Chapter 6

Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching concerning Christ, let us pass on to things more perfect, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God,

of the doctrine of baptisms and the laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment.

And this we will do, if God permits. Danger of Apostasy

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, who have both tasted the heavenly gift and become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

who have moreover tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come,

and then have fallen away, to be renewed again to repentance; since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and make him a mockery.

For the earth that drinks in the rain that often falls upon it, and produces vegetation that is of use to those by whom it is tilled, receives a blessing from God;

but that which brings forth thorns and thistles is worthless, and is nigh unto a curse, and its end is to be burnt. Expectation of Better Things

But in your case, beloved, we are confident of better things, things that promise salvation, even though we speak thus.

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

But we want every one of you to show to the very end the same earnestness for the fulfillment of your hopes;

so that you may become not sluggish but imitators of those who by faith and patience will inherit the promises. Certainty of God's Promise

For when God made his promise to Abraham, since he had no greater to swear by, he swore by himself,

saying, "I will surely bless thee, and I will surely multiply thee."

And thus after patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.

For men swear by one greater than themselves, and an oath given as a guarantee is the final settlement of all their disagreement.

Hence God, meaning to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his will, interposed an oath,

that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to deceive, we may have the strongest comfort---we who have sought refuge in holding fast the hope set before us.

This hope we have, as a sure and firm anchor of the soul, reaching even behind the veil

where our forerunner Jesus has entered for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech.