Hebrews

Explains Jesus' superiority and encourages believers to persevere in faith amid persecution.

Chapter 10

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

*The law had a preview of good things coming but wasn't an exact copy of them. It couldn't fully make people perfect through the repeated sacrifices they offered.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

*If they stopped offering sacrifices, it wouldn't make sense because after being forgiven for their sins once, the worshippers shouldn't feel guilty anymore.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

*But in those offerings, the memory of sins is renewed each year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

*It's impossible for animal blood to forgive sins.

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

*So when he comes to the world, he says, "Offerings and sacrifices you don't want, but a body you have prepared for me."

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

*You don't like burned offerings or sin sacrifices.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

*Then I said, "Look, I am coming (as it's written in your book about me), to do what you want, God."

8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

*When God spoke before, He said that He didn't want sacrifices, offerings for sin, or burnt offerings that were required by the law. He didn't enjoy them.

9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

*Then he said, "Look, I am here to do your will, God." He removes the first thing to make way for the second one.

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

*Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are made holy just one time.

11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

*Every priest stands daily to help and offer many similar sacrifices, but these cannot remove sins completely.

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

*But this person, after giving one eternal sin sacrifice, sat down next to God on His right side.

13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

*Starting now, he expects this until his enemies become like a footrest for him.

14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

*Through one sacrifice, he has made holy forever those who are set apart.

15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

*The Holy Spirit is also a witness for us, as He testified earlier,

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

*"This is the promise I make after that time," says the Lord, "I will put my rules inside their hearts and write them in their minds."

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

*I won't remember their sins and wrongdoings anymore.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

*Now, where forgiveness for these is given, there is no need for any more sacrifices to fix mistakes.

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

*So, brothers, since we have courage because of Jesus' blood, we can go inside the most holy place.

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

*By a fresh and active path, that he has made holy for us, through a barrier, meaning his body.

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

*And having a chief priest for the temple;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

*Come closer with a genuine heart, fully sure of your belief. Our hearts are cleaned from bad feelings, and our bodies are washed with clean water.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

*Let's firmly believe in what we trust, without doubting; because the one who promised is reliable.

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

*Let's encourage each other to inspire love and good actions.

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

*Don't stop meeting together, like some people do; instead, encourage each other and do it even more as you notice the day getting closer.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

*If we purposefully continue to sin after learning the truth, there are no more sacrifices left to forgive our sins.

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

*But a terrifying search for judgment and fiery anger will come, destroying those who oppose.

28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

*Those who disregarded Moses' rules faced death without mercy, based on the testimony of at least two or three witnesses.

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

*Suppose you think someone deserves a much worse punishment who has disrespected God's Son, considered the sacred blood that sets him apart as something unholy, and shown no respect for the Spirit of grace.

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

*We know the one who said, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay," and "The Lord will judge his people."

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

*It's scary to mess up with the real, alive God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

*But remember the old times when, after being enlightened, you bravely faced many hardships.

33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

*In part, you were mocked and suffered hardships; and in part, you joined those who experienced the same.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

*You cared about me when I was captured, and willingly gave up your possessions to help me. You knew that you have something more valuable and lasting in heaven.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

*Don't lose your trust, because it will bring you a big reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

*You need patience so you can do what God wants and then get the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

*In a short time, the one who is coming will arrive and won't delay.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

*Now, the righteous person lives through faith, but if someone goes back, I won't enjoy them.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

*But we don't belong to those who turn away to destruction; instead, we are with those who believe for their souls' salvation.

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