1Therefore 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,[ † ]Hebrews 5:12Hebrews 9:14 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.[ † ]John 3:25Acts 19:3-5Acts 8:17Acts 17:31Acts 24:25 3And this we will do, if God permits.
4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,[ † ]John 4:10Ephesians 2:8Galatians 3:2-5Hebrews 2:4 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— 6and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.[ † ]Hebrews 10:29
7For 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.[ † ]Psalms 65:10 8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.[ † ]Isaiah 5:6
9Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10For 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.[ † ]Romans 3:41 Thessalonians 1:3Romans 15:25Hebrews 10:32-34
11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.[ † ]Colossians 2:2 12Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.[ † ]Hebrews 10:36
13When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,[ † ]Genesis 22:16-17Luke 1:73 14saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”[ † ]Genesis 22:16-17 15And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.[ † ]Genesis 12:4Genesis 21:5
16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.[ † ]Exodus 22:11 17So 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.[ † ]Romans 8:17Hebrews 11:9Romans 11:29 18Thus 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.[ † ]Numbers 23:191 Samuel 15:29Titus 1:2Colossians 1:5Hebrews 3:6Hebrews 7:19Hebrews 12:1
19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,[ † ]Leviticus 16:2-15Hebrews 9:3-7 20where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.[ † ]John 14:2Hebrews 4:14Genesis 14:17-19Psalms 110:4Hebrews 3:1Hebrews 5:10-11