1. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the rudiments concerning Christ, let us move along to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

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

3. And this we will do if God permits.

4. For it is impossible for those who at one time were given understanding, and have tasted the Heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5. and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6. and also turn aside, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and expose Him to public disgrace.

7. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;

8. but if it bears thorns and briars, it is unfit and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned up.

9. But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, indeed, holding fast to salvation, though we speak in this manner.

10. For God is not unjust, to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end,

12. that you do not become slothful, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,

14. saying, Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.

15. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

17. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, pledged it by an oath,

18. that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

19. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters in within the veil,

20. where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.