Hebrews
2
- We must pay more careful attention, therefore,
to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
- For if the message spoken by angels was
binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,
- how shall we escape if we ignore such a
great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was
confirmed to us by those who heard him.
- God also testified to it by signs, wonders
and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to
his will.
- It is not to angels that he has subjected
the world to come, about which we are speaking.
- But there is a place where someone has testified:
"What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care
for him ?
- You made him a little lower than the angels;
you crowned him with glory and honor
- and put everything under his feet."
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him.
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.
- But we see Jesus, who was made a little
lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered
death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
- In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting
that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author
of their salvation perfect through suffering.
- Both the one who makes men holy and those
who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call
them brothers.
- He says, "I will declare your name
to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."
- And again, "I will put my trust in
him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given
me."
- Since the children have flesh and blood,
he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him
who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil --
- and free those who all their lives were
held in slavery by their fear of death.
- For surely it is not angels he helps, but
Abraham's descendants.
- For this reason he had to be made like his
brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful
high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins
of the people.
- Because he himself suffered when he was
tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Back
|
Home |
Next