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¹ So, listen up, cowboys. We've got to head out. We can't keep going talking about the basics over and over and over. You've got to get out of the round pen to become top hands. We can't get caught up again with the simple things like trusting God and staying away from sin. ² You've heard what we've said about getting baptized, hands-on praying, resurrection of the dead, and the eternal judgment that will come. If you ain't got it by now, you probably ain't going to, ³ but we're moving out.

⁴ There ain't nothing we can do for those who have ridden for God and then gone back to the ways of the world. ⁵ They've seen what God can do and they just don't want it. ⁶ These cowboys have turned their backs on God and his grace and mercy. You just can't fix these boys. They are nailing him to the cross once again with their treachery.

⁷ When a calf crop is a hundred percent, you keep all of 'em back. ⁸ But if a herd does nothing except eat and take all the good without giving anything back, the rancher will send 'em all to the sale.

⁹ Now, we ain't saying any of this applies to you. We think God has great things in store for you. We know it! ¹⁰ God ain't wishy-washy. He has seen you ride and how hard you've worked. You cared for the sick and tended the herd like you was supposed to. We know you are still riding the pastures as we speak. ¹¹ What we are hoping for is that you will continue on the trail marked out for you. ¹² If you do, you'll avoid the canyons that lead to indifference and thick-headedness. Instead, you'll follow the trail of those who have gone on before you. They've reached the end and have received the promises of God, just like you can. You just got to keep going and never give up or give in.

God's Promises Are Guaranteed

¹³ We ain't talking about fairy tales. Remember the promise God made to Abe? God made a promise on his own name (there is nothing greater to swear by), ¹⁴ saying, "I'm going to bless you and grow your herd bigger than any number."

¹⁵ All Abe had to do was wait on God and then get what he'd promised.

¹⁶ When people make a promise, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. A promise made like this can't be broken. ¹⁷ God made a promise on himself so that it would guarantee what he said was true. He ain't going to crawfish on his word. ¹⁸ God made an oath and a promise. These two things are guaranteed because God can't lie. Those of us who've fled to the shelter underneath him are guaranteed what he promised. ¹⁹ Our hope is strong and we now have an anchor in the storm. We have a back cinch to keep our saddle flat when the world yanks us around. This promise leads us through the pain and straight to him. ²⁰ Jesus has marked the trail and become the last trail guide that old Mel had started.