the Fourth Week of Advent
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Hebrews 2
Give Heed
1 (F1)For this reason that is, because of God's final revelation in His Son Jesus and because of Jesus' superiority to the angels we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that (C1)we do not in any way drift away from truth.2 For if the message (C1)given (F1)through (C2)angels the Law given to Moses was authentic and unalterable, and (C3)every violation and disobedient act received an appropriate (C4)penalty,3 (C1)how will we escape the penalty if we ignore such a great (C2)salvation the gospel, the new covenant? For it was (C3)spoken at first by the Lord, and it was (C4)confirmed to us and proved authentic by those who personally heard Him speak,4 and besides this evidence God also testifying with them confirming the message of salvation, both by (C1)signs and wonders and by (C2)various miracles carried out by Jesus and the apostles and by granting to believers the (C3)gifts of the Holy Spirit (C4)according to His own will.
Earth Subject to Man
5 It was not to angels that God subjected (C1)the inhabited world of the future when Christ reigns, about which we are speaking.6 But one has solemnly testified (C1)somewhere in Scripture, saying,
"(C2)WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM,
OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU GRACIOUSLY CARE FOR HIM?
7 "(C1)YOU HAVE MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER in status THAN THE ANGELS;
YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR,
(F1)AND SET HIM OVER THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;
8 (C1)YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET confirming his supremacy."
Now in putting all things in subjection to man, He left nothing outside his control. But at present (C2)we do not yet see all things subjected to him. (VR1)
Jesus Briefly Humbled
9 But we do see Jesus, who was (C1)made lower than the angels for a little while by taking on the limitations of humanity, (C2)crowned with glory and honor (C3)because of His suffering of death, so that (C4)by the grace of God extended to sinners He might (C5)experience death (C6)for the sins of everyone.10 For (C1)it was fitting for God that is, an act worthy of His divine nature that He, (C2)for whose sake are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the (F1)(C3)author and founder of their salvation (C4)perfect through suffering bringing to maturity the human experience necessary for Him to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest.11 Both Jesus who (C1)sanctifies and those who (C2)are sanctified that is, spiritually transformed, made holy, and set apart for God's purpose are all (C3)from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them (F1)(C4)brothers and sisters,12 saying,
"(C1)I WILL DECLARE YOUR (the Father's) NAME TO MY BRETHREN (believers),
IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE." (VR1)
"(C1)MY TRUST and CONFIDENT HOPE WILL BE PLACED IN HIM."
And again,
"(C2)HERE I AM, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME." (VR1)
14 Therefore, since these His children share in (C1)flesh and blood the physical nature of mankind, (C2)He Himself in a similar manner also shared in the same physical nature, but without sin, so that (C3)through experiencing death He might make powerless (ineffective, impotent) (C4)him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and that He might free all those who through the haunting (C1)fear of death were held in slavery throughout their lives.16 For, as we all know, He (Christ) does not take hold of the fallen angels to give them a helping hand, but He does take hold of the fallen descendants of Abraham extending to them His hand of deliverance. (VR1)17 Therefore, it was essential that He had (C1)to be made like His brothers (mankind) in every respect, so that He might by experience (C2)become a merciful and faithful (C3)High Priest in (C4)things related to God, to (C5)make atonement (propitiation) for the people's sins thereby wiping away the sin, satisfying divine justice, and providing a way of reconciliation between God and mankind.18 Because He Himself in His humanity has suffered in being (C1)tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.
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