Study Desk

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence^(ac) to enter the Most Holy Place^(ad) by the blood of Jesus,

by a new and living way^(ae) opened for us through the curtain,^(af) that is, his body,

and since we have a great priest^(ag) over the house of God,^(ah)

let us draw near to God^(ai) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,^(aj) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience^(ak) and having our bodies washed with pure water.^(al)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope^(am) we profess,^(an) for he who promised is faithful.^(ao)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,^(ap)

not giving up meeting together,^(aq) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another^(ar)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.^(as)

If we deliberately keep on sinning^(at) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,^(au) no sacrifice for sins is left,

but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire^(av) that will consume the enemies of God.

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^(aw)

How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God^(ax) underfoot,^(ay) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant^(az) that sanctified them,^(ba) and who has insulted the Spirit^(bb) of grace?^(bc)

For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"^[d](bd) and again, "The Lord will judge his people."^[e](be)

It is a dreadful thing^(bf) to fall into the hands^(bg) of the living God.^(bh)

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,^(bi) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.^(bj)

Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;^(bk) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.^(bl)

You suffered along with those in prison^(bm) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.^(bn)

So do not throw away your confidence;^(bo) it will be richly rewarded.

You need to persevere^(bp) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.^(bq)

For, "In just a little while, he who is coming^(br) will come and will not delay."^[f](bs)

And, "But my righteous^[g] one will live by faith.^(bt) And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back."^[h](bu)

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.