Hebrews 6

1Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect: not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works and of faith towards God,

1For this reason let us go on from the first things about Christ to full growth; not building again that on which it is based, that is, the turning of the heart from dead works, and faith in God,

2Of the doctrine of baptisms and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

2The teaching of baptisms, and of the putting on of hands, and of the future life of the dead, and of the judging on the last day.

3And this will we do, if God permit.

3Now we will do this, if God lets us.

4For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

4As for those who at one time saw the light, tasting the good things from heaven, and having their part in the Holy Spirit,

5Have moreover tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come,

5With knowledge of the good word of God, and of the powers of the coming time,

6And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God and making him a mockery.

6And then let themselves be turned away, it is not possible for their hearts to be made new a second time; because they themselves put the Son of God on the cross again, openly shaming him.

7For the earth, that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God.

7For a land, drinking in the frequent rain and producing good plants for those for whom it is worked, has a blessing from God:

8But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers is reprobate and very near unto a curse: whose end is to be burnt.

8But if it sends up thorns and evil plants, it is of no use and is ready to be cursed; its only end is to be burned.

9But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus.

9But, my loved ones, though we say this, we are certain that you have better things in you, things which go with salvation;

10For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered and do minister to the saints.

10For God is true, and will not put away from him the memory of your work and of your love for his name, in the help which you gave and still give to the saints.

11And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end:

11And it is our desire that you may all keep the same high purpose in certain hope to the end:

12That you become not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.

12So that you may not be slow in heart, but may take as your example those to whom God has given their heritage, because of their faith and their long waiting.

13For God making promises to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself,

13For when God made his oath to Abraham, because there was no greater oath, he made it by himself,

14Saying: Unless blessing I shall bless thee and multiplying I shall multiply thee.

14Saying, Be certain that I will give you my blessing, and make your numbers very great.

15And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise.

15And so, when he had been waiting calmly for a long time, God's word to him was put into effect.

16For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy.

16For men at all times make their oaths by what is greater; and any argument is ended by the decision of the oath.

17Wherein God, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath:

17So that when it was God's desire to make it specially clear to those who by his word were to have the heritage, that his purpose was fixed, he made it more certain with an oath;

18That by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, we who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us.

18So that we, who have gone in flight from danger to the hope which has been put before us, may have a strong comfort in two unchanging things, in which it is not possible for God to be false;

19Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil:

19And this hope is like a strong band for our souls, fixed and certain, and going in to that which is inside the veil;

20Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

20Where Jesus has gone before us, as a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.