The Epistle to the Hebrews

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

Therefore, leauing the doctrine of the beginning of Christ, let vs be led forward vnto perfection, not laying againe ye foundation of repetance from dead workes, and of faith toward God,

Of the doctrine of baptismes, and laying on of hands, and of the resurrection from the dead, and of eternall iudgement.

And this will we doe if God permit.

For it is impossible that they which were once lightened, and haue tasted of the heauenly gift, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost,

And haue tasted of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come,

If they fal away, should be renued againe by repentance: seeing they crucifie againe to themselues the Sonne of God, and make a mocke of him.

For the earth which drinketh in the raine that commeth oft vpon it, and bringeth foorth herbes meete for them by whome it is dressed, receiueth blessing of God.

But that which beareth thornes and briars, is reproued, and is neere vnto cursing, whose end is to be burned.

But beloued, we haue perswaded our selues better things of you, and such as accompany saluation, though we thus speake.

For God is not vnrighteous, that hee should forget your worke, and labour of loue, which ye shewed toward his Name, in that ye haue ministred vnto the Saints, and yet minister.

And we desire that euery one of you shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope vnto the ende,

That ye be not slouthfull, but followers of them, which through faith and patience, inherite the promises.

God’s Unchangeable Promise

For when God made the promise to Abraham, because he had no greater to sweare by, he sware by himselfe,

Saying, Surely I wil aboundantly blesse thee and multiplie thee marueilously.

And so after that he had taried patiently, he enioyed the promise.

For men verely sweare by him that is greater then themselues, and an othe for confirmation is among them an ende of all strife.

So God, willing more aboundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise the stablenes of his counsell, bound himselfe by an othe,

That by two immutable things, wherein it is vnpossible that God should lye, we might haue strong consolation, which haue our refuge to lay holde vpon that hope that is set before vs,

Which hope we haue, as an ancre of the soule, both sure and stedfast, and it entreth into that which is within the vaile,

Whither the forerunner is for vs entred in, euen Iesus that is made an hie Priest for euer after the order of Melchi-sedec.

Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,

of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

This will we do, if God permits.

For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.

For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God;

but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this.

For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.

We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end,

that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.

God’s Unchangeable Promise

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,

saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”(a)

Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.

In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath,

that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil,

where as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Footnotes

(a)6:14 ℘ Genesis 22:17