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A Call to Maturity

Verse1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,

Verse2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Verse3And this we will do, if God permits.

Verse4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

Verse5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—

Verse6and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.

Verse7For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.

Verse8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.

Verse9Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.

Verse10For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

Verse11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

Verse12Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

God’s Unchangeable Promise

Verse13When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,

Verse14saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”

Verse15And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.

Verse16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.

Verse17So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.

Verse18Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

Verse19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Verse20where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.