A Call to Maturity

1Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us go on [to what belongs] to full growth, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, 2of [the] doctrine of washings, and of imposition of hands, and of resurrection of [the] dead, and of eternal judgment; 3and this will we do if God permit. 4For it is impossible to renew again to repentance those once enlightened, and who have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of [the] Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the good word of God, and [the] works of power of [the] age to come, 6and have fallen away, crucifying for themselves [as they do] the Son of God, and making a show of [him]. 7For ground which drinks the rain which comes often upon it, and produces useful herbs for those for whose sakes also it is tilled, partakes of blessing from God; 8but bringing forth thorns and briars, it is found worthless and nigh to a curse, whose end [is] to be burned.

9But we are persuaded concerning you, beloved, better things, and connected with salvation, even if we speak thus. 10For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye have shewn to his name, having ministered to the saints, and [still] ministering. 11But we desire earnestly that each one of you shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end; 12that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience have been inheritors of the promises.

God's Promise is Certain

13For God, having promised to Abraham, since he had no greater to swear by, swore by himself, 14saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee; 15and thus, having had long patience, he got the promise. 16For men indeed swear by a greater, and with them the oath is a term to all dispute, as making matters sure. 17Wherein God, willing to shew more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, intervened by an oath, 18that by two unchangeable things, in which [it was] impossible that God should lie, we might have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us, 19which we have as anchor of the soul, both secure and firm, and entering into that within the veil, 20where Jesus is entered as forerunner for us, become for ever a high priest according to the order of Melchisedec.