Hebrews 2

1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them.

1So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we might drift away from it.

2For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

2For if the message spoken by angels was reliable, and every time people broke the law or disobeyed they received a fair punishment,

3how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;

3how will we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord himself and was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

4God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.

4God also backed up their message by giving signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.

5For not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak.

5And it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about.

6But one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

6For in one place someone testified, 'What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or the son of man that you should care for him?'

7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:

7'You made them a little lower than the angels for a short time; you crowned them with glory and honor and put them in charge of everything you made.'

8Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him.

8'You put all things under their authority.' Now, when God says 'all things,' he means nothing is left out. However, we do not yet see everything under their authority.

9But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.

9But we do see Jesus—who for a little while was made lower than the angels—now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. By God's grace, he experienced death for everyone.

10For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

10It was only right that God, who made everything and for whom everything exists, should make Jesus a perfect leader through suffering. This was the way to bring many children into his glory.

11For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

11So Jesus, who makes people holy, and those who are made holy, all have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.

12saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.

12For he says, 'I will tell my brothers and sisters about you; I will praise you in the middle of the assembly.'

13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me.

13He also says, 'I will put my trust in God.' And again, 'Here I am, together with the children God has given me.'

14Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

14Because God’s children are human beings made of flesh and blood, Jesus also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.

15and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

15Only in this way could he set free those who have lived their whole lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.

16We all know that he does not come to help angels; rather, he comes to help the descendants of Abraham.

17Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

17Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way. Then he could be a merciful and faithful High Priest before God, so that he could take away the sins of the people.

18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

18Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.