Wherefore let us also (seeing that we are compassed with so great a multitude of witnesses) lay away all that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth on us, and let us run with patience, unto the battle that is set before us, looking unto Iesus, the author and finisher of our faith, which for the joy that was set before him, abode the cross, and despised the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God. Consider therefore how that he endured such speaking against him of sinners, lest ye should be wearied and faint in your minds. For ye have not yet resisted unto bloodshedding, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the consolation which speaketh unto you, as unto children: My son despise not the chastening of the lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the lord loveth, him he chasteneth: yee, and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth.
If ye shall endure chastening, God offereth himself unto you, as unto sons. What son is that whom the father chasteneth not? If ye be not under correction (where of all are part takers) then are ye bastards and not sons. Moreover seeing we had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall not we much rather be in subjection unto the father of spiritual gifts that we might live? And they verily for a few days, nurtured us after their own pleasure: but he learneth us unto that which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness. No manner learning for the present time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them which are therein exercised.
Stretch forth therefore again the hands which were let down, and the weak knees, and see that ye have straight steps unto your feet, lest any halting turn out of the way: yee, let it rather be healed. Embrace peace with all men, and wholiness: without the which, no man shall see the lord. And see that no man be destitute of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up and trouble: and thereby many be defiled. That there be no fornicator, or unclean person, as Esau, which for one breakfast sold his right that belonged unto him, in that he was the eldest brother. Ye know how that afterward when that he would have inherited the blessing, he was put by. His repentance found no grace, no though he desired that blessing with tears.
For ye are not come unto the mount that is touched, and unto burning fire, nor yet to mist and darkness and tempest of weather, neither unto the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words: which voice they that heard it, wished away, that the communication should not be spoken to them. For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a beast had touched the mountain, it must have been stoned, or thrust thorow with a dart: even so terrible was the sight which appeared. Moses said I fear and quake. But ye are come unto the mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Ierusalem: and to an innumerable sight of angels, and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of Just and perfect men, and to Iesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood that speaketh better than the blood of Abel.
See that ye despise not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not which refused him that spake on earth: Much more shall we not escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth, and now declareth saying: yet once more will I shake, not the earth only, but also heaven. No doubt the same that he sayeth, yet once more, signifieth the removing a way of those things which are shaken, as of things which have ended their course: that the things which are not shaken may remain. Wherefore if we receive a kingdom which is not moved, we have grace, whereby we may serve God and please him with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
The .xiij. Chapter.
Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to be kind to strangers. For thereby have divers received angels into their houses unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, even as though ye were bound with them. Be mindful of them which are in adversity, as ye which are yet in your bodies. Let wedlock be had in price in all points, and let the chamber be undefiled: for whore keepers and advoutrers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. For he verily said: I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: that we may boldly say: The lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man doeth unto me. Remember them which have the oversight of you, which have declared unto you the word of God: consider the conversation of their living, and counterfeit their faith.
Iesus Christ yesterday and today, and the same continueth for ever. Be not carried thither with divers and strange learning. For it is a good thing that the heart be stablished with grace, and not with meats, which have not profited them that have had their pastime in them. We have an altar whereof they may not eat which serve in the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts (whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest to purge sin) are burnt without the tents. Therefore Iesus, to sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered with out the gate. Let us go forth therefore out of the tents, and suffer rebuke with him. For here have we no continuing city: but we seek a city to come.
For by him offer we the sacrifice of laud always to God: that is to say the fruit of those lips, which confess his name. To do good, and to distribute forget not, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey them that have the oversight of you, and submit yourselves to them, for they watch for your souls, even as they should give accounts for them: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief. For that is an unprofitable thing for you. Pray for us. We have confidence because we have a good conscience in all things, and desire to live honestly. I desire you therefore somewhat the more abundantly, that ye so do, that I may be restored to you quickly.
The God of peace that brought again from death our lord Iesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, thorow the blood of the everlasting testament, make you perfect in all works, to do his will, and bring to pass, that whatsoever ye do, may be accepted in his sight, by the means of Iesus Christ. To whom be praise for ever while the world endureth Amen.