1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ , let us go on unto perfection ; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works , and of faith toward God ,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms , and of laying on of hands , and of resurrection of the dead , and of eternal judgment .
3 And this will we do , if God permit .
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened , and have tasted of the heavenly gift , and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost ,
5 And have tasted the good word of God , and the powers of the world to come ,
6 If they shall fall away , to renew them again unto repentance ; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh , and put him to an open shame .
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it , and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed , receiveth blessing from God :
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected , and is nigh unto cursing ; whose end is to be burned .
9 But , beloved , we are persuaded better things of you , and things that accompany salvation , though we thus speak .
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love , which ye have shewed toward his name , in that ye have ministered to the saints , and do minister .
11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end :
12 That ye be not slothful , but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises .
13 For when God made promise to Abraham , because he could swear by no greater , he sware by himself ,
14 Saying , Surely blessing I will bless thee , and multiplying I will multiply thee .
15 And so , after he had patiently endured , he obtained the promise .
16 For men verily swear by the greater : and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife .
17 Wherein God , willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel , confirmed it by an oath :
18 That by two immutable things , in which it was impossible for God to lie , we might have a strong consolation , who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us :
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul , both sure and stedfast , and which entereth into that within the veil ;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered , even Jesus , made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec .
