Hebrews Chapter 10
King James Version (KJV)
Other Translations
asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM
1
for he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.
2
Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need
3
was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?
4
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
5
For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar.
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For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests.
7
And
8
what we say is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest,
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who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life:
10
for it is witnessed
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of him,
12
Thou art a priest for ever
13
After the order of Melchizedek.
14
For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness
15
(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.
16
And inasmuch as
17
it is not without the taking of an oath
18
(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him,
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The Lord sware and will not repent himself,
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Thou art a priest for ever);
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by so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant.
22
And they indeed have been made priests many in number, because that by death they are hindered from continuing:
23
but he, because he abideth for ever, hath his priesthood unchangeable.
24
Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
25
For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
26
who needeth not daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the
27
sins of the people: for this he did once for all, when he offered up himself.
28
For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law,
29
appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.
30
Now in the things which we are saying the chief point
31
is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
32
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
33
For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this
34
high priest also have somewhat to offer.
35
Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law;
36
who serve
37
that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned
38
of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount.
39
But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
For the law, having a shadow of the coming good things, not the image itself of the things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually yearly, perfect those who approach.
2
Since, would they not indeed have ceased being offered, on account of the worshippers once purged having no longer any conscience of sins?
3
But in these [there is] a calling to mind of sins yearly.
4
For blood of bulls and goats [is] incapable of taking away sins.
5
Wherefore coming into the world he says, Sacrifice and offering thou willedst not; but thou hast prepared me a body.
6
Thou tookest no pleasure in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin.
7
Then I said, Lo, I come (in [the] roll of the book it is written of me) to do, OGod, thy will.
8
Above, saying Sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou willedst not, neither tookest pleasure in (which are offered according to the law);
9
then he said, Lo, I come to do thy will. He takes away the first that he may establish the second;
10
by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11
And every priest stands daily ministering, and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12
But he, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down in perpetuity at [the] right hand ofGod,
13
waiting from henceforth until his enemies be set [for the] footstool of his feet.
14
For by one offering he has perfected in perpetuity the sanctified.
15
And the Holy Spirit also bears us witness [of it]; for after what was said:
16
This [is] the covenant which I will establish towards them after those days, saith [the] Lord: Giving my laws into their hearts, I will write them also in their understandings;
17
and their sins and their lawlessnesses I will never remember any more.
18
But where there [is] remission of these, [there is] no longer a sacrifice for sin.
19
Having therefore, brethren, boldness for entering into the [holy of] holies by the blood of Jesus,
20
the new and living way which he has dedicated for us through the veil, that is, his flesh,
21
and [having] a great priest over the house ofGod,
22
let us approach with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, sprinkled as to our hearts from a wicked conscience, and washed as to our body with pure water.
23
Let us hold fast the confession of the hope unwavering, (for he [is] faithful who has promised;)
24
and let us consider one another for provoking to love and good works;
25
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom [is] with some; but encouraging [one another], and by so much the more as ye see the day drawing near.
26
For where we sin wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains any sacrifice for sins,
27
but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and heat of fire about to devour the adversaries.
28
Any one that has disregarded Moses' law dies without mercy on [the testimony of] two or three witnesses:
29
of how much worse punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy who has trodden under foot the Son ofGod, and esteemed the blood of the covenant, whereby he has been sanctified, common, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30
For we know him that said, To me [belongs] vengeance; I will recompense, saith the Lord: and again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31
[It is] a fearful thing falling into [the] hands of [the] livingGod.
32
But call to mind the earlier days in which, having been enlightened, ye endured much conflict of sufferings;
33
on the one hand, when ye were made a spectacle both in reproaches and afflictions; and on the other, when ye became partakers with those who were passing through them.
34
For ye both sympathised with prisoners and accepted with joy the plunder of your goods, knowing that ye have for yourselves a better substance, and an abiding one.
35
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense.
36
For ye have need of endurance in order that, having done the will ofGod, ye may receive the promise.
37
For yet a very little while he that comes will come, and will not delay.
38
But the just shall live by faith; and, if he draw back, my soul does not take pleasure in him.
39
But we are not drawers back to perdition, but of faith to saving [the] soul.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Umbram enim habens lex futurorum bonorum, non ipsam imaginem rerum: per singulos annos eisdem ipsis hostiis, quas offerunt indesinenter, numquam potest accedentes perfectos facere:
2
alioquin cessassent offerri: ideo quod nullam haberent ultra conscientiam peccati, cultores semel mundati:
3
sed in ipsis commemoratio peccatorum per singulos annos fit.
4
impossibile enim est sanguine taurorum et hircorum auferri peccata.
5
Ideo ingrediens mundum dicit: Hostiam, et oblationem noluisti: corpus autem aptasti mihi:
6
holocautomata pro peccato non tibi placuerunt.
7
Tunc dixi: Ecce venio: in capite libri scriptum est de me: Ut faciam, Deus, voluntatem tuam.
8
Superius dicens: Quia hostias, et oblationes, et holocautomata pro peccato noluisti, nec placita sunt tibi, quæ secundum legem offeruntur,
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tunc dixi: Ecce venio, ut faciam, Deus, voluntatem tuam: aufert primum, ut sequens statuat.
10
In qua voluntate sanctificati sumus per oblationem corporis Iesu Christi semel.
11
Et omnis quidem sacerdos præsto est quotidie ministrans, et easdem sæpe offerens hostias, quæ numquam possunt auferre peccata:
12
hic autem unam pro peccatis offerens hostiam, in sempiternum sedet in dextera Dei,
13
de cetero expectans donec ponantur inimici eius scabellum pedum eius.
14
Una enim oblatione, consummavit in sempiternum sanctificatos.
15
Contestatur autem nos et Spiritus sanctus. Postquam enim dixit:
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Hoc autem testamentum, quod testabor ad illos post dies illos, dicit Dominus, Dando leges meas in cordibus eorum, et in mentibus eorum superscribam eas:
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et peccatorum, et iniquitatum eorum iam non recordabor amplius.
18
Ubi autem horum remissio: iam non est oblatio pro peccato.
19
Habentes itaque fratres fiduciam in introitu sanctorum in sanguine Christi,
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quam initiavit nobis viam novam, et viventem per velamen, id est, carnem suam,
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et sacerdotem magnum super domum Dei:
22
accedamus cum vero corde in plenitudine fidei, aspersi corda a conscientia mala, et abluti corpus aqua munda,
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teneamus spei nostræ confessionem indeclinabilem, (fidelis enim est qui repromisit),
24
et consideremus invicem in provocationem charitatis, et bonorum operum:
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non deserentes collectionem nostram, sicut consuetudinis est quibusdam, sed consolantes, et tanto magis quanto videritis appropinquantem diem.
26
Voluntarie enim peccantibus nobis post acceptam notitiam veritatis, iam non relinquitur pro peccatis hostia,
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terribilis autem quædam expectatio iudicii, et ignis æmulatio, quæ consumptura est adversarios.
28
Irritam quis faciens legem Moysi, sine ulla miseratione duobus vel tribus testibus moritur:
29
quanto magis putatis deteriora mereri supplicia qui filium Dei conculcaverit, et sanguinem testamenti pollutum duxerit, in quo sanctificatus est, et spiritui gratiæ contumeliam fecerit?
30
Scimus enim qui dixit: Mihi vindicta, et ego retribuam. Et iterum: Quia iudicabit Dominus populum suum.
31
Horrendum est incidere in manus Dei viventis.
32
Rememoramini autem pristinos dies, in quibus illuminati, magnum certamen sustinuistis passionum:
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et in altero quidem opprobriis, et tribulationibus spectaculum facti: in altero autem socii taliter conversantium effecti.
34
Nam et vinctis compassi estis, et rapinam bonorum vestrorum cum gaudio suscepistis, cognoscentes vos habere meliorem, et manentem substantiam.
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Nolite itaque amittere confidentiam vestram, quæ magnam habet remunerationem.
36
Patientia enim vobis necessaria est: ut voluntatem Dei facientes, reportetis promissionem.
37
Adhuc enim modicum aliquantulum, qui venturus est, veniet, et non tardabit.
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iustus autem meus ex fide vivit. quod si subtraxerit se, non placebit animæ meæ.
39
Nos autem non sumus subtractionis filii in perditionem, sed fidei in acquisitionem animæ.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.
2
Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins?
3
But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins.
4
For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
5
Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “You didn’t desire sacrifice and offering, but you prepared a body for me.
6
You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
7
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’”
8
Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law),
9
then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second,
10
by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11
Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,
12
but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God,
13
from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.
14
For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
16
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,” says the Lord, “I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;” then he says,
17
“I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.”
18
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19
Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
20
by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
21
and having a great priest over God’s house,
22
let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water,
23
let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
24
Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
25
not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
26
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,
27
but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.
28
A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.
29
How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30
For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32
But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
33
partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions, and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.
34
For you both had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.
35
Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.
36
For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
37
“In a very little while, he who comes will come and will not wait.
38
But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
39
But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
wh1881 (wh1881) - Westcott-Hort Greek NT 1881 eBible USFM
1
σκιαν γαρ εχων ο νομος των μελλοντων αγαθων ουκ αυτην την εικονα των πραγματων κατ ενιαυτον ταις αυταις θυσιαις ας προσφερουσιν εις το διηνεκες ουδεποτε δυνανται τους προσερχομενους τελειωσαι
2
επει ουκ αν επαυσαντο προσφερομεναι δια το μηδεμιαν εχειν ετι συνειδησιν αμαρτιων τους λατρευοντας απαξ κεκαθαρισμενους
3
αλλ εν αυταις αναμνησις αμαρτιων κατ ενιαυτον
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αδυνατον γαρ αιμα ταυρων και τραγων αφαιρειν αμαρτιας
5
διο εισερχομενος εις τον κοσμον λεγει θυσιαν και προσφοραν ουκ ηθελησας σωμα δε κατηρτισω μοι
6
ολοκαυτωματα και περι αμαρτιας ουκ ευδοκησας
7
τοτε ειπον ιδου ηκω εν κεφαλιδι βιβλιου γεγραπται περι εμου του ποιησαι ο θεος το θελημα σου
8
ανωτερον λεγων οτι θυσιας και προσφορας και ολοκαυτωματα και περι αμαρτιας ουκ ηθελησας ουδε ευδοκησας αιτινες κατα νομον προσφερονται
9
τοτε ειρηκεν ιδου ηκω του ποιησαι το θελημα σου αναιρει το πρωτον ινα το δευτερον στηση
10
εν ω θεληματι ηγιασμενοι εσμεν δια της προσφορας του σωματος ιησου χριστου εφαπαξ
11
και πας μεν ιερευς εστηκεν καθ ημεραν λειτουργων και τας αυτας πολλακις προσφερων θυσιας αιτινες ουδεποτε δυνανται περιελειν αμαρτιας
12
ουτος δε μιαν υπερ αμαρτιων προσενεγκας θυσιαν εις το διηνεκες εκαθισεν εν δεξια του θεου
13
το λοιπον εκδεχομενος εως τεθωσιν οι εχθροι αυτου υποποδιον των ποδων αυτου
14
μια γαρ προσφορα τετελειωκεν εις το διηνεκες τους αγιαζομενους
15
μαρτυρει δε ημιν και το πνευμα το αγιον μετα γαρ το ειρηκεναι
16
αυτη η διαθηκη ην διαθησομαι προς αυτους μετα τας ημερας εκεινας λεγει κυριος διδους νομους μου επι καρδιας αυτων και επι την διανοιαν αυτων επιγραψω αυτους
17
και των αμαρτιων αυτων και των ανομιων αυτων ου μη μνησθησομαι ετι
18
οπου δε αφεσις τουτων ουκετι προσφορα περι αμαρτιας
19
εχοντες ουν αδελφοι παρρησιαν εις την εισοδον των αγιων εν τω αιματι ιησου
20
ην ενεκαινισεν ημιν οδον προσφατον και ζωσαν δια του καταπετασματος τουτ εστιν της σαρκος αυτου
21
και ιερεα μεγαν επι τον οικον του θεου
22
προσερχωμεθα μετα αληθινης καρδιας εν πληροφορια πιστεως ρεραντισμενοι τας καρδιας απο συνειδησεως πονηρας και λελουσμενοι το σωμα υδατι καθαρω
23
κατεχωμεν την ομολογιαν της ελπιδος ακλινη πιστος γαρ ο επαγγειλαμενος
24
και κατανοωμεν αλληλους εις παροξυσμον αγαπης και καλων εργων
25
μη εγκαταλειποντες την επισυναγωγην εαυτων καθως εθος τισιν αλλα παρακαλουντες και τοσουτω μαλλον οσω βλεπετε εγγιζουσαν την ημεραν
26
εκουσιως γαρ αμαρτανοντων ημων μετα το λαβειν την επιγνωσιν της αληθειας ουκετι περι αμαρτιων απολειπεται θυσια
27
φοβερα δε τις εκδοχη κρισεως και πυρος ζηλος εσθιειν μελλοντος τους υπεναντιους
28
αθετησας τις νομον μωυσεως χωρις οικτιρμων επι δυσιν η τρισιν μαρτυσιν αποθνησκει
29
ποσω δοκειτε χειρονος αξιωθησεται τιμωριας ο τον υιον του θεου καταπατησας και το αιμα της διαθηκης κοινον ηγησαμενος εν ω ηγιασθη και το πνευμα της χαριτος ενυβρισας
30
οιδαμεν γαρ τον ειποντα εμοι εκδικησις εγω ανταποδωσω και παλιν κρινει κυριος τον λαον αυτου
31
φοβερον το εμπεσειν εις χειρας θεου ζωντος
32
αναμιμνησκεσθε δε τας προτερον ημερας εν αις φωτισθεντες πολλην αθλησιν υπεμεινατε παθηματων
33
τουτο μεν ονειδισμοις τε και θλιψεσιν θεατριζομενοι τουτο δε κοινωνοι των ουτως αναστρεφομενων γενηθεντες
34
και γαρ τοις δεσμιοις συνεπαθησατε και την αρπαγην των υπαρχοντων υμων μετα χαρας προσεδεξασθε γινωσκοντες εχειν εαυτους κρεισσονα υπαρξιν και μενουσαν
35
μη αποβαλητε ουν την παρρησιαν υμων ητις εχει μεγαλην μισθαποδοσιαν
36
υπομονης γαρ εχετε χρειαν ινα το θελημα του θεου ποιησαντες κομισησθε την επαγγελιαν
37
ετι γαρ μικρον οσον οσον ο ερχομενος ηξει και ου χρονισει
38
ο δε δικαιος [μου] εκ πιστεως ζησεται και εαν υποστειληται ουκ ευδοκει η ψυχη μου εν αυτω
39
ημεις δε ουκ εσμεν υποστολης εις απωλειαν αλλα πιστεως εις περιποιησιν ψυχης
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
For the law having a shadow of the coming good things--not the very image of the matters, every year, by the same sacrifices that they offer continually, is never able to make perfect those coming near,
2
since, would they not have ceased to be offered, because of those serving having no more conscience of sins, having once been purified?
3
but in those <FI>sacrifices<Fi> is a remembrance of sins every year,
4
for it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5
Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, `Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not will, and a body Thou didst prepare for me,
6
in burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offerings, Thou didst not delight,
7
then I said, Lo, I come, (in a volume of the book it hath been written concerning me,) to do, O God, Thy will;'
8
saying above--`Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and concerning sin-offering Thou didst not will, nor delight in,' --which according to the law are offered--
9
then he said, `Lo, I come to do, O God, Thy will;' he doth take away the first that the second he may establish;
10
in the which will we are having been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once,
11
and every priest, indeed, hath stood daily serving, and the same sacrifices many times offering, that are never able to take away sins.
12
And He, for sin one sacrifice having offered--to the end, did sit down on the right hand of God, --
13
as to the rest, expecting till He may place his enemies <FI>as<Fi> his footstool,
14
for by one offering he hath perfected to the end those sanctified;
15
and testify to us also doth the Holy Spirit, for after that He hath said before,
16
`This <FI>is<Fi> the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, giving My laws on their hearts, and upon their minds I will write them,'
17
and `their sins and their lawlessness I will remember no more;'
18
and where forgiveness of these <FI>is<Fi> , there is no more offering for sin.
19
Having, therefore, brethren, boldness for the entrance into the holy places, in the blood of Jesus,
20
which way he did initiate for us--new and living, through the vail, that is, his flesh--
21
and a high priest over the house of God,
22
may we draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having the hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having the body bathed with pure water;
23
may we hold fast the unwavering profession of the hope, (for faithful <FI>is<Fi> He who did promise),
24
and may we consider one another to provoke to love and to good works,
25
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain <FI>is<Fi> , but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day coming nigh.
26
For we--wilfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth--no more for sins doth there remain a sacrifice,
27
but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery zeal, about to devour the opposers;
28
any one who did set at nought a law of Moses, apart from mercies, by two or three witnesses, doth die,
29
of how much sorer punishment shall he be counted worthy who the Son of God did trample on, and the blood of the covenant did count a common thing, in which he was sanctified, and to the Spirit of the grace did despite?
30
for we have known Him who is saying, `Vengeance <FI>is<Fi> Mine, I will recompense, saith the Lord;' and again, `The Lord shall judge His people;' --
31
fearful <FI>is<Fi> the falling into the hands of a living God.
32
And call to your remembrance the former days, in which, having been enlightened, ye did endure much conflict of sufferings,
33
partly both with reproaches and tribulations being made spectacles, and partly having become partners of those so living,
34
for also with my bonds ye sympathised, and the robbery of your goods with joy ye did receive, knowing that ye have in yourselves a better substance in the heavens, and an enduring one.
35
Ye may not cast away, then, your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward,
36
for of patience ye have need, that the will of God having done, ye may receive the promise,
37
for yet a very very little, He who is coming will come, and will not tarry;
38
and `the righteous by faith shall live,' and `if he may draw back, My soul hath no pleasure in him,'
39
and we are not of those drawing back to destruction, but of those believing to a preserving of soul.
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).