1. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

2. instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

3. And God permitting, we will do so.

4. It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

5. who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,

6. if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

7. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

8. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

9. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation.

10. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

11. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

12. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

13. When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no-one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,

14. saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."

15. And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.

17. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.

18. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

19. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

20. where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek.