CHAPTER 6
Therefore
let us leave
the
elementary
teachings
about Christ
and go on
to
maturity,
not
laying
again
the foundation
of repentance
from
dead
works,
and
of faith
in
God,
instruction
about baptisms,
the laying on
of hands,
the resurrection
of the dead,
and
eternal
judgment.
It is impossible
for those who
have once been enlightened,
who have tasted
the
heavenly
gift,
who have shared
in the Holy
Spirit,
and then
have fallen away—
to be restored
again
to
repentance,
because they themselves are crucifying
the
Son
of God all over again
and
subjecting Him to open shame.
Land
that drinks in
the
rain
often
falling
on
it
and
that produces
a crop
useful
to those
for
whom
it is tended
receives
the blessing
of
God.
But
land that produces
thorns
and
thistles
is worthless,
and
its curse
is imminent.
In
the
end
it will be burned.
Even
though
we speak
like this,
beloved,
we are convinced
of
better things
in
your case—
things that accompany
salvation.
God
is not
unjust.
He will not forget
your
work
and
the
love
you have shown
for
His
name
as you have ministered
to the
saints
and
continue to do so.
We want
each
of you
to show
the
same
diligence
to
the very end,
so that
your
hope
may be fully assured.
Then
you will not be sluggish,
but
will imitate
those who
through
faith
and
patience
inherit
what has been promised.
When
God
made His promise
to Abraham,
since
He had
no one
greater
to swear
by,
He swore
by
Himself,
Men
swear
by
someone
greater than themselves,
and
their
oath
serves as
a confirmation
to end
all
argument.
So when
God
wanted
to make
the
unchanging nature
of
His
purpose
very clear
to the
heirs
of the
promise,
He guaranteed it
with an oath.
Thus
by
two
unchangeable
things
in
which
it is impossible
for God
to lie,
we who have fled
to take hold
of the
hope
set before us
may be
strongly
encouraged.
We have
this hope
as
an anchor
for the
soul,
firm
and
steadfast.
It enters
the
inner sanctuary
behind the
curtain,
where
Jesus
our forerunner
has entered
on our behalf.
He has become
a high priest
forever
in
the
order
of Melchizedek.