Bible verse by verse

[_LittleNipper]

Philemon 1-25

From: Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Jesus the Messiah, and brother Timothy

To: Our dear fellow-worker Philemon,

along with sister Apphia, our fellow-soldier Archippus and the congregation that meets in your home:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah.

I thank my God every time I remember you in my prayers, Philemon,

because I'm hearing about your love and commitment to the Lord Jesus and to all God’s people.

I pray that the fellowship based on your commitment will bring full understanding of every good thing that is ours united with the Messiah.

For your love has provided to me much joy and encouragement. Brother, you have lifted the hearts of God’s people.

Therefore, I would not hesitate, united with the Messiah, to direct you to do the thing you should do.

But since I (Paul) am the type of person I am, an old man and now for Jesus the Messiah's sake a prisoner besides, I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.

My request to you concerns my son (in Christ), of whom I brought to the saving knowledge while here in prison, Onesimus.

His name means “useful,” and although he was once useless to you, he has now become most useful — not only to you but also to me.

So in returning him to you I am sending a portion of my very heart.

I would really have loved to keep him with me, in order for him to serve me in your place while I am in prison because of the Good Message.

But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do for me may be voluntary and not forced.

Perhaps the reason he left you for a brief period was so that you could have him back forever,

no longer as a mere slave but, as a dear brother. And this is what he is, especially to me. But how much dearer he must be to you, both humanly and united with the Lord!

So if you are in agreement with me, receive him as you would me.

And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

I, Paul, write in my own hand. I will repay it. (I won’t mention, of course, that you owe me your new life.)

Yes, brother, please do this favor in the Lord for me. Renew my heart in the Messiah.

Trusting that you will respond positively, I write knowing that you will indeed do even more than I'm requesting.

One more thing: please get a room ready for me. For I hope that through the prayers of you all God will give me an opportunity to visit you.

Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner for the sake of Jesus the Messiah, sends you his greetings,

as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my co-workers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah be with your spirit.


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

2 and Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and the assembly in thy house:

3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

4 I give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers,

5 hearing of thy love and faith that thou hast unto the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that [is] in you toward Christ Jesus;

7 for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

8 Wherefore, having in Christ much boldness to command thee that which is fit --

9 because of the love I rather entreat, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ;

10 I entreat thee concerning my child -- whom I did beget in my bonds -- Onesimus,

11 who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,

12 whom I did send again, and thou him (that is, my own bowels) receive,

13 whom I did wish to retain to myself, that in thy behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the good news,

14 and apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity thy good deed may not be, but of willingness,

15 for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,

16 no more as a servant, but above a servant -- a brother beloved, especially to me, and how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord!

17 If, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me,

18 and if he did hurt to thee, or doth owe anything, this to me be reckoning;

19 I, Paul did write with my hand, I -- I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.

20 Yes, brother, may I have profit of thee in the Lord; refresh my bowels in the Lord;

21 having been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;

22 and at the same time also prepare for me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

23 Salute thee doth Epaphras, (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,)

24 Markus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lukas, my fellow-workmen!

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [is] with your spirit! Amen.

[_huckelberry]

We shall shortly arrive at the book of Hebrews. Because authentic authorship has been questioned a few times lets observe the problem in this case.

Without any doubts from scholars or people in the pews the author of this book is..

The author of Hebrews.

Now that this has been made clear both Nipper and Maksukov can proceed with the mutual understanding that Hebrews is a real first century Christian book.

[_LittleNipper]

We shall shortly arrive at the book of Hebrews. Because authentic authorship has been questioned a few times lets observe the problem in this case.

Without any doubts from scholars or people in the pews the author of this book is..

The author of Hebrews.

Now that this has been made clear both Nipper and Maksukov can proceed with the mutual understanding that Hebrews is a real first century Christian book.

Because of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD it is strongly held that Hebrews was written about 65 AD. Origen wrote the following concerning the letter in the 3rd Century:

"In the epistle entitled To The Hebrews the diction does not exhibit the characteristic roughness of speech or phraseology admitted by the Apostle [Paul] himself, the construction of the sentences is closer to the Greek usage, as anyone capable of recognising differences of style would agree. On the other hand the matter of the epistle is wonderful, and quite equal to the Apostle's acknowledged writings: the truth of this would be admitted by anyone who has read the Apostle carefully...If I were asked my personal opinion, I would say that the matter is the Apostle's but the phraseology and construction are those of someone who remembered the Apostle's teaching and applied his own style to what his master had said. So if any church regards this epistle as Paul's, it should be commended for doing so, for the primitive Church had every justification for handing it down as his. Who wrote the epistle is known to God alone: the accounts that have reached us suggest that it was either Clement, who became Bishop of Rome, or Luke, who wrote the gospel and the Acts."

Further, "Men of old have handed it down as Paul's, but who wrote the Epistle God only knows".

both Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 150 – 215) and Origen (AD 185 – 253) claimed a Pauline association for the book but recognized that Paul himself probably didn't physically write the book, even though they did not know the author’s name. Famous writers throughout history have used amanuenses, or secretaries, to produce their literature. The poet John Milton was blind by the age of 44. His entire Paradise Lost was dictated to friends and relatives (anyone who would write for him) and that’s how the entire epic was recorded (10,550 lines of poetry). Even though Milton himself did not put pen to paper, no one questions that Paradise Lost is his work. We understand the function of an amanuensis. While God did not “dictate” His Word to the human authors, the principle is similar. God, the Ultimate Author of the Bible, used human agents as His “amanuenses,” and the result was the divinely inspired Word of God.

It has been suggested that Priscilla a companion of Paul may have written the letter down. The reality is that the end product is divinely inspired.

[_LittleNipper]

Hebrews 1:1-14

In days past, God spoke in many and varied ways to the Founders through the prophets.

But now, in perilous times, He has spoken to us through His Son, to whom He has given ownership of everything and through whom He created the universe.

This Son is the radiance of the glory, the very expression of God’s essence, upholding all that exists by His powerful word; and after he had, through Himself, made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of Greatest on High.

He has become far superior than angels, and the name God has given him surpasses theirs.

For to which angel did God ever say, “You are my Son; this day I have become your Father”? Also, God never said to an angel, “I will be His Father, and He will be my Son.”

And additionally, when God brings His Firstborn into the world, He says, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”

In fact, when speaking of angels, He says, “. . . who makes His angels winds and His servants fiery flames”.

However to the Son, He says, “Your throne, O God, will last eternally. You rule Your Kingdom with a scepter of impartiality;

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you with the oil of joy in preference to your companions”.

And, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth --- heaven is the work of your hands.

Such will vanish, but You will remain --- like clothing, they will all wear out;

and you will fold them up like a coat. Yes, they will be changed like clothing, but you stay the same, your years unending.”

to top it off to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

Aren’t they in fact all merely spirits who serve, sent out to assist those whom God will save?

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 In many parts, and many ways, God of old having spoken to the fathers in the prophets,

2 in these last days did speak to us in a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He did make the ages;

3 who being the brightness of the glory, and the impress of His subsistence, bearing up also the all things by the saying of his might -- through himself having made a cleansing of our sins, sat down at the right hand of the greatness in the highest,

4 having become so much better than the messengers, as he did inherit a more excellent name than they.

5 For to which of the messengers said He ever, `My Son thou art -- I to-day have begotten thee?' and again, `I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to Me for a son?'

6 and when again He may bring in the first-born to the world, He saith, `And let them bow before him -- all messengers of God;'

7 and unto the messengers, indeed, He saith, `Who is making His messengers spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire;'

8 and unto the Son: `Thy throne, O God, [is] to the age of the age; a scepter of righteousness [is] the scepter of thy reign;

9 thou didst love righteousness, and didst hate lawlessness; because of this did He anoint thee -- God, thy God -- with oil of gladness above thy partners;'

10 and, `Thou, at the beginning, Lord, the earth didst found, and a work of thy hands are the heavens;

11 these shall perish, and Thou dost remain, and all, as a garment, shall become old,

12 and as a mantle Thou shall roll them together, and they shall be changed, and Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.'

13 And unto which of the messengers said He ever, `Sit at My right hand, till I may make thine enemies thy footstool?'

14 are they not all spirits of service -- for ministration being sent forth because of those about to inherit salvation?

[_LittleNipper]

Hebrews 2:1-18

Therefore, we must pay very close attention to the things we have heard, so that we will not drift away.

For if the word God uttered through messengers became binding, so that every violation and act of disobedience received what it deserved to the fullest extent,

then how shall we escape if we ignore such an astounding deliverance? This deliverance, which was first declared by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him;

while God also bore witness to it with various signs, wonders and miracles, and with gifts of the Holy Spirit which He distributed as he wished.

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come — about which we are talking.

And there is a place where someone has given this solemn testimony: “What is mere man, that you fret yourself with him? or the Son of man, that you watch over Him with such care?

You created Him a little lower than the angels, you crowned Him with glory and honor,

you put everything in subjection under His feet.” In subjecting everything to Him, He left nothing unsubjected. However, presently, we don’t see everything subjected to Him — at least, not yet.

But we do observe Jesus — who indeed was made for a short time lower than the angels — now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by God’s grace He might taste death for all humanity.

For in bringing many sons to glory, it was only correct that God, the Creator and Preserver of everything, should bring the Initiator of their deliverance to the goal through sufferings.

For both Jesus, who sets people apart for God, and the ones being set apart have a common heritage — this is why He is not ashamed to call them brethren

when He says, “I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the middle of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Also, “I will place My trust in Him, . . .” And additionally, “Here I Am, along with the children God has given Me.”

Therefore, since the children share a common physical nature as human beings, He became like them and shared that same human nature; so that by His death He might render ineffective the one who had power over death (the Adversary/Satan)

and this way set free those who had been in bondage all their lives because of their fear of dying.

In fact, it is obvious that He does not take hold of angels to assist them; quite the opposite,

“He grabs on the seed of Abraham.”

This is why He had to become like His brethren in every respect — so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God, making satisfactory appeasement for the people's sins.

For since He himself suffered death when he was tested, He is able to help those who are being tested now.


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Because of this it behoveth [us] more abundantly to take heed to the things heard, lest we may glide aside,

2 for if the word being spoken through messengers did become stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience did receive a just recompense,

3 how shall we escape, having neglected so great salvation? which a beginning receiving -- to be spoken through the Lord -- by those having heard was confirmed to us,

4 God also bearing joint-witness both with signs and wonders, and manifold powers, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to His will.

5 For not to messengers did He subject the coming world, concerning which we speak,

6 and one in a certain place did testify fully, saying, `What is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or a son of man, that Thou dost look after him?

7 Thou didst make him some little less than messengers, with glory and honour Thou didst crown him, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands,

8 all things Thou didst put in subjection under his feet,' for in the subjecting to him the all things, nothing did He leave to him unsubjected, and now not yet do we see the all things subjected to him,

9 and him who was made some little less than messengers we see -- Jesus -- because of the suffering of the death, with glory and honour having been crowned, that by the grace of God for every one he might taste of death.

10 For it was becoming to Him, because of whom [are] the all things, and through whom [are] the all things, many sons to glory bringing, the author of their salvation through sufferings to make perfect,

11 for both he who is sanctifying and those sanctified [are] all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 saying, `I will declare Thy name to my brethren, in the midst of an assembly I will sing praise to Thee;' and again, `I will be trusting on Him;'

13 and again, `Behold I and the children that God did give to me.'

14 Seeing, then, the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he himself also in like manner did take part of the same, that through death he might destroy him having the power of death -- that is, the devil --

15 and might deliver those, whoever, with fear of death, throughout all their life, were subjects of bondage,

16 for, doubtless, of messengers it doth not lay hold, but of seed of Abraham it layeth hold,

17 wherefore it did behove him in all things to be made like to the brethren, that he might become a kind and stedfast chief-priest in the things with God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people,

18 for in that he suffered, himself being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

[_LittleNipper]

Hebrews 3:1-19

Therefore, brethren whom God has set apart, who share in the call from heaven, think carefully about Jesus, whom we acknowledge publicly as God’s emissary and High Priest.

He was faithful to God, who appointed Him; just as Noses was faithful in all God’s house.

However Jesus deserves more honor than Moses, just as the builder of the house deserves more honor than the house.

For every house is built by someone, but the one who created everything is God.

Also, Moses was faithful in all God’s house, as a servant giving witness to things God would reveal later.

But the Messiah, as Son, was faithful over God’s house. And we are that house of His, provided we hold firmly to the courage and confidence inspired by what we hope for.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,“Today, if you hear God’s voice,

don’t harden your hearts, as you did during the Bitter Quarrel on that day in the Wilderness when you tested God.

Yes, your fathers tested Me; challenged me, and they saw my work for 40 years!

Therefore, I was disgusted with that generation. I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, they have not understood My ways.'

in my anger, I swore that they would not enter my rest.”

Watch out, brethren, so that there will not be in any of you an evil heart lacking trust, which could lead you to apostatize from the living God!

Instead, keep uplift each other daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you will become hardened by the deceit of sin.

For we have become sharers in the Messiah, provided, however, that we hold firmly to the conviction we began with, right through until the goal is reached.

Presently where it reads,“Today, if you hear God’s voice, don’t harden your hearts, as you did in that Bitter Quarrel,”

who were the people who, after they heard, quarreled so bitterly? All those whom Moses brought out of Egypt.

Those that disgusted God for 40 years? Those who sinned — yes, they died in the Wilderness!

And to those that He swore that they would not enter His rest? Those who were disobedient.

So we see that they were unable to enter because of lacking trust.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the apostle and chief priest of our profession, Christ Jesus,

2 being stedfast to Him who did appoint him, as also Moses in all his house,

3 for of more glory than Moses hath this one been counted worthy, inasmuch as more honour than the house hath he who doth build it,

4 for every house is builded by some one, and He who the all things did build [is] God,

5 and Moses indeed [was] stedfast in all his house, as an attendant, for a testimony of those things that were to be spoken,

6 and Christ, as a Son over his house, whose house are we, if the boldness and the rejoicing of the hope unto the end we hold fast.

7 Wherefore, (as the Holy Spirit saith, `To-day, if His voice ye may hear --

8 ye may not harden your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of the temptation in the wilderness,

9 in which tempt Me did your fathers, they did prove Me, and saw My works forty years;

10 wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, Always do they go astray in heart, and these have not known My ways;

11 so I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest -- !')

12 See, brethren, lest there shall be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in the falling away from the living God,

13 but exhort ye one another every day, while the To-day is called, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of the sin,

14 for partakers we have become of the Christ, if the beginning of the confidence unto the end we may hold fast,

15 in its being said, `To-day, if His voice ye may hear, ye may not harden your hearts, as in the provocation,'

16 for certain having heard did provoke, but not all who did come out of Egypt through Moses;

17 but with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with those who did sin, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?

18 and to whom did He swear that they shall not enter into His rest, except to those who did not believe? --

19 and we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

[_Choyo Chagas]

Nipper, please give us an estimate as to when you may go through the entire Bible.

Well, about a chapter a day.

Then (as there are 1189 chapters) the Nth coming's day reaches us at or around 2015 summer.

Nothing compared to 2000 years waiting.

today, 2017.09.02, we reached only to hebrews 3

1. littlenipper is lazy
2. ludwigm was/is an incorrigible optimist
3. both

[_LittleNipper]

Hebrews 4:1-16

So, we should be terrified of a possibility that, even though the promise of entering His rest remains, any one might be judged to have fallen short of it;

for the Good Message also has been proclaimed to us, just as it was to others. But that message they heard didn’t do them any good, because when they heard it that did not believe it.

For it is we who believe who enter the rest. It is just as He said, “And in my anger, I swore that they would not enter my rest." He swore this even though His works have been in existence since the founding of the universe.

For there is a point where it is reads, regarding the 7th day, “And God rested on the 7th day from all his works.”

And additionally, our present text says, “They will not enter my rest.”

Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter it, and those who received the Good Message earlier did not enter,

He again established a specific day, “Today,” saying through David, long afterwards, in the text already given,

“Today, if you hear God’s voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another “day.”

So there remains Sabbath-keeping for God’s people.

For the one who has entered God’s rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from His.

So, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.

See, the Word of God is living! It is working and is sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart.

Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account.

So, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through to the highest heaven, Jesus, the Son of God, let us grasp what we acknowledge as true.

For we do not have some high priest unable to empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect He was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not give in to temptation.

Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which God bestows grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace when necessary.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 We may fear, then, lest a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short,

2 for we also are having good news proclaimed, even as they, but the word heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard,

3 for we do enter into the rest -- we who did believe, as He said, `So I sware in My anger, If they shall enter into My rest -- ;' and yet the works were done from the foundation of the world,

4 for He spake in a certain place concerning the seventh [day] thus: `And God did rest in the seventh day from all His works;'

5 and in this [place] again, `If they shall enter into My rest -- ;'

6 since then, it remaineth for certain to enter into it, and those who did first hear good news entered not in because of unbelief --

7 again He doth limit a certain day, `To-day,' (in David saying, after so long a time,) as it hath been said, `To-day, if His voice ye may hear, ye may not harden your hearts,'

8 for if Joshua had given them rest, He would not concerning another day have spoken after these things;

9 there doth remain, then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God,

10 for he who did enter into his rest, he also rested from his works, as God from His own.

11 May we be diligent, then, to enter into that rest, that no one in the same example of the unbelief may fall,

12 for the reckoning of God is living, and working, and sharp above every two-edged sword, and piercing unto the dividing asunder both of soul and spirit, of joints also and marrow, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart;

13 and there is not a created thing not manifest before Him, but all things [are] naked and open to His eyes -- with whom is our reckoning.

14 Having, then, a great chief priest passed through the heavens -- Jesus the Son of God -- may we hold fast the profession,

15 for we have not a chief priest unable to sympathise with our infirmities, but [one] tempted in all things in like manner -- apart from sin;

16 we may come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of the grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace -- for seasonable help.

[_LittleNipper]

Hebrews 5:1-14

For every high priest taken from among humanity is appointed to act on people’s behalf regarding things concerning God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

He can deal gently with the ignorant and with those who go astray, since he also is subject to weakness.

Also, because of such weakness, he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as those of the people.

And no one grabs this position for himself, rather, he is called by God, just like Aaron.

So neither did the Messiah glorify Himself to become High Priest; rather, it was the One saying to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”

Also, as He says in another spot, “You are a priest forever, to be compared with Melchizedek.

During Jesus' existence on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to spare Him from death; and He was heard because of His godliness. Even though being the Son, He learned obedience through His sufferings.

And after He had been brought to the goal, He became the source of eternal deliverance to all in obedience to Him,

since He had been proclaimed by God as a High Priest in comparison with Melchizedek .

We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become slow to understand.

For although by now you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the starting principles of God’s Word all over again! You need milk, not solid food!

Anyone who has to drink milk is still a baby, without experience in applying the Word about righteousness.

Solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by continuous exercise to distinguish good from evil.”


Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 For every chief priest -- out of men taken -- in behalf of men is set in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins,

2 able to be gentle to those ignorant and going astray, since himself also is compassed with infirmity;

3 and because of this infirmity he ought, as for the people, so also for himself to offer for sins;

4 and no one to himself doth take the honour, but he who is called by God, as also Aaron:

5 so also the Christ did not glorify himself to become chief priest, but He who spake unto him: `My Son thou art, I to-day have begotten thee;'

6 as also in another [place] He saith, `Thou [art] a priest -- to the age, according to the order of Melchizedek;'

7 who in the days of his flesh both prayers and supplications unto Him who was able to save him from death -- with strong crying and tears -- having offered up, and having been heard in respect to that which he feared,

8 through being a Son, did learn by the things which he suffered -- the obedience,

9 and having been made perfect, he did become to all those obeying him a cause of salvation age-during,

10 having been addressed by God a chief priest, according to the order of Melchisedek,

11 concerning whom we have much discourse and of hard explanation to say, since ye have become dull of hearing,

12 for even owing to be teachers, because of the time, again ye have need that one teach you what [are] the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God, and ye have become having need of milk, and not of strong food,

13 for every one who is partaking of milk [is] unskilled in the word of righteousness -- for he is an infant,

14 and of perfect men is the strong food, who because of the use are having the senses exercised, unto the discernment both of good and of evil.

[_LittleNipper]

Hebrews 6:1-20

Therefore, Moving beyond the starting point regarding the Messiah, let us mature (not establishing again a foundation of works that lead to death) trusting God,

and instruction about washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal punishment.

And, God willing, this is what we will do.

For when people have finally been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become sharers in the Holy Spirit,

and tasted the goodness of God’s Word and the powers of the approaching age —

and then have fallen into apostasy — it is impossible to renew them so that they turn from their sin, as long as for themselves they keep executing the Son of God on the stake all over again and continue holding him up to public contempt.

For the land that soaks up frequent rains and then brings forth a crop useful to its owners receives a blessing from God;

but if it keeps producing thorns and thistles, it fails the test and is close to being cursed; in the end, it will be burned.

Now even though we speak this way, dear friends, we are confident that you have the better things coming with being delivered.

For God is not so unrighteous as to forget your work and the love you showed for him in your past service to his people — and in your present service too.

However, we want everyone of you to keep showing the same diligence clear up to the end, when your hope will be realized;

so that you will not slow down, but will be imitators of those who by their trust and patience are receiving what has been promised.

For when God made his promise to Abraham, he swore an oath to do what He had promised; and since there was no one greater than Himself for Him to swear by, He swore by Himself

and said,“I will certainly bless you, and I will absolutely give you many descendants."

and so, after waiting patiently, Abraham saw the promise fulfilled.

Now people swear oaths by someone greater than themselves, and confirmation by an oath puts an end to all dispute.

Therefore, when God wanted to demonstrate still more convincingly the unchangeable character of his intentions to those who were to receive what he had promised, he added an oath to the promise;

so that through 2 unchangeable things, in neither of which God could lie, we, who have fled to take a firm hold on the hope set before us, would be strongly encouraged.

We have this assurance as a sure and safe anchor for ourselves, that goes right on through to what is behind the curtain,

where a forerunner has come on our behalf, namely, Jesus, who has become a High Priest forever, in comparison with Melchisedek.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Wherefore, having left the word of the beginning of the Christ, unto the perfection we may advance, not again a foundation laying of reformation from dead works, and of faith on God,

2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on also of hands, of rising again also of the dead, and of judgment age-during,

3 and this we will do, if God may permit,

4 for [it is] impossible for those once enlightened, having tasted also of the heavenly gift, and partakers having became of the Holy Spirit,

5 and did taste the good saying of God, the powers also of the coming age,

6 and having fallen away, again to renew [them] to reformation, having crucified again to themselves the Son of God, and exposed to public shame.

7 For earth, that is drinking in the rain many times coming upon it, and is bringing forth herbs fit for those because of whom also it is dressed, doth partake of blessing from God,

8 and that which is bearing thorns and briers [is] disapproved of, and nigh to cursing, whose end [is] for burning;

9 and we are persuaded, concerning you, beloved, the things that are better, and accompanying salvation, though even thus we speak,

10 for God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the labour of the love, that ye shewed to His name, having ministered to the saints and ministering;

11 and we desire each one of you the same diligence to shew, unto the full assurance of the hope unto the end,

12 that ye may not become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patient endurance are inheriting the promises.

13 For to Abraham God, having made promise, seeing He was able to swear by no greater, did swear by Himself,

14 saying, `Blessing indeed I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee;'

15 and so, having patiently endured, he did obtain the promise;

16 for men indeed do swear by the greater, and an end of all controversy to them for confirmation [is] the oath,

17 in which God, more abundantly willing to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, did interpose by an oath,

18 that through two immutable things, in which [it is] impossible for God to lie, a strong comfort we may have who did flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before [us],

19 which we have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and entering into that within the vail,

20 whither a forerunner for us did enter -- Jesus, after the order of Melchisedek chief priest having become -- to the age.