Young's Literal Translation YLT
The Message Bible MSG
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,
1
So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on "salvation by self-help" and turning in trust toward 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,
2
baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment.
3 and this we will do, if God may permit,
3
God helping us, we'll stay true to all that. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it!
4 for [it is] impossible for those once enlightened, having tasted also of the heavenly gift, and partakers having became of the Holy Spirit,
4
Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit,
5 and did taste the good saying of God, the powers also of the coming age,
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once they've personally experienced the sheer goodness of God's Word and the powers breaking in on us -
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.
6
if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can't start over as if nothing happened. That's impossible. Why, they've re-crucified Jesus! They've repudiated him in public!
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,
7
Parched ground that soaks up the rain and then produces an abundance of carrots and corn for its gardener gets God's "Well done!"
8 and that which is bearing thorns and briers [is] disapproved of, and nigh to cursing, whose end [is] for burning;
8
But if it produces weeds and thistles, it's more likely to get cussed out. Fields like that are burned, not harvested.
9 and we are persuaded, concerning you, beloved, the things that are better, and accompanying salvation, though even thus we speak,
9
I'm sure that won't happen to you, friends. I have better things in mind for you - salvation things!
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;
10
God doesn't miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you've shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it.
11 and we desire each one of you the same diligence to shew, unto the full assurance of the hope unto the end,
11
And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish.
12 that ye may not become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patient endurance are inheriting the promises.
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Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.
13 For to Abraham God, having made promise, seeing He was able to swear by no greater, did swear by Himself,
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When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line.
14 saying, `Blessing indeed I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee;'
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He said, "I promise that I'll bless you with everything I have - bless and bless and bless!"
15 and so, having patiently endured, he did obtain the promise;
15
Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him.
16 for men indeed do swear by the greater, and an end of all controversy to them for confirmation [is] the oath,
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When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up.
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,
17
When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee -
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],
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God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.
19 which we have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and entering into that within the vail,
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It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God
20 whither a forerunner for us did enter -- Jesus, after the order of Melchisedek chief priest having become -- to the age.
20
where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.