Hebrews 6
1 Therefore
leaving behind the beginning teachings of Christ (that came through the
gifts and sacrifices of the law), let us move on to perfection (where
we rest looking to the faith of
Jesus Christ wherein we were once and for all time sanctified from death by
the blood of Christ, the lamb of God and not by washings, cleansings and
sacrifices from the blood of bulls and goats which could never make us
perfect unto immortality in our flesh), not laying again the foundation
of these offerings which (were only a shadow to keep us and teach us
until Christ, the substance, would come but which) had no power to purge
our conscience from (death and from performing those) dead
works and renew a heart filled with faith toward God (where we rested
from our own works),
2 (Moving on) from
the (beginning) teachings (and rituals) of washings (that
could not ever cleanse us from our dying flesh) and the laying on of
hands, and the of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment (which
things were only ever a shadow, but the substance was always pointing to the
faith that would come in Christ).
3 And this (looking unto the sacrifices and offerings contained in the law to cleanse ourselves) we will move on from, God willing (once we see what the law was truly speaking about and go to rest in Christ's sacrifice that sanctified us from death once and for all time).
4 Because it is impossible for those who (have seen the word that the law
was always speaking about was Christ, who has forever sanctified us from
death) having been once enlightened (by that word),
and have tasted of the gift of God from heaven, and saw they were offered
the same share in the gift of the Holy Spirit (and the life which He
brings);
6 If
they (who were once enlightened, reject His sacrifice and) turn aside
(from Christ but continue performing the dead works contained in
ceremonies and sacrifices of the law), (it is impossible for them to
find that those sacrifices are able) to renew their conscience (where
they rest and do no work); seeing as they crucify to themselves
continually the Son of God (considering
the blood He shed as common as the blood of bulls and goats, where they
disesteem) putting
Him (and the word which He has spoken) to public shame (and never
finding their conscience renewed where they rest from their own works with
their faith toward God).
7 For (just as) the earth which drinks in the
rain that often comes on it brings forth fruit fitting for them for whose
sake it was made and by whom it was also tilled, (so also do we)
receive the fruit of God’s life (when we are diligent with His word, to
hear and soak in that which has rained from heaven in Christ, settling it in
our heart):
8 But (just as) the land that (does not
receive the rain) produces thorns and briers is rejected (and barren
to them) and is near to (being under) a curse, and that land’s
end is only to be burned up (and consumed in the fire, so are the dead
works of those who refuse to rest in His good work).
9 However, beloved we are persuaded of better things
about you, and of all the things that accompany the salvation (wherein He
has rescued our lives from death and corruption, serving us with all the
fruit of His life unto immortality in our flesh, even though we have
spoken (frankly) in this manner.
10 Because God is not unjust to forget the works of
you (that were born) from (His) love (toward you),
which (work) you have shown toward His name (being diligent to
hear Him), whereby you have (continually) ministered (His love)
to the saints and do (still) minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you do show the
same diligence to (hear the faith that keeps you in) the full
assurance of hope (of His same life being formed in you) which
endures to the end:
12 That you would be not slothful (hearers), but followers of them
who through (the hearing of the faith) are fully persuaded, and (being
certain) do patiently wait for (resting in) the promise of His
life and immortality.
13 For when God made promise to Abraham (that he
would be the father of many nations), because He could swear by no one
greater, He swore by Himself,
14 Saying, surely blessing I will bless you (with
many descendants) and multiplying I will multiply you (and your
descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore).
15 And so, after he had patiently waited (believing
upon the One who had spoken to him), he obtained the promise.
16 For men do (always) swear by the greater:
and take an oath that establishes a guarantee (that creates confidence)
to them and brings an end to all (arguments and) contradictions.
17 Wherein God, desiring more abundantly to show the
heirs of the promise the (unalterable and) unchangeableness of His
purpose (and will), confirmed it by (swearing by Himself) an
oath:
18 That by two unchangeable things, in which it was
impossible for God to lie, (so that in this) we might have strong
comfort (and confidence), (we) who have (all our days)
fled (looking) for refuge (and help) to lay hold upon the (certainty
of the) hope (that is now) set before us:
19 Which hope we now have (in Christ) as an
anchor of the soul, which contains both a certainty and unchangeability, and
which (gives the confidence to) enter into (His rest) which is
behind the veil;
