The Danger of Falling Away
THEREFORE leaving behind the basic message of Christ, let us move on to maturity; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permits.
4 ¶ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and become partakers in the Holy Spirit,
5 And have tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the age to come,
6 And then fall away, to renew them again to repentance; seeing they, themselves crucify the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame.
7 For the earth which absorbs the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants suitable for use by those whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God:
8 But on the other hand, that which bears thorns and thistles is rejected, and is near to cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Be Diligent to the End
9 ¶ But, beloved, we have confidence in better things with regard to you, and in having salvation, though we speak in this way.
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love, which you have showed toward his name, in that you have helped the holy ones, and do continue to serve.
11 And we desire that each of you show the same diligence, for the purpose of developing complete certainty of the hope, even unto the end:
12 In order that you do not become lazy, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13 ¶ For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,
14 Saying; Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 ¶ For men on the one hand swear by the greater; and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all dispute.
17 On the other hand God, wanting to more abundantly show the heirs of the promise the unchanging nature of his purpose, guaranteed it by an oath:
18 That by these two unchangeable things, in which it is also impossible for God to lie; we possess strong encouragement, having taken refuge and holding onto the hope set before us:
19 Which we have as an anchor for our soul, both sure and stedfast, and which enters into within the veil;
20 Where the forerunner for us entered; Jesus after the order of Melchizedek, made high priest forever.