eng_aiv Amundson Interpretive Version Hebrews Hebrews Hebrews Heb Hebrews id=eng_aiv name=Amundson Interpretive Version (AIV) status=draft spec=USFM-USX 3.1.1 export=2026-11-02 char:add=translator-addition-italic char:wj=words-of-Jesus-as-received-unmapped note:f=footnotes para:r=parallel-passage-references para:d=psalm-superscriptions The Supremacy of the Son (Colossians 1:15–23) God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days spoke to us in His Son,1.2 Or by His Son whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ages,1.2 Or the world; or the universe who, being the radiance of His glory and the exact imprint of His substance and bearing all things by the word of power—through His having made purification of sins—1.3 BYZ and TR of our sins sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as much as He has inherited a name more excellent beyond theirs. For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son; today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him for a Father, and He will be to Me for a Son”1.5 Psalm 2:7; or today I have become Your Father? 1.5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13 And again, when He brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “And let all angels of God worship Him.” 1.6 Deuteronomy 32:43 (see DSS and LXX) And indeed to the angels He says: “The One making His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.” 1.7 Psalm 104:4 (see also LXX) But to the Son: “Your throne, O God, is to the age of the age, and the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; because of this, God, Your God, anointed You with the oil of exultation beyond Your companions.” 1.9 Psalm 45:6–7 And: “You, in the beginning, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are works of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and all will grow old like a garment; and like a robe You will roll them up, and like a garment they will be changed; but You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”1.12 BYZ and TR do not include like a garment. 1.12 Psalm 102:25–27 Now to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand until I shall place Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet”? 1.13 Psalm 110:1 Are they not all1.14 Or Are not the angels ministering spirits being sent forth for service for the sake of those being about to inherit salvation? Salvation Confirmed Because of this, it is necessary for us to give heed more abundantly to the things having been heard, lest ever we should drift away. For if the word having been spoken by angels was firm, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, how will we escape, having neglected such a great salvation, which, having received a beginning to be spoken by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those having heard, God testifying with them both by signs and wonders, and by various miracles, and distributions of the Holy Spirit according to His will. Jesus like His Brothers For not to angels did He subject the world that is about to be, concerning which we are speaking, but someone somewhere solemnly testified, saying, “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little less than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor;2.7 Or a little while lower; also in verse 9 2.7 WH and TR include and set him over the works of Your hands. You subjected all things under his feet.”2.8 Psalm 8:4–6 (see also LXX) For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing unsubject to him. But now, not yet do we see all things having been subjected to him. But we see Jesus, the One having been made a little less than the angels, because of the suffering of death, having been crowned with glory and with honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting to Him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, having brought many sons to glory, to make perfect the author2.10 Or pioneer or founder of their salvation through sufferings. For both the One sanctifying and those being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will sing Your praises.” 2.12 Psalm 22:22 (see also LXX) And again: “I will be trusting on Him.” And again: “Behold, I and the children whom God gave to Me.”2.13 Isaiah 8:17 2.13 Isaiah 8:18 Therefore, since the children have shared in blood and flesh, He also likewise partook of the same things, so that through death He might render powerless the one having the power of death, that is, the devil, and might set free those who all their time to live were subject to slavery through the fear of death. For surely it is not the angels He lays hold of, but He lays hold of the seed of Abraham. Hence it was necessary to be made like the brothers in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the things relating to God, in order to make propitiation2.17 Or to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to help those being tempted. Jesus Our Apostle and High Priest Hence, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, carefully consider Jesus,3.1 BYZ Jesus Christ; TR Christ Jesus the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, being faithful to the One having appointed Him, as Moses also in all His house.3.2 Or just as Moses was faithful in all God's house; SBL just as Moses was faithful in His house For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by as much as the one having built it has more honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but the One having built everything is God. And indeed Moses was faithful as an attendant in all His house, for a testimony of the things going to be spoken, 3.5 Numbers 12:7 but Christ as the Son over His house, whose house we are, if we should hold3.6 NE, WH, BYZ, and TR include to the end. our confidence and the boast of our hope. Do Not Harden Your Hearts (Psalm 95:1–11) Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you⁺ should hear His voice, do not harden your⁺ hearts, as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,3.8 Or desert; also in verse 17 where forty years your⁺ fathers tested Me by trial and saw My works. Therefore I was angry with this generation, and I said, ‘Always they go astray in their heart; and did not know My ways;’ as I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter into My rest.’”3.11 Psalm 95:7–11 (see also LXX) The Peril of Unbelief See to it, brothers, lest ever there will be in any of you⁺ an evil heart of unbelief in the falling away from the living God. But encourage one another each day, as long as it is called today, so that not any of you⁺ may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if indeed we should hold firm until the end the assurance from the beginning. As it is said: “Today if you⁺ should hear His voice, do not harden your⁺ hearts, as in the rebellion.” 3.15 Psalm 95:7–8 For who, having heard, rebelled? But was it not all those having come forth out of Egypt through Moses?3.16 RP and TR For some did rebel when they heard God's voice, but not all whom Moses led out of Egypt. And with whom was He angry forty years, if not with those having sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they will not enter into His rest, if not to those having disobeyed? And we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. The Sabbath Rest (Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 16:22–30) Therefore we should fear, lest ever, the promise to enter into His rest left remaining, any of you⁺ should seem to have fallen short. For also we are those having had the gospel proclaimed, even as also those; but the word of their hearing did not profit those not having been united with the faith of those having heard.4.2 Or since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it For we enter into the rest—those having believed—just as He has said: “As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter into My rest.’” And yet the works were done from the foundation of the world. 4.3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5 For He has spoken somewhere about the seventh day thus: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.” 4.4 Genesis 2:2 And again in this: “They shall not enter into My rest.” Therefore, since it remains for some to enter into it, and those formerly having had the gospel proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day as “Today,” saying in David after so long a time, just as it has been said before, “Today, if you⁺ should hear His voice, do not harden your⁺ hearts.” 4.7 Psalm 95:7–8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken after this about another day. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one having entered into His rest, he also rested from his works, just as God did from His own. Therefore we should be diligent to enter into that rest, so that no one should fall in the same exhibit of disobedience. The Living Word (2 Timothy 3:10–17) For the word of God is living and effective, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing through and as far as the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrows, and able to judge the reflections and intentions of the heart. And there is no created thing hidden before Him, but all things are bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom is our account. Therefore, having a great high priest having passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest not being able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one having been tempted in all things by the same way, without sin. Therefore let us come with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need. The Perfect High Priest (Psalm 110:1–7) For every high priest being taken from among men is appointed for men in things relating to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins, being able to deal gently with those being ignorant and going astray, since he himself also is encompassed by weakness; and because of this, he is obligated, just as concerning the people, to offer for sins so also concerning himself. And no one takes upon himself the honor, but is being called by God, just as Aaron also. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become a high priest, but the One having said to Him: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” 5.5 Psalm 2:7; or today I have become Your Father Just as that, He also says in another place: “You are a priest to the age, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 5.6 Psalm 110:4 He in the days of His flesh having offered both supplications and entreaties with strong crying and tears to the One being able to save Him from death, and having been heard from reverence, although being a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered, and having been perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation to all those obeying Him, having been designated by God as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Milk and Solid Food (1 Corinthians 3:1–9) Concerning this there is much speech from us, and difficult in interpretation to speak, since you⁺ have become dull in hearing. For even by the time you ought to be teachers, you⁺ have need of one to teach you⁺ again what is the beginning of the elements of the oracles of God;5.12 Or God's word and you⁺ have become those having need of milk, and not of solid food. For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature,5.14 Or perfect or complete; Greek teleiōn the ones by constant use having trained the senses for distinguishing both good and evil. A Call to Maturity Therefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, we should carry on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works,6.1 Or from works of death and of faith in God, teaching of baptisms,6.2 Or cleansing rites and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God may permit. For it is impossible for those once having been enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and having become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and having tasted the goodness of God’s word and the power of the coming age— and then having fallen away—to restore them again to repentance, crucifying in themselves the Son of God and subjecting Him to open shame. For land having drunk in the rain coming often upon it and producing vegetation useful for those because of whom also it is tilled partakes of blessing from God. But that bringing out thorns and thistles is unapproved and near to a curse, of which the end is unto burning. But even if we speak thus. beloved, we are persuaded of better things concerning you⁺, and things belonging to salvation. For God is not unjust to forget your⁺ work and the love6.10 BYZ and TR your work and the labor of love that you⁺ showed for His name, having ministered to the saints, and still ministering. And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, so that you⁺ may not be sluggish, but imitators of those through faith and patience inheriting the promises. God’s Unchangeable Promise For God, having made the promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 6.14 Genesis 22:17 And thus having waited patiently, he obtained the promise. For men6.16 BYZ and TR include indeed. swear by the greater, and of all their disputes, an end for confirmation is the oath, in which God, willing to show more abundantly the unchangeableness of His purpose to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed it by an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, having fled for refuge to take hold of the hope being set before us, which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and firm and entering into that within the veil, where Jesus, the forerunner for us, entered according to the order of Melchizedek, having become a high priest to the age. Melchizedek and Abraham (Genesis 14:17–24) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High,7.1 Genesis 14:18 the one having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and having blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of all, first indeed being translated, “king of righteousness;” and then also, “king of Salem,” which is, “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, remains a priest in perpetuity. Now behold how great this one was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best spoils. And indeed, those out from the sons of Levi receiving the priesthood have a commandment to take a tenth from the people, according to the law—that is, from their brothers, though having come forth out of the loin of Abraham. But the one not tracing his descent out from them has collected a tenth from Abraham and has blessed the one having the promises. And apart from all dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater. And here indeed, dying men receive the tenths; but there, it is being testified that he lives. and so to say a word, even Levi, the one receiving the tenths, has paid the tenth through Abraham. For he was still in the loin of his father when Melchizedek met him. A Superior Priesthood Then indeed, if perfection were by the Levitical priesthood (for upon it the people had received the law) what need was still for another priest to arise, according to the order of Melchizedek and not to be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, out of necessity a change of law also takes place. For he of whom these things are said belonged to another tribe, from which no one has attended at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, a tribe in regard to which Moses spoke nothing about priests.7.14 BYZ and TR about priesthood And it is yet more abundantly evident if another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises, who has become such not according to a law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is testified: “You are a priest to the age, according to the order of Melchizedek.”7.17 Or For He testifies 7.17 Psalm 110:4 For indeed, there is a putting away of the preceding commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law perfected nothing), and the introduction of a better hope, by which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for those indeed apart from an oath are become priests), the One, however, was with an oath through the One saying to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind; ‘You are a priest to the age.’” 7.21 Psalm 110:4; BYZ and TR include in the order of Melchizedek. By so much also, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. And indeed those having become priests are many, because of by death being prevented from continuing. But because of His remaining to the age, He has the permanent priesthood, wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost7.25 Or forever those drawing near to God through Him, always living to intercede for them. For such for us indeed was fitting—a high priest holy, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens, who has no need every day, as the first high priests, to offer up sacrifices for his own sins, then for those of the people; for He did this once for all, having offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men having weakness; but the word of the oath, which is after the law, appoints a Son having been perfected to the age. Christ’s Eternal Priesthood Now the main point of the things being said: We have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the holy places and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high priest is appointed in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices, wherefore it was necessary for this One also to have something that He might offer. Then8.4 BYZ and TR Now indeed, if He were on earth, not even would He be a priest, there being those offering the gifts according to law, who serve as an example and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was divinely warned being about to complete the tabernacle. For He says, “See that you will make all things according to the pattern having been shown to you in the mountain.” 8.5 Exodus 25:40; see also Exodus 26:30. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:26–40) But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises. For if that first had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second. For finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, and I will complete with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day of My having taken hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, giving My laws into their mind, and I will inscribe them upon their hearts; and I will be unto them God, and they will be unto Me for a people. And they shall not teach, each his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because all will know Me, from the small to the great of them, 8.11 Or his fellow citizen because I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I shall remember their sins8.12 BYZ and TR include and lawless acts. no more.8.12 Jeremiah 31:31–34 (see also LXX) In saying, “new,” He has made old the first; and that which is growing old and aging is near to vanishing. 8.13 Or By speaking of a new covenant; The Earthly Tabernacle (Exodus 40:1–33; Acts 7:44–47) Therefore also indeed, the first9.1 Or the first covenant; also in verse 18 had ordinances of sacred service and a worldly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared, the first room in which were both the lampstand and the table, and the loaves of the presentation,9.2 Or the consecrated bread which is called “Holy.” Now behind the second veil was a tabernacle, being called “Holy of Holies,”9.3 Or the Most Holy Place having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant having been covered around in every part with gold, in which was the golden jar having the manna, and the staff of Aaron having budded, and the tablets of the covenant. And far above it were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat9.5 Or atonement cover—concerning which it is not now time to speak particularly. Now these things having been prepared thus, indeed the priests enter into the first tabernacle at all times, accomplishing the sacred services, but only the high priest into the second, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of ignorance of the people. By this the Holy Spirit was making clear that the way into the holy places9.8 Or the Holy Place; also in verses 12 and 25 had not yet been made manifest, the first tabernacle still having a standing, which is a parable for the present time, in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, not being able to make perfect in regard to conscience the one doing sacred service, consisting only in foods and drinks and various washings—ordinances9.10 BYZ and TR washings and ordinances. of the flesh being imposed until the time of reformation. Redemption through His Blood But Christ, having come as high priest of the good things coming,9.11 BYZ and TR that are to come through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not of this creation, nor by blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered once for all into the holy places, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and of bulls9.13 BYZ and TR of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the ones having been defiled sanctify them for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit9.14 F35 the Holy Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our9.14 BYZ and TR your conscience from dead works, in order to serve the living God! And because of this, He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions upon the first covenant, those having been called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a covenant,9.16 Or a will; also in verse 17. there is a necessity to bring forth the death of the one having made it. For a covenant is firm upon death, since it is not in force at the time when the one having made it is living, wherefore neither has the first been inaugurated without blood. For on every commandment having been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, having taken the blood of calves and of goats,9.19 SBL does not include and of goats. with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, he sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God commanded to you⁺.” 9.20 Exodus 24:8 And likewise he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the sacred service with blood. And almost all things are purified with blood according to the law, and without blood-shedding there is no forgiveness. Therefore there was a necessity indeed for the representations of the things in the heavens to be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ entered not into holy places made by hands, copies of the true ones, but into heaven itself, now to appear for us in the presence of God, nor that He should offer Himself many times, just as the high priest enters into the holy places every year with the blood of another. Otherwise it was necessary for Him to have suffered many times from the foundation of the world. But now He has been revealed once in the consummation of the ages for the putting away of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is apportioned to men to die once, and after this, judgment, so also Christ, having been offered once in order to bear the sins of many, will appear for a second time, apart from sin, to those eagerly awaiting Him for salvation. Christ’s Perfect Sacrifice (Psalm 40:1–17) For the law, having a shadow of the good things about to be, not the image of the things themselves, every year with the same sacrifices that they offer unto perpetuity, never is able to perfect those coming near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased being offered, because of no more having conscience of sins, those serving having been cleansed once? But in these is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins. Therefore, coming into the world, He says: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and concerning sin offerings You were not well pleased. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— in the scroll of the book it has been written about Me— to do Your will, O God.’” 10.7 Psalm 40:6–8 (see also LXX) Saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings10.8 BYZ and TR Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and those for sin You did not desire, nor were You well pleased” (which are offered according to the law), then He has said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.10.9 BYZ and TR include O God.” He takes away the first so that He might establish the second, in which act of will, we are having been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And indeed every priest has stood every day, serving and offering the same sacrifices many times, which never are able to take away sins. But this One, having offered one sacrifice for sins unto perpetuity, sat down at the right hand of God, as to the rest awaiting until His enemies should be placed as a footstool for His feet. For by one offering, He has perfected unto perpetuity those being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us. For after having said: “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, giving My laws on their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their mind,” 10.16 Jeremiah 31:33 then He says: “Their sins and their lawless acts, I will remember no more.”10.17 Jeremiah 31:34 Now where there is forgiveness of these, no longer is there an offering concerning sin. A Call to Persevere (Jude 1:17–23) Therefore, brothers, having confidence for entrance to the holy places10.19 Or the Most Holy Place in the blood of Jesus, by a new10.20 Or freshly slain and living way, which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,10.20 Or through the curtain of His body and having a great priest over the house of God, we should come near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, the hearts having been sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and the body having been washed with pure water. We should hold fast to the confession of our hope, unwavering; for the One having promised is faithful. And we should carefully consider toward stirring up one another to love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, as is the custom with some, but exhorting, and so much more as you⁺ see the Day drawing near. For if we are sinning willingly after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and zeal of fire being about to devour the adversaries. Anyone having set aside the law of Moses dies without mercies on the basis of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you⁺ think he will be worthy of, the one having trampled upon the Son of God, and having deemed common the blood of the covenant in which he was sanctified, and having insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know the One having said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”10.30 Deuteronomy 32:35 (see also LXX); BYZ and TR include says the Lord. 10.30 Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 135:14 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, having been enlightened, you⁺ endured a great conflict of sufferings, this indeed, being made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations; now this, having become partners of those being treated thus. For you⁺ also sympathized with the prisoners10.34 BYZ and TR with my chains and you⁺ accepted the plundering of your⁺ possessions with joy, knowing yourselves to have a better and abiding possession.10.34 BYZ and TR include in heaven. Therefore do not throw away your⁺ confidence, which has a great reward. For you⁺ have need of perseverance, so that, having done the will of God, you⁺ may receive the promise. For “Yet in a very little while, the One coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he might shrink back, My soul is not well pleased in him.”10.38 BYZ and TR But the righteous will live by faith 10.38 Habakkuk 2:3–4 (see also LXX) But we are not of those shrinking back to destruction, but of faith to the preserving of the soul. Faith and Assurance (Genesis 1:1–2; John 1:1–5) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen. For in this the ancients were well-attested. By faith we understand the ages to have been completed thoroughly by the word of God, in order for that being seen not to have come into being out of the things being visible. The Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah (Genesis 4–9) By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts; and through it, having died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was translated not to see death, “and he was not found, because God translated him.”11.5 Or transferred or taken up For before the translation, he had been testified to have pleased God. 11.5 Genesis 5:24 (see also LXX) And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for it is necessary for the one coming to God to believe that He is and that He becomes a rewarder to those seeking Him out. By faith Noah, having been divinely warned concerning the things not yet being seen, having been moved with fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righeousness according to faith. The Faith of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 15–22; Romans 4:1–12) By faith Abraham, being called to go out into a place11.8 BYZ and TR the place that he was about to receive for an inheritance, obeyed and went out, not knowing where he is going. By faith he sojourned in the land of the promise as in a foreign country, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. For he was awaiting the city having foundations, of which the architect and builder is God. By faith also Sarah, herself barren, received power for the conception of seed even beyond the opportune age, since she esteemed faithful the One having promised. Therefore also were born from one man, and these of one having become as dead, as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand by the shore of the sea, countless. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar,11.13 TR includes and were persuaded. and having welcomed them, and having confessed that they are strangers and sojourners on the earth. For those saying such things make manifest that they are seeking out a homeland. And indeed if they had been remembering that from which they came out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they stretch forward to a better one, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for He prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, being tested. has offered up Isaac. Even the one having received the promises was offering up his only begotten,11.17 Or one and only son as to whom it was said, “In Isaac a seed will be called to you,” 11.18 Genesis 21:12 having reasoned that God was able even to raise him out from the dead, from where he received him back also in a simile.11.19 Or parable; Greek parabolē The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (Genesis 27–50) By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the things about to be. By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, finishing life, made mention concerning the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave commands concerning his bones. The Faith of Moses (Exodus 2–15; Acts 7:20–22) By faith Moses, having been born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw the child was beautiful, and they did not fear the edict of the king. By faith Moses, having become grown, refused to be called the son of the daughter of Pharaoh, having chosen to suffer mistreatment with the people of God rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin, having esteemed the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt;11.26 TR in Egypt for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not having feared the anger of the king; for as seeing the Invisible One, he persevered. By faith he has kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one destroying the firstborn should not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land, which the Egyptians, having made an attempt,11.29 Or having tried to follow were swallowed up. The Faith of Many (Joshua–Malachi) By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those having disobeyed, having welcomed the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time will fail me recounting fully about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, also David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, worked justice,11.33 Or righteousness; Greek dikaiosynēn obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the mouths of the sword, were made powerful out of weakness, became strong in war, and put to flight foreign armies. Women received their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not having accepted release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection. And others received the trial of mockings and of scourgings, and even of chains and of imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two,11.37 NE, WH, BYZ, and TR include they were put to the test, they died by slaughter of the sword; they wandered in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, being oppressed, being mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes of the earth. And these all, having been testified to through faith, did not receive the promise, God having planned something better for us, so that not apart from us, they should be perfected. A Call to Endurance (2 Timothy 2:1–13) Therefore we also, having such a great cloud of witnesses encompassing us, having put off every weight and the sin easily entangling, should run through perseverance the race lying before us, looking to Jesus, the author12.2 Or pioneer or founder and perfecter of our faith, who in view of the joy lying before Him endured the cross, having despised its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider fully the One having endured such great contradiction by sinners against Himself, so that you⁺ might not grow weary, fainting in your⁺ souls. God Disciplines His Sons Not yet did you⁺ resist unto blood, struggling against sin, and you⁺ have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you⁺ as to sons: “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint being reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines whom He loves, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” 12.6 Or and He chastises every son He receives; Proverbs 3:11–12 (see also LXX) It is for discipline that you⁺ endure;12.7 GOC, ALT, F35, and TR If you are enduring discipline God is treating you⁺ as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you⁺ are without discipline, of which they have all become partakers, then you⁺ are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore indeed, we have had fathers of our flesh, discipliners, and we respected them; and will we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and will live? For indeed, for a few days according to that seeming good to them, they were disciplining us—but He for our benefitting, in order to share His holiness. And all discipline indeed for the present does not seem to be of joy, but of grief; but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness12.11 Or it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those having been trained by it. Therefore set straight again the drooping hands and the enfeebled knees,12.12 Or paralyzed; Greek paralelymena 12.12 Isaiah 35:3 and make straight paths for your⁺ feet, so that the lame should not be turned aside, but rather should be healed. 12.13 Proverbs 4:26 (see also LXX) A Call to Holiness (1 Peter 1:13–21) Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord, overseeing, lest any be falling short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up should trouble you, and by this the many might be defiled, 12.15 See Deuteronomy 29:18 lest there be any sexually immoral person or profane person, as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright. For you⁺ know that even afterward, wanting to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, although having sought it out with tears. An Unshakable Kingdom (Exodus 20:18–21; Deuteronomy 5:22–33) For you⁺ have not come to12.18 BYZ and TR to a mountain that being touched and having been kindled with fire, and to darkness and to gloom and to storm, and to the sound of a trumpet, and to a voice of sayings which those having heard begged that the word not be addressed to them, for they could not bear that being commanded: “If even a beast should touch the mountain, it will be stoned.” 12.20 Exodus 19:12–13 And the thing appearing was so fearful that Moses said, “I am greatly afraid and trembling.” 12.21 Deuteronomy 9:19 But you⁺ have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, and to the assembly, to the church of the firstborn having been enrolled in the heavens, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous having been perfected, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, speaking a better thing12.24 TR better things than that of Abel. Watch out, lest you⁺ refuse the One speaking. For if they did not escape, having refused the One divinely warning them on earth, much less we, turning away from the One from the heavens, whose voice shook the earth at that time; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 12.26 Haggai 2:6 And this, “Yet once more,” makes evident the removing of the things being shaken, as having been made, so that the things not being shaken should remain. Therefore, receiving an unshakable kingdom, we may have grace, by which we may serve God well pleasingly, with reverence12.28 BYZ and TR with reverence and godly fear and awe. “For also, our God is a consuming fire.” 12.29 Deuteronomy 4:24 Brotherly Love Let brotherly love remain. Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for through this, some entertained angels unawares. Remember the prisoners as having been bound with them, those being mistreated as yourselves also being in the body. Let marriage be honored in all, and the marriage bed undefiled; for13.4 BYZ and TR but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Christ’s Unchanging Nature your manner of life let be without love of money, being satisfied with the present; for He Himself has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” 13.5 Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5 So we are confident to say: “The Lord is to me a helper, and I will not be afraid; what will man do to me?” 13.6 Psalm 118:6 (see also LXX) Remember those leading you⁺ who spoke the word of God to you⁺, of whom, considering the outcome of their conduct, imitate the faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and to the ages. Do not be carried along13.9 TR carried about by various and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by foods, in which those walking were not profited. We have an altar from which those serving in the tabernacle have no authority to eat. For animals whose blood is brought for sin into the holy places by the high priest—the bodies of those are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate. so that He might sanctify the people by His own blood, Therefore we should go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have an abiding city, but we are seeking for the one about to be. Sacrifice, Obedience, and Prayer Through Him, then,13.15 WH does not include then. we should offer up a sacrifice of praise through all time to God, that is, the fruit of lips confessing His name. And do not be forgetful of doing good and of sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey you⁺ those leading and be subject, for they watch over your⁺ souls as those who will give an account, so that they may do this with joy and not groaning, for this is unprofitable for you⁺. Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves well in all things. And more abundantly I exhort you to do this, so that I may be restored to you⁺ more quickly. Benediction and Farewell Now may the God of peace, the One having brought up out from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you⁺ in everything good13.21 BYZ and TR every good work in order to do His will, doing in us13.21 BYZ and TR you that which is well pleasing before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory to the ages of the ages.13.21 SBL does not include glory to the ages. Amen. Now I exhort you⁺, brothers, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have also written to you⁺ by few words. You⁺ know our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I will see you⁺ if he should come more quickly. Greet all those leading you⁺ and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you⁺. Grace be with all of you⁺.13.25 BYZ and TR include Amen.