1THEREFORE, let us leave the elementary word of Christ, and let us go on to perfection: Why do you again lay another foundation for the repentance from past deeds, and for faith in God? 2And for the doctrine of baptisms, and for the laying on of hands, and for the resurrection of the dead and for eternal judgment? 3If the LORD permits, this we will do. 4But this is impossible for those who have once been baptised, and have tasted the gift from heaven, and have received the Holy Spirit, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6For, for them to sin again, and be renewed again by repentance, they crucify the Son of God a second time, and put him to open shame. 7For the earth which drinks in the rain that falls abundantly on it, and brings forth herbs useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God: 8But if it should produce thorns and briers it is rejected and not far from being condemned; and at the end this crop will be used for fuel.

9But beloved brethren, we expect from you the things that are good and that pertain to salvation, even though we speak in this manner. 10For God is not unjust to forget your works and your labor of love which you have made known in his name, for you have ministered to the saints and still do minister. 11We desire that every one of you show the same diligence toward the fulfillment of your hope, even unto the end, 12And that you be not slothful, but be followers of those who through faith and patience have become heirs of the promise.

13For when God made a promise to A’braham, because there was none greater than himself by whom he could swear, he swore by himself, 14Saying, Blessing, I will bless you, and multiplying, I will multiply you. 15And so he was patient, and obtained the promise. 16For men swear by one who is greater than themselves: and in every dispute among them, the true settlement is by oaths. 17Therefore, because God wanted more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise that his agreement was unchangeable, he sealed it by an oath. 18Thus, by the promise and by the oath which are unchangeable, and in neither of which could God lie, we find courage to hold fast to the hope that has been promised by him in whom we have taken refuge. 19That promise is like an anchor to us; it upholds the soul so that it may not be shaken, and it penetrates beyond the veil of the temple; 20Therein Jesus has previously entered for our sakes, and become the high priest for ever, after the order of Mel-chis'e-dec.