1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. |
2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, |
3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. |
4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. |
5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. |
6 But there is a place where someone has testified:
"What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
|
7 You made him a little1 2:7 Or him for a little while; also in verse 9 lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
|
8 and put everything under his feet."2
2:8 Psalm 8:4-6 In putting everything under him, God left nothing that
is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. |
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the
grace of God he might taste death for everyone. |
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. |
11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. |
12 He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."3 2:12 Psalm 22:22 |
13 And again,
"I will put my trust in him."4 2:13 Isaiah 8:17 And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."5 2:13 Isaiah 8:18 |
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- |
15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. |
16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. |
17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for6 2:17 Or and that he might turn aside God's wrath, taking away the sins of the people. |
18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. |
