Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.
1
It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense;
2
If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything,
3 how will we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation -- which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard;
3
do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation? First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him.
4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by various works of power, and by gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh, according to his own will?
4
All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as he saw fit.
5 For he didn't subject the world to come, whereof we speak, to angels.
5
God didn't put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we're dealing with here.
6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, "What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?
6
It says in Scripture, What is man and woman that you bother with them; why take a second look their way?
7 You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.
7
You made them not quite as high as angels, bright with Eden's dawn light;
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don't see all things subjected to him, yet.
8
Then you put them in charge of your entire handcrafted world.
9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Yeshua, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.
9
What we do see is Jesus, made "not quite as high as angels," and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory "bright with Eden's dawn light." In that death, by God's grace, he fully experienced death in every person's place.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
10
It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer perfect through suffering as he leads all these people to glory.
11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
11
Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn't hesitate to treat them as family,
12 saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers, In the midst of the congregation will I sing your praise."
12
Saying, I'll tell my good friends, my brothers and sisters, all I know about you; I'll join them in worship and praise to you.
13 Again, "I will put my trust in him." Again, "Behold, here am I and the children whom God has given me."
13
Again, he puts himself in the same family circle when he says, Even I live by placing my trust in God. And yet again, I'm here with the children God gave me.
14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
14
Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death
15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
15
and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.
16 For most assuredly, not to angels does he give help, but he gives help to the seed of Avraham.
16
It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham.
17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful Kohen Gadol in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
17
That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins,
18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
18
he would have already experienced it all himself - all the pain, all the testing - and would be able to help where help was needed.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.