Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense
tribulation to them that trouble you (II. Thess., 1:6)."
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same
diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through
faith and patience inherit the promises.
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord
(Rom., 12:11)."
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear
by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I
will multiply thee.
"And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second
time,
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast
done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply
thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is
upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because
thou hast obeyed my voice (Gen., 22:15-18)."
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the
promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for
confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs
of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an
oath:
"By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange
country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with
him of the same promise (Heb., 11:9)."
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18 That by two immutable things, in which it was
impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have
fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance
(Rom., 11:29)."
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure
and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus,
made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession
(Heb., 4:14)."
CHAPTER 7.
OR this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who
met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he
was the priest of the most high God.
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high
God, possessor of heaven and earth:
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies
into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all (Gen., 14:18-20)."
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of
Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having
neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto
the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the
patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the
office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of
the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren,
though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
"And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel
for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the
service of the tabernacle of the congregation (Num., 18:21)."
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes
of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
"And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house
with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy
sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood
(Num., 18:1)."
"And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of
God, as was Aaron.
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he
that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedec (Heb., 5:4-6)."
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the
better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed
tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec
met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood,
(for under it the people received the law,) what further need
was there that another priest should rise after the order of
Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
"If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood
and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke,
being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou
arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall
choose;
And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge
that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the
sentence of judgment:
And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place
which the Lord shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to
do according to all that they inform thee:
According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and
according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do:
thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee,
to the right hand, nor to the left.
And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the
priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto
the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil
from Israel.
And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously
(Deut., 17:8-13)."
12 For the priesthood being changed,
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there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
"Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the
first, that he may establish the second (Heb., 10:9)."
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another
tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of
which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between
his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of
the people be (Gen., 49:10)."
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the
similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but
after the power of an endless life.
"For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word
of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is
consecrated for evermore (Heb., 7:28)."
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the
order of Melchisedec.
"The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for
ever after the order of Melchizedek (Ps., 110:4)."
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going
before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
"For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more
doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by
reason of the glory that excelleth.
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that
which remaineth is glorious (II. Cor., 3:9-11)."
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a
better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come
by the law, then Christ is dead in vain (Gal., 2:21)."
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with
an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not
repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec:)
"And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was
upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his
garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and
sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons'
garments with him (Lev., 8:30)."
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit
giveth life (II. Cor., 3:6)."
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not
suffered to continue by reason of death:
"And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar
his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and
Eleazar came down from the mount.
And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for
Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel
(Num., 20:28, 29)."
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an
unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession
for them.
"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of
the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to
the will of God (Rom., 8:27)."
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up
sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for
this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity;
but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the
Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb., 4:14-16)."
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CHAPTER 8.
OW of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have
such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in the heavens;
"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set
him at his own right hand in the heavenly places
(Eph., 1:20)."
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle,
which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and
sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have
somewhat also to offer.
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in
things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and
sacrifices for sins:
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of
the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity
(Heb., 5:1, 2)."
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing
that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as
Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the
tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things
according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
"Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of
Christ (Col., 2:17)."
"And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was
shewed thee in the mount (Ex., 25:40)."
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how
much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was
established upon better promises.
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit
giveth life (II. Cor., 3:6)."
"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we
faint not (II. Cor., 4:1)."
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God (II. Cor., 7:1)."
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should
no place have been sought for the second.
"If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under
it the people received the law,) what further need was there
that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not
be called after the order of Aaron (Heb., 7:11)?"
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come,
saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers
in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of
Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them
not, saith the Lord.
"And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the
mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell
the children of Israel;
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you
on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,
then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all
the earth is mine:
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These
are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of
Israel.
And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before
their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.
And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath
spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the
Lord (Ex., 19:3-8)."
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws
into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them
a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every
man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me,
from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their
sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
"For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their
sins (Rom., 11:27)."
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day
that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of
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Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto
them, saith the Lord:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house
of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and
they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the
least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will
forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more
(Jer., 31:31-34)."
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first
old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish
away.
"Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one
from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem
which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all
(Gal., 4:24-26)."
CHAPTER 9.
HEN verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine
service, and a worldly sanctuary.
"Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one
from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar
(Gal., 4:24)."
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was
the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the
sanctuary.
"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them
(Ex., 25:8)."
"And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set
up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his
pillars.
And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering
of the tent above upon it; as the Lord commanded Moses
(Ex., 40:18, 19)."
"And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle
(Ex., 40:28)."
"And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of
the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
And he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord; as the Lord had
commanded Moses.
And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over
against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
And he lighted the lamps before the Lord; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the
vail:
And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the Lord commanded Moses
(Ex., 40:22-27)."
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the
Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant
overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that
had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of
which we cannot now speak particularly.
"And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on
the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the
covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the Lord commanded
Moses (Ex., 40:20, 21)."
"And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna
therein, and lay it up before the Lord, to be kept for your
generations.
As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony,
to be kept (Ex., 16:33, 34)."
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the
testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt
quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not
(Num., 17:10)."
"And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee
(Ex., 25:16)."
"And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the
two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the
mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he
talked with him (Ex., 34:29)."
"And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words
of this law in a book, until they were finished,
That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of
the Lord, saying,
Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the
covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness
against thee (Deut., 31:24-26)."
"And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten
work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other
end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the
two ends thereof.
And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high,
covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall
look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the
cherubims be.
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And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark
thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from
above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are
upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give
thee in commandment unto the children of Israel (Ex., 25:18-22)."
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went
always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of
God.
"And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house
with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy
sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood
(Num., 18:1)."
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every
year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for
the errors of the people:
"And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year
with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year
shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it
is most holy unto the Lord (Ex., 30:10)."
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he
come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before
the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I
will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement
for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did
as the Lord commanded Moses (Lev., 16:2, 34)."
"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice,
first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did
once, when he offered up himself (Heb., 7:26, 27)."
8 The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest
of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle
was yet standing:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me (Jno., 14:6)."
"And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the
bottom (Mark, 15:37, 38)."
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were
offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that
did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if
there had been a law given which could have given life, verily
righteousness should have been by the law (Gal., 3:21)."
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings,
and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of
reformation.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts
which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth
(Lev., 11:2)."
"Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh
in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest
shall be unclean until the even (Num., 19:7)."
"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of
commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of
twain one new man, so making peace (Eph., 2:15)."
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which
was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his
cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of
them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of
an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ
(Col., 2:14-17)."
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come,
by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is
to say, not of this building;
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus
(Heb., 3:1)."
"We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the
throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, and not man (Heb., 8:1, 2)."
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own
blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us.
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of
God, which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts, 20:28)."
"Who hath delivered us from the power of
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darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear
Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins (Col., 1:13, 14)."
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an
heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh:
"And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it
with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat
shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the
people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as
he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy
seat, and before the mercy seat (Lev., 16:14, 15)."
"And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the
heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and
it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a
water of separation: it is a purification for sin
(Num., 19:9)."
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation
received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot (I. Pet., 1:18, 19)."
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin (I. Jno., 1:7)."
"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope
did; by the which we draw nigh unto God (Heb., 7:19)."
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament,
that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions
that were under the first testament, they which are called might
receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit
giveth life (II. Cor., 3:6)."
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also
he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon
better promises (Heb., 8:6)."
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity
be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise
it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time
(I. Tim., 2:5, 6)."
"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of
transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;
and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one
(Gal., 3:19, 20)."
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated
without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people
according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats,
with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the
book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath
enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and
all the vessels of the ministry.
"And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and
half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the
people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be
obedient.
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and
said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with
you concerning all these words (Ex., 24:6-8)."
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and
without shedding of blood is no remission.
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it
to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it
is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul
(Lev., 17:1)."
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things
in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these.
"For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices:
wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to
offer.
For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there
are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Who serve unto the example and shadow
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of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to
make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all
things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount
(Heb., 8:3-5)."
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven
itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to
say, not of this building (Heb., 9:11)."
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high
priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of
others;
"For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he
liveth unto God (Rom., 6:10)."
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of
the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared
to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
"Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God
(Jno., 1:35, 36)!"
"Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements
of the world:
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made
of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons (Gal., 4:3-5)."
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgment:
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (II. Cor., 5:10)."
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and
unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation.
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works
(Titus, 2:13, 14)."
CHAPTER 10.
OR the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the
very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they
offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
"Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of
Christ (Col., 2:17)."
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because
that the worshippers once purged should have had no more
conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made
of sins every year.
"And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an
atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year.
And he did as the Lord commanded Moses (Lev., 16:34)."
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice
and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no
pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is
written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
"Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou
opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written
of me,
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my
heart (Ps., 40:6-8)."
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt
offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst
pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh
away the first, that he may establish the second.
"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away
(Heb., 8:13)."
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of
the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the
law, but under grace (Rom., 6:14)."
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering
oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins (Heb., 10:4)."
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins
for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his
footstool.
"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet
(I. Cor., 15:25)."
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified.
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb., 10:10)."
15 Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after
that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after
those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts,
and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day
that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of
Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto
them, saith the Lord:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house
of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and
they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the
least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will
forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more
(Jer., 31:31-34)."
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering
for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the
holiest by the blood of Jesus,
"The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all
was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet
standing (Heb., 9:8)."
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us,
through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have
it more abundantly (Jno., 10:10)."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me (Jno., 14:6)."
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and
our bodies washed with pure water.
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man
appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Spirit (Titus, 3:4, 5)."
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to
good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching.
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the
Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was
written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon
his name.
And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I
make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son
that serveth him (Mal., 3:16, 17)."
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts, 2:42)."
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for
sins,
"But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he
be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord;
and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his
commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall
be upon him (Num., 15:30, 31)."
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"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more (Heb., 10:17)."
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and
have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy
Spirit,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to
come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing
they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to
an open shame (Heb., 6:4-6)."
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
"Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in
the day of the Lord's wrath (Zeph., 1:18)."
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or
three witnesses:
"One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for
any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or
at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established
(Deut., 19:15)."
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and
hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the
Spirit of grace?
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb., 10:10)."
"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption (Eph., 4:30)."
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto
me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall
judge his people.
"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall
slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at
hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his
servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there
is none shut up, or left (Deut., 32:35, 36)."
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God.
"But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he
hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear
him (Luke, 12:5)."
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye
were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches
and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them
that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully
the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in
heaven a better and an enduring substance.
"Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you
in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and
confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace
(Phil., 1:7)."
"The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft
refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain (II. Tim., 1:16)."
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the
will of God, ye might receive the promise.
"In your patience possess ye your souls (Luke, 21:19)."
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come,
and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw
back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Rom., 1:17)."
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of
them that believe to the saving of the soul.
CHAPTER 11.
OW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen.
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to
the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only
which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham;
who is the father of us all,
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before
him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and
calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of
many nations,
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according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead,
when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of
Sara's womb:
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong
in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also
to perform.
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness (Rom., 4:16-22)."
"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona:
for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my
Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it (Matt., 16:15-18)."
"She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son of God, which should come into the world (Jno., 11:27)."
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God (I. Cor., 1:18)."
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of
man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power
of God (I. Cor., 2:4, 5)."
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ (I. Cor., 3:11)."
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples,
which are not written in this book:
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name
(Jno., 20:30, 31)."
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God (Rom., 10:17)."
"And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by
faith (Acts, 15:9)."
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ (Rom., 5:1)."
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith
made perfect (Jas., 2:21, 22)?"
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph., 4:5)."
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye
believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins
(Jno., 8:24)."
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful
disputations (Rom., 14:1)."
"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet,
because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every
one of you all toward each other aboundeth (II. Thess., 1:3)."
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Rom., 1:17)."
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by
the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of
things which do appear.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Gen., 1:1)."
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
"And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit
of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat
thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering
(Gen., 4:3, 4)."
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death;
and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his
translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him
(Gen., 5:24)."
6 But without faith 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,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness
which is by faith.
"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for
the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will
destroy them with the earth.
Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and
shalt pitch it within and without with pitch (Gen., 6:13, 14)."
"And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark;
for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him
(Gen., 7:1, 5)."
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8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went
out, not knowing whither he went.
"And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory
appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he
dwelt in Charran,
And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred,
and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldæans, and dwelt in
Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into
this land, wherein ye now dwell.
And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to
set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a
possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no
child (Acts, 7:2-5)."
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a
strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob,
the heirs with him of the same promise:
"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And
to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ
(Gal., 3:16)."
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive
seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she
judged him faithful who had promised.
"And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead,
when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of
Sarah's womb (Rom., 4:19)."
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead,
so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand
which is by the sea shore innumerable.
"That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply
thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is
upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies
(Gen., 22:17)."
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises,
but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and
embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth.
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and
was glad (Jno., 8:56)."
"I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession
of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight
(Gen., 23:4)."
"For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as
were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a
shadow, and there is none abiding (I. Chron., 29:15)."
"Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace
at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a
sojourner, as all my fathers were (Ps., 39:12)."
"I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from
me (Ps., 119:19)."
"And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth
according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning
here in fear (I. Pet., 1:17)."
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
(I. Pet., 2:11)."
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek
a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from
whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have
returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an
heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God:
for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and
he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten
son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from
the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
"And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said,
Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing
unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not
withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind
him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and
took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of
his son.
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said
to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen
(Gen., 22:11-14)."
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and
was glad (Jno., 8:56)."
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20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to
come.
"And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing
Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his
father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father?
bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his
voice, and wept.
And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling
shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it
shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt
break his yoke from off thy neck (Gen., 27:30, 38-40)."
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of
Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
"And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee
in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are
mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine,
and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their
inheritance (Gen., 48:5, 6)."
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing
of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
"And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will
surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence
(Gen., 50:25)."
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his
parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were
not afraid of the king's commandment.
"And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he
was a goodly child, she hid him three months (Ex., 2:2)."
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be
called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
"And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went
out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an
Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren (Ex., 2:11)."
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 greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the
reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:
for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
"And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see
my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt
die (Ex., 10:28)."
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal (II. Cor., 4:18)."
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of
blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
"Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them,
Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the
passover.
For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he
seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord
will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in
unto your houses to smite you (Ex., 12:21, 23)."
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry
land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
"And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry
ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their
right hand, and on their left (Ex., 14:22)."
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were
compassed about seven days.
"So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets:
and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet,
and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down
flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight
before him, and they took the city (Josh., 6:20)."
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that
believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
"And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and
her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and
they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of
Israel (Josh., 6:23)."
32 And what shall I more say? for the
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time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and
of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and
Samuel, and of the prophets:
"And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped
will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let
all the other people go every man unto his place
(Judg., 7:7)."
"But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto
Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the
edge of the sword; and there was not a man left
(Judg., 4:16)."
"And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with
the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men (Judg., 15:16)."
"Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour
(Judg., 11:1)."
"And Jephthah judged Israel six years (Judg., 12:7)."
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his
brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day
forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah (I. Sam., 16:13)."
"And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his
words fall to the ground.
And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was
established to be a prophet of the Lord.
And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to
Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord. (I. Sam., 3:19-21)."
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
"Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the
Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the
sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel (II. Sam., 7:8)."
"Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and
came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared
against him.
And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as
he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he
told not his father or his mother what he had done (Judg., 14:5, 6)."
"Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they
have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me;
and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt (Dan., 6:21, 22)."
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to
flight the armies of the aliens.
"Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the
fire (Dan., 3:26)."
"Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and
they came by night, and compassed the city about.
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth,
behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And
his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are
more than they that be with them.
And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he
may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw:
and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of
fire round about Elisha (II. Kings, 6:14-17)."
"And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it
on the boil, and he recovered.
And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the
Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord
the third day?
And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord
will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten
degrees, or go back ten degrees (II. Kings, 20:7-9)?"
"Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his
sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off
his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was
dead, they fled (I. Sam., 17:51)."
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others
were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a
better resurrection:
"And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came
into him again, and he revived.
And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into
the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy
son liveth.
And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a
man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is
truth (I. Kings, 17:22-24)."
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,
yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
"And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place
where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the
prison (Gen., 39:20)."
"Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that
were in the high
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gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord
(Jer., 20:2)."
"Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put
him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made
that the prison.
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the
son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they
let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no
water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire (Jer., 38:6)."
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;
being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
"And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and
the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in
the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the
king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with
stones, that he died (I. Kings, 21:12)."
"And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the
priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith
God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot
prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the
commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord
(II. Chron., 24:20, 21)."
"And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up
to meet you, and told you these words?
And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a
girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the
Tishbite (II. Kings, 1:7, 8)."
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in
deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the
earth.
"For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord,
that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave,
and fed them with bread and water (I. Kings, 18:4)."
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,
received not the promise:
"For by it the elders obtained a good report (Heb., 11:2)."
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they
without us should not be made perfect.
"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament
(Heb., 7:22)."
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also
he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon
better promises (Heb., 8:6)."
CHAPTER 12.
HEREFORE seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
set before us,
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your mouth (Col., 3:8)."
"So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief
(Heb., 3:19)."
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth
the prize? So run, that ye may obtain (I. Cor., 9:24)."
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of
God, ye might receive the promise (Heb., 10:36)."
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith; 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.
"Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they
took Jesus, and led him away.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the
place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha
(Jno., 19:16, 17)."
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
"And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead;
whereof we are witnesses (Acts, 3:15)."
"It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the
servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household
(Matt., 10:25)?"
"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater
than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute
you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also
(Jno., 15:20)."
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as
it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground
(Luke, 22:44)."
"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns,
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and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands
(Jno., 19:1-3)."
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you
as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise
not thou the chastening of the Almighty (Job, 5:17)."
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth.
"Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest
him out of thy law (Ps., 94:12)."
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
"Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his
son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee (Deut., 8:5)."
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers,
then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected
us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather
be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit
shall return unto God who gave it (Ecc., 12:7)."
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after
their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might
be partakers of his holiness.
"Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy
(Lev., 19:2)."
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
(II. Cor., 4:17)."
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees;
13 And make straight paths 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, and holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and
thereby many be defiled;
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified
by the law; ye are fallen from grace (Gal., 5:4)."
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau,
who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
"Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and
drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his
birthright (Gen., 25:34)."
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited
the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance,
though he sought it carefully with tears.
"And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me
these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath
taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing
for me?
And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy
lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with
corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee,
my son?
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father?
bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his
voice, and wept (Gen., 27:36-38)."
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched,
and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and
tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which
voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be
spoken to them any more:
"There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or
shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live:
when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were
thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the
voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that
was in the camp trembled (Ex., 19:13, 16)."
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if
so much
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as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust
through with a dart:
"And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the
noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw
it, they removed, and stood afar off.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let
not God speak with us, lest we die (Ex., 20:18, 19)."
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I
exceedingly fear and quake:)
"And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were
thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the
voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that
was in the camp trembled (Ex., 19:16)."
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of
angels,
"For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem
which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all
(Gal., 4:25, 26)."
"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands
of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the
holy place (Ps., 68:17)."
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which
are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits
of just men made perfect,
"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are
virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto
God and to the Lamb (Rev., 14:4)."
"And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which
laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with
other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life
(Phil., 4:3)."
"Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the
proud (Ps., 94:2)."
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but
I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus (Phil., 3:12)."
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the
blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of
Abel.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus (I. Tim., 2:5)."
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also
he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon
better promises (Heb., 8:6)."
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without
shedding of blood is no remission (Heb., 9:22)."
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped
not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we
escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from
heaven:
"He that despiseth Moses' law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy,
who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood
of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath
done despite unto the Spirit of grace (Heb., 10:28, 29)?"
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised,
saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
"And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God;
and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended
upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a
furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly (Ex., 19:17, 18)."
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little
while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and
the dry land (Hag., 2:6)."
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing
of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those
things which cannot be shaken may remain.
"Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens
are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax
old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall
be changed:
But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end
(Ps., 102:25-27)."
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away
(Matt., 24:35)."
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let
us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence
and godly fear:
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a
kingdom, which shall
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never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people,
but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and
it shall stand for ever (Dan., 2:44)."
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
"And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire
on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel
(Ex., 24:17)."
"For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous
God (Deut., 4:24)."
"Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour
before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him
(Ps., 50:3)."
"The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles
be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and
judgment are the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence
of the Lord of the whole earth (Ps., 97:1-5)."
"For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like
a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames
of fire (Isa., 66:15)."
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (II. Thess., 1:7, 8)."
CHAPTER 13.
ET brotherly love continue.
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honour preferring one another (Rom., 12:10)."
"But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for
ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another
(I. Thess., 4:9)."
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares.
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me (Matt., 25:34-36)."
"And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of
Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed
himself with his face toward the ground;
And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your
servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall
rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will
abide in the street all night.
And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and
entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake
unleavened bread, and they did eat (Gen., 19:1-3)."
3 "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;
and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the
body.
"Remember my bonds (Col., 4:18)."
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled:
but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;
and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall
eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put
on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment
(Matt., 6:25)?"
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Ps., 37:25)."
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I
will not fear what man shall do unto me.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the
Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid
(Ps., 27:1)?"
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken
unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of
their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people from their sins (Matt., 1:21)."
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us (Matt., 1:23)."
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased (Matt., 3:17)."
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life (Jno., 8:12)."
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"In him was life; and the life was the light of men (Jno., 1:4)."
"And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people
were astonished at his doctrine:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the
scribes (Matt., 7:28, 29)."
"The officers answered, Never man spake like this man (Jno., 7:46)."
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I
am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly (Jno., 10:10)."
"And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead;
whereof we are witnesses (Acts, 3:15)."
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus
(Heb., 3:1)."
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The
Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall
be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order
it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth
even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this
(Isa., 9:6, 7)."
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For
it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;
not with meats, which have not profited them that have been
occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which
serve the tabernacle.
"Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of
the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are
partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel (I. Cor., 9:13, 14)."
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into
the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the
camp.
"Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a
clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood
with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt
(Lev., 4:12)."
"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the
place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one,
and Jesus in the midst (Jno., 19:17, 18)."
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with
his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing
his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to
come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to
his name.
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph., 5:20)."
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.
"For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of
the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God
(II. Cor., 9:12)."
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit
yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give
account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for
that is unprofitable for you.
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you
the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of
their conversation (Heb., 13:7)."
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all
things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be
restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood
of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working
in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which
hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and
good hope through grace,
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work
(II. Thess., 2:16, 17)."
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation:
for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
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23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with
whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the
saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
¶ Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy.
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