A Translation of the New Testament from the original Greek Part 34

CHAP. X.

NOW the law, having a shadow of the good things which were to come, not the very substance of the things, cannot possibly, by the same sacrifices which they offer year by year continually, make those perfect who approach _G.o.d_; (2)else they would have discontinued to make the offering, because they who performed the service being once made clean, would have had no more sense of sins on their conscience.

(3)But in these _sacrifices_ there is a commemoration of sins every year. (4)For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin. (5)Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and oblation thou hast not chosen, but thou hast exactly fas.h.i.+oned a body for me: (6)thou hast had no delight in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin: (7)then I said, Here am I; (in the volume of the book it is written of me) I come to do thy will, O G.o.d[137]." (8)Having said before that sacrifice, and oblation, and whole burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou hast not chosen, nor takest pleasure in, (which are offered according to the law,) (9)he then added, Lo, I come to do thy will, O G.o.d. He abolishes the first that he may establish the second. (10)By the which will we are sanctified through the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.

(11)And every priest standeth indeed daily performing the divine service, and frequently offering the same sacrifices, which cannot possibly take away sins: (12)but this person, having offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever hath seated himself at the right hand of G.o.d; (13)henceforth waiting till his enemies be put as a footstool for his feet. (14)For by one oblation he hath made those perfect for ever who are sanctified.

(15)Now the Holy Ghost also beareth this testimony to us: for after declaring before, (16)"This is the testament which I will appoint to them after those days, saith the Lord; giving my laws to their hearts, even on their minds will I inscribe them;" (17)_he adds,_ "and their sins and their iniquities I will in no wise remember any more." (18)Now where there is remission of these, no more offering for sin _is needed_.

(19)Having therefore, brethren, entire liberty of entrance into the holies by the blood of Jesus--(20)a way, which he hath consecrated for us, newly opened, and giving life, through the vail, that is, his flesh; (21)and having a great priest over the house of G.o.d, (22)let us come to him with a true heart, in full a.s.surance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and the body washed with pure water: (23)let us hold fast the profession of hope unwavering, (for he who promises is faithful.) (24)and let us attentively observe one another, to excite an ardour of love and of good works: (25)not deserting the a.s.sembling of ourselves together, as is the custom with some, but exhorting to it; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

(26)For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no more sacrifice for sins remaineth; (27)but a certain terrible expectation of judgment, and a burning indignation, ready to devour these enemies.

(28)Any man who treated the law of Moses with neglect, was put to death, without mercy, on the deposition of two or three witnesses: (29)by how much, think ye, shall he be counted worthy of more condign punishment who hath trampled on the Son of G.o.d, and regarded the blood of his testament, by which he was sanctified, as an unclean thing, and hath treated the gracious Spirit contumeliously? (30)For we know him who declares, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord[138]."

And again, "The Lord will judge his people." (31)It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living G.o.d.

(32)But remember the past days in which, after ye had been illuminated, ye endured a great conflict of sufferings; (33)partly while publicly exposed to revilings and tribulations, partly as being in communion with those who were treated in this manner. (34)For ye have been fellow-sufferers with my bonds, and received with joy the plundering of your properties, knowing in yourselves that you have in the heavens a better substance, and permanent.

(35)Recede not therefore from your boldness of profession, which brings a great recompence of reward. (36)For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of G.o.d, ye may receive the promise. (37)For yet a little, very little while, and he that is coming will come, and will not delay. (38)"The just man then will live by faith[139];" and if he draw back, my soul shall have no delight in him. (39)But we are not of those who turn back unto perdition; but of those who believe to the salvation of the soul.

CHAP. XI.

NOW faith is the realizing confidence of the things hoped for, and the demonstration of things unseen: (2)for thereby the ancients obtained a testimony of approbation.

(3)By faith we understand that the worlds were exactly formed by the word of G.o.d, so that the visible objects were not made out of things which now appear.

(4)By faith Abel offered unto G.o.d a sacrifice of more excellence than Cain, by which he received a testimony that he was a righteous man, G.o.d bearing witness upon his gifts: and by this, though dead, he still speaketh.

(5)By faith Enoch was translated, so as not to see death; and was not found, because G.o.d had translated him: for before his translation he was recorded to have been acceptable to G.o.d. (6)But without faith it is impossible to be acceptable; for he must believe, who cometh unto G.o.d, that he exists, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

(7)By faith Noah, being divinely warned respecting things not yet seen, filled with reverential awe, prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

(8)By faith Abraham, called to go forth unto a place which he should in future obtain as an heritage, obeyed; and he went forth, not knowing whither he was going. (9)By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. (10)For he expected a city having foundations, of which G.o.d is the planner and architect.

(11)By faith also that very Sarah, who was barren, received ability for the conception of seed, and past the usual time of life brought forth a child, because she accounted that he who promised it, would be true to his promise. (12)Wherefore even from one person, and he become dead in respect to these matters, there sprang a race, as the stars of heaven for mult.i.tude, and as the sand, which is on the sh.o.r.e of the sea, innumerable. (13)All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them at a great distance, though believing and embracing them, and confessing that they were strangers and sojourners in the land. (14)Now they who speak thus, shew evidently that they are in earnest search of their native country. (15)And if indeed they had fixed their minds on that from whence they had gone forth, they might have had opportunity to go back to it again. (16)But now their longing desires are after a better country, that is, the heavenly one: wherefore G.o.d is not ashamed of them to be called their G.o.d: for he hath prepared a city for them.

(17)By faith Abraham, when tried, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promise, presented in sacrifice his only begotten son, (18)unto whom it had been said, "That by Isaac shall there be a seed bearing thy name[140]:" (19)reasoning that G.o.d was able to raise him up again, even from the dead; from whence also figuratively he had received him.

(20)By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau with regard to future things.

(21)By faith, dying Jacob blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed down in adoration upon the top of his staff.

(22)By faith Joseph, approaching his end, made mention of the children of Israel's departure thence; and gave a charge respecting his bones.

(23)By faith Moses, after he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child singularly beautiful; and they were not intimidated by the command of the king.

(24)By faith Moses, when he became a grown man, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25)choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of G.o.d, than to have a temporary fruition of sin; (26)esteeming the reproach of Christ riches greater than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked earnestly to the recompence of reward. (27)By faith he forsook Egypt, not intimidated by the wrath of the king: for he boldly persisted, as seeing the invisible _Jehovah_.

(28)By faith he kept the pa.s.sover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the first-born might not touch them.

(29)By faith they pa.s.sed through the Red sea, as on dry ground; which the Egyptians attempting to do were swallowed up.

(30)By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after being circled round seven days.

(31)By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with those who were infidels, having received the spies in peace.

(32)And what more shall I say: for the time would fail me if I should make a narration concerning Gideon, and Barac, and Sampson, and Jephtha, and David, and Samuel, and the prophets: (33)who by faith vanquished kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34)extinguished the force of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, they were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in battle, routed the armies of aliens. (35)Women received by a resurrection their dead: but others were tortured, not accepting a release; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (36)and others had trials of mockeries and whippings, yea and farther of chains and imprisonment: (37)they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they experienced the severest trials, they were slain by the edge of the sword: they went about wrapped in skins of sheep and goats, dest.i.tute of all things, pressed down with afflictions, suffering all kind of misery; (38)of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered up and down in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caverns of the earth.

(39)And these all though having obtained a testimony by faith, received not the promise: (40)G.o.d having provided for us something better, that without us they should not attain to perfection.

CHAP. XII.

THEREFORE also seeing we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and that most easily besetting sin, let us run with patience the race lying before us, (2)earnestly looking up to Jesus the author and the finisher of faith; who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of G.o.d. (3)Consider then attentively him that endured from sinners such opposition against himself, that ye be not wearied out, fainting in your souls. (4)As yet ye have not resisted unto blood, struggling against sin. (5)And have you forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you, as children, "My son, count not lightly of the Lord's childlike correction, nor faint when under his rebuke: (6)for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth[141]." (7)If ye patiently endure correction, G.o.d carries himself towards you as his children: for who is the son whom the father doth not correct? (8)If then ye are without correction, of which all are partakers, then are ye b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, and not children.

(9)If then we have had the fathers of our flesh for correctors, and reverenced them; shall we not much more be under subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? (10)For they indeed for a few days as seemed proper to themselves corrected us; but he for our own advantage, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (11)Now all correction at the moment seemeth not to be cause for joy, but for sorrow; but after a while it produceth peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have thereby been disciplined.

(12)Wherefore stretch out again the hands that hang down, and the paralytic knees; (13)and make strait paths for your feet, that what is halting may not be turned out of the way; but that it may rather be healed.

(14)Earnestly seek peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (15)carefully observing lest any of you fail of attaining the grace of G.o.d; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and by it many be defiled; (16)lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of bread parted with his birthrights. (17)For ye know, that when afterwards he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place for a change of _his father's_ mind, though he sought it earnestly with tears. (18)For ye have not approached the mountain that could only be groped for, and that burned with fire, and the thick cloud, and the darkness, and the tempest, (19)and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they who heard, earnestly begged that the discourse might not be directed to them: (20)for they could not bear the charge given, and "If but a beast touch the mountain he shall be stoned, or shot through with a dart[142]:" (21)and so terrible was the appearance, that Moses said, I am exceedingly afraid and trembling: (22)but ye are come unto mount Sion, and to the city of the living G.o.d, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, (23)and to the general a.s.sembly and church of the first-born registered in the heavens, and to G.o.d the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men perfected, (24)and to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel.

(25)Beware that ye reject not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not, who rejected him, that upon earth spake by divine influence, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him who speaks from heaven: (26)whose voice then shook the earth, but now he hath promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also the heaven[143]." (27)Now this word yet once more manifests the removal of the things shaken, as of things formed, that the things not shaken may endure.

(28)Wherefore receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, may we hold fast the grace, by which we can offer to G.o.d acceptably divine service, with reverence and pious awe: (29)for our G.o.d is a devouring fire.

CHAP. XIII.

LET brotherly love continue. (2)Forget not to exercise hospitality: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

(3)Remember those who are in chains, as in chains with them; and those who are suffering afflictions, as being yourselves also in the body.

(4)Marriage is honourable for all persons, and the marriage bed undefiled: but wh.o.r.emongers and adulterers G.o.d will judge.

(5)Let the tenor of your life be divested of the love of money; content with your present possessions: for he hath said, "I will in no wise leave thee, neither will I in any case forsake thee[144]." (6)So that we may with confidence say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

(7)Remember your presidents, who have spoken to you the word of G.o.d: the ultimate issue of whose conduct attentively observing, be imitators of their fidelity.

(8)Jesus Christ _is_ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. (9)Be not tossed about by various and strange doctrines: for it is good to have the heart firmly established by grace, not by meats, in which observances they who have walked have found no manner of advantage.

(10)We have an altar, of which they have no right to eat, who perform the service in the tabernacle. (11)For the bodies of those beasts are burnt without the camp, whose blood for a sin offering is brought into the holy of holies by the high-priest. (12)Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

(13)Therefore let us go forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (14)For we have not here an abiding city, but we earnestly seek that which is to come. (15)By him therefore let us offer a sacrifice of praise perpetually to G.o.d, that is the fruit of our lips confessing his name. (16)But of beneficence, and liberal distribution, be not unmindful: for such sacrifices G.o.d accepts with delight.

(17)Obey your presidents, and be subject to them: for they are vigilant for your souls, as being to render an account, that they may do it with joy, and not groaning: for that would be disadvantageous for you.

(18)Pray for us: for we have confidence that we maintain a good conscience, in all things desirous to conduct ourselves with propriety.--(19)But I entreat you the rather to do this, that I may the more speedily be restored to you.

(20)Now the G.o.d of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great pastor of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting testament, (21)make you fit for every good work to do his will, producing in you that which is acceptable in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory unto the everlasting ages. Amen.

(22)But I entreat you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation; for I have written to you in few words.

(23)Know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.