Hebrews 6

1 Therefore [for this reason, in consequence] let us leave [release, let go of] the elementary teachings [first principles, basic doctrines] about Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] and go on [press on, advance] to maturity [perfection, completeness], not laying [founding, establishing] again [once more, anew] the foundation [base, starting point] of repentance [turning away from sin, changing one’s mind] from dead [lifeless, spiritually inactive] works [actions, deeds], and of faith [trust, confidence] in God [the Supreme Being, Creator], word study 2 instruction [teaching, doctrine] about baptisms [various Jewish and Christian rituals for purifying people], the laying on [imposition] of hands [for a blessing or healing], the resurrection [standing up again from death] of the dead [lifeless, either physically or spiritually], and eternal [lasting forever] judgment [God’s decision for or against someone]. word study 3 And [also, in addition] this [specific thing, elementary truth] we will do [accomplish, bring to pass], if [in the event that, provided that] God [the supreme Deity, Creator] permits [allows, gives permission, grants opportunity]. word study 4 It is impossible [completely unable, lacking the power] for those who have once [at one time, once for all] been enlightened [illuminated, made to see], who have tasted [experienced, partaken of] the heavenly [from above, divine] gift [free gift, unmerited favor], who have shared [become partakers, participated] in the Holy [set apart, sacred] Spirit [the divine breath, God’s presence], word study 5 who have tasted [experienced, known] the goodness [fairness, beauty] of the word [declaration, utterance] of God [the one true deity] and the powers [miraculous abilities, strengths] of the coming [future, to ensue] age [long period of time, eternity]— word study 6 and then have fallen away [to defect, to turn against]—to be restored [made new again, renewed] to repentance [a change of heart, feeling sorry for sin], because they themselves [on their own, by their own actions] are crucifying [nailing to the cross, putting to death] the Son of God [the Messiah, the Savior] all over again [anew, once more] and subjecting Him to open shame [publicly humiliating, disgracing]. word study 7 For land [earth, soil, or ground] that drinks in the rain [frequent showers] often [many times, repeatedly] falling on it and that produces a crop [herbs, plants, or produce] useful [suitable, beneficial] to those for whom it is tended [farmed, cultivated] receives the blessing [praise, benediction] of God [the one true deity]. word study 8 But land [that is worthless, unproductive] that produces thorns [a prickly plant] and thistles [a thorny weed] is worthless [rejected, failing the test], and its curse [a strong expression of disapproval] is imminent [near, close to happening]. In the end [the final result, the goal] it will be burned [consumed by fire, destroyed]. word study 9 Even though we speak [in this manner, with such strong words] like this, beloved [dearly loved, cherished ones], we are convinced [fully persuaded, having faith] of better things [greater, more excellent things] in your case—things that accompany [go along with, are part of] salvation [rescue, spiritual deliverance]. word study 10 For God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] is not unjust [unrighteous, unfair]. He will not forget [neglect, overlook] your work [labor, toil] and the love [unconditional affection, agape] you have shown [demonstrated, proved] for His name [character, authority] as you have ministered [served, attended to] to the saints [holy ones, set apart] and continue to do so [still serving, ongoing]. word study 11 We want [desire, long for] each of you to show [demonstrate, prove] this same diligence [eagerness, earnestness] to the very end [until the goal is reached, to the conclusion], in order to make [bring to full assurance, confirm] your hope [expectation, trust] sure [certain, confident, having entire confidence]. word study 12 Then you will not be [spiritually lazy, dull] sluggish, but will imitate [follow the example of] those who through [because of, by means of] faith [trust and confidence in God] and patience [longanimity, endurance] inherit [receive as a gift, a legacy] what has been promised [the promises, a commitment from God]. word study 13 When God [the supreme Deity, Elohim] made His promise [to profess, announce, or declare] to Abraham [the father of the Jewish nation], since He had no one [none, nobody] greater to swear by [to take an oath, make a vow], He swore by Himself [according to His own nature, having God’s character], word study 14 saying, “I will surely [certainly, without a doubt] bless [speak well of, praise] you [as an individual, personally] and multiply [increase, make numerous] your descendants [offspring, children].” word study 15 And so [thus, in this way] Abraham, after waiting [having patiently endured, calmly for a long time] patiently [with long-spirited forbearance], obtained [received, attained] the promise [commitment, assurance from God]. word study 16 Men [people, humans] swear [take an oath, make a promise] by someone [a person, an authority] greater [more powerful, superior] than themselves, and their oath [pledge, vow] serves as a confirmation [guarantee, assurance] to end [settle, resolve] all [every, any] argument [dispute, strife]. word study 17 So when God [the supreme Deity, Creator of all] wanted to make the unchanging [immutable, steadfast] nature of His purpose [plan, counsel] very clear [evident, manifest] to the heirs [those who receive an inheritance, beneficiaries] of the promise [commitment, assurance], He guaranteed [confirmed, ratified] it with an oath [solemn vow, binding pledge]. word study 18 Thus by two [immutable, unchanging] unchangeable things [deeds, promises] in which it is impossible [unable, lacking power] for God [the one true deity] to lie [deceive, speak falsely], we who have fled [taken refuge, escaped] to take hold [grasp, seize] of the hope [expectation, trust] set before [presented, offered to] us may be strongly [with great power, firmly] encouraged [comforted, consoled]. word study 19 We have this hope [a confident expectation, a strong band for our souls] as an anchor [a stabilizing device] for the soul [the seat of emotions and desires], firm [stable and secure] and secure [safe and certain]. It enters [to go into] the inner [inside or interior] sanctuary [the Most Holy Place] behind the curtain [a veil or partition], word study 20 where [in a specific location, to a certain place] Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] our forerunner [one who goes ahead to prepare the way] has entered [gone into, to penetrate] on our behalf [for our benefit, in our place]. He has become [been made, come to be] a high priest [chief priest, spiritual leader] forever [for all eternity, to the age] in the order [arrangement, sequence] of Melchizedek [king of righteousness]. word study