Bible in 90 Days
1 Long ago, at various times and in diverse ways, God spoke to our fathers by the Prophets. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son,
2 Whom He has made heir of all things. Through Whom He also made the world.
3 He, being the brightness of the Glory and the engraved form of His person and bearing up all things by His mighty Word, has purged our sins through Himself. And He sits at the right hand of the Majesty in the Highest Places.
4 And He is made so much more excellent than the angels, inasmuch as He has obtained a more excellent Name than they.
5 For to which of the angels has He said at any time, “You are My Son. This day I begat You.”? And again, “I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son.”?
6 And again, when He brings in His first begotten Son into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.”
7 And of the angels, He says, “He makes the spirits His messengers, and His ministers a flame of fire.”
8 But to the Son, He says, “O God, Your throne is forever and ever. The scepter of Your Kingdom is a scepter of righteousness.
9 “You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity. Therefore God - even Your God - has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your associates.”10 And, “You, Lord, established the Earth in the beginning. And the heavens are the works of Your hands.
11 “They shall perish, but You remain. And they all shall grow old, as does a garment.
12 “And as a cloak, You shall fold them up. And they shall be changed. But You are the same. And Your years shall not fail.”
13 Also, to which of the angels has He said at any time, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for the sakes of those who shall be heirs of salvation?
2 Therefore we ought to diligently pay attention to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we drift away.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (which at first began to be preached by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him;
4 God bearing witness to it both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will)?
5 For He has not put the world to come (whereof we speak) in subjection to the angels.
6 But one in a certain place witnessed, saying, “What is man that You should be mindful of him; or the son of man that You would consider him?
7 “You made him a little inferior to the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor and have set him above the works of Your Hands.
8 “You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” And in that He has put all things in subjection under him, He left nothing that should not be subject to him. But we still do not see all things subjected to him.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made little inferior to the angels, crowned with glory and honor through the suffering of death. That by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone.
10 For it became Him for Whom all these things are - and by Whom all these things are (seeing that He brought many children to Glory) - that He should consecrate the Author of their salvation through afflictions.
11 For He Who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, are all of One. Therefore, He is not ashamed to call them brothers,
12 saying, “I will declare Your Name to My brothers. In the midst of the Church I will sing praises to You.”
13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, here I am, and the children whom God has given Me.”
14 So then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he himself also took part with them, so that He might destroy (through death) him who had the power of death (namely, the Devil).
15 And that He might deliver all those who, for fear of death, were subject to bondage all their lifetime.
16 For He in no way took on the nature of angels, but He took on the seed of Abraham.
17 Therefore it was fitting for him to be made like his brothers in all things, so that He might be merciful, and a faithful High Priest in things concerning God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he suffered, and was tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted.
3 Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly vocation, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to Him who has appointed Him (just as Moses was) in all His house.
3 For this Man is counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as the One who has built the house has more honor than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone. But the One Who has built all things is God.
5 Now Moses was truly faithful in all His house as a servant, for a witness of the things yet to be spoken.
6 But, Christ is as the Son over His own house, Whose house we are if we hold onto the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope to the end.
7 Therefore, as the Holy Ghost says, “Today, if you shall hear His voice,
8 “do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion on the day of temptation in the wilderness,
9 “where your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works for forty years.
10 “Therefore, I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘They always err in their heart, nor have they known My ways.’
11 “Therefore, I swear in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter into My rest.’”
12 Pay attention, brothers, lest at any time there be in any of you an evil and unfaithful heart, departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have been made partakers of Christ, if we keep sure to the end that beginning which upholds us,
15 so long as it is said, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
16 For some, when they heard, provoked Him to anger (though not all who came out of Egypt with Moses).
17 But with whom was He displeased for forty years? Was He not displeased with those who sinned; whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter into His rest, but to those who disobeyed?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
4 Therefore, let us fear, lest at any time any of you should seem to have come short of the promise of entering into His rest.
2 For the Gospel was preached to us as well as them. But the word that they heard did not profit them, because it was not mixed with faith in those who heard it.
3 For we who have believed have entered into rest, as He said, “As I have sworn in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter into My rest,’” However, the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For He spoke in a certain place of the seventh day in this way, “And God rested the seventh day from all His works.”
5 And in this place again, “If they shall enter into My rest.”
6 Therefore, seeing it remains that some must enter into it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter therein for unbelief’s sake,
7 again (after so long a time) He appointed through David a certain day - “Today” - by saying, “This day, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then would He not later have spoken of another day?
9 There remains, therefore, a rest to the people of God.
10 For the one who has entered into His rest has also ceased from his own works (as God did from His).
11 Therefore, let us study to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
12 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, passing through even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to discern the thoughts and the intentions of the heart.
13 Nor is there any creature unseen by Him. But all things are naked and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.
14 Seeing, then, that we have a great High Priest Who has entered into Heaven (Jesus, the Son of God), let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all things tempted in the same way, yet without sin.
16 Therefore, let us go boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
5 For every High Priest is taken from among man (and is ordained for man, in things pertaining to God), so that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to have compassion on the ignorant and the wayward, because he also is encompassed by infirmity.
3 And for the same reason he must also offer for his own sins as well as for the people’s.
4 And no man takes this honor for himself, but rather he who is called by God (as was Aaron).
5 So likewise, Christ did not take this honor for Himself (to be made the High Priest), but He Who said to Him, “You are My Son. This day I begat You”.
6 As He also, in another place states, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek”,
7 Who, in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications (with strong crying and tears) to Him Who was able to save him from death. And He was heard because he feared.
8 And though He was the Son, he still learned obedience by the things which he suffered.
9 And being consecrated, He was made the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
10 And He is called by God “A High Priest after the order of Melchizedek”,
11 of Whom we have many things to say which are hard to understand because you are dull of hearing.
12 For though you ought to be teachers by this time, once again you need us to teach you the first principles of the Word of God, still having need of milk, and not solid food.
13 For everyone who uses milk is ignorant of the Word of righteousness. For he is an infant.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of age; who through long practice have their wits exercised to discern both good and evil.
6 Therefore, having left the beginning doctrines of Christ, let us be led forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith toward God,
2 the doctrine of baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And we will do this if God permits.
4 For it is impossible that those who were once lightened - and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 and have tasted of the good Word of God, and of the powers of the world to come -
6 if they should fall away, would be renewed again by repentance (seeing they crucify the Son of God to themselves again, and make a mockery of Him).
7 For the Earth, which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it and brings forth useful herbs for those who till it, receives blessing from God.
8 But that which bears thorns and briars is rejected and near to being cursed (whose end is to be burned).
9 But beloved, even though we speak in this way, we are still persuaded of better things concerning you and things which accompany salvation.
10 For God is not unrighteous, so that He should forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward his Name. In that you have ministered to the saints, and still minister.
11 And we desire that every one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end,
12 so that you are not slothful but followers of those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.
13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself (because He had no greater to swear by),
14 saying, “Surely I will abundantly bless you, and multiply you marvelously.”
15 And so, after he had waited patiently, he enjoyed the promise.
16 For man indeed swears by Him Who is greater. And an oath of confirmation is an end of all strife among them.
17 So God, wanting to more abundantly show the stableness of His counsel to the heirs of promise, bound Himself by an oath.
18 So that by two immutable things (in which it is impossible for God to lie), we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to lay hold upon the hope that is set before us.
19 We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, and entering in those places behind the veil
20 where the forerunner, Jesus - Who was made High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek - has entered in for us.
7 For this Melchizedek - King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 and to whom Abraham also gave a tithe of all things - is by first interpretation “King of Righteousness”, and after that “King of Salem” (that is, “King of Peace”);
3 without father or mother or family, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. But he is likened to the Son of God and continues as a priest forever.
4 Now consider how great this man was to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils.
5 For indeed those who are the children of Levi (who receive the office of the priesthood) have a Commandment to take tithes from the people according to the Law (that is, from their brothers), though they came out of the loins of Abraham.
6 But the one whose family is not counted among them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.
7 And without any dispute, the less is blessed by the greater.
8 And here, men who die receive tithes. But there, he who lives (about Whom it is witnessed).
9 And truth be told, Levi (who receives tithes) also paid tithes to Abraham.
10 For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
11 Therefore, if perfection had been by the priesthood of the Levites (for under it the people received the Law) what further need was there for another priest to rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not to be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For if the priesthood is changed, then the Law must be changed.
13 For He of Whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man served at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing regarding the priesthood.
15 And it is even more evident because there has risen up another priest in the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 Who is made priest not after the Law of carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For He testifies, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For indeed the preceding commandment is annulled because of its weakness and uselessness.
19 For the Law made nothing perfect, but rather the introduction of a better hope (by which we draw near to God).
20 And inasmuch as it is not without an oath (for these priests are made without an oath,
21 but this One was made with an oath by Him Who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn, and will not repent. You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”)
22 By so much has Jesus made a surety of a better Testament.
23 And many were made priests among them, because they were not allowed to endure by the reason of death.
24 But this Man, because He endures forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore, He is also able to perfectly save those who come to God through Him (seeing He forever lives to make intercession for them).
26 For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest: holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who does not need to offer up daily sacrifices (first for His own sins, and then for the people’s) as those High Priests. For He did that once and for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the Law makes men (who have weakness) High Priests. But the Word of the oath (which came after the Law) makes the Son, Who is consecrated for evermore.
8 Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: that we have such a High Priest Who sits at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven,
2 and is a Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle (which the Lord pitched, and not man).
3 For every High Priest is ordained to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, it was necessary that this Man also have something to offer.
4 For if He were on the Earth, He would not be a priest, seeing there are priests that offer gifts according to the Law,
5 who serve the pattern and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was instructed by God when he was about to finish the Tabernacle. “See,” said He, “that you make all things according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.”
6 But now, our High Priest has obtained a more excellent office, inasmuch as He is the Mediator of a better Testament, which is established upon better promises.
7 For if that first Testament had been blameless, no place would have been sought for the second.
8 For in rebuking them He said, “‘Behold, the days will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when I shall make a new Testament with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah -
9 ‘unlike the Testament that I made with their fathers on the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my Testament. And I disregarded them,’ says the Lord.
10 “For this is the Testament that I will make with the House of Israel, ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put My Laws in their mind, And I will write them on their heart. And I will be their God. And they shall be my people.
11 ‘And no one shall teach his neighbor, or every man his brother, saying, “Know the Lord.” For all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.
12 ‘For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. And I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.’”
13 In saying, “a New Testament”, He has rendered the first obsolete. Now that which has aged and grown old is ready to vanish.
9 Then, indeed, the first Testament had ordinances of religion, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For the first Tabernacle was made - in which was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread - which is called the Holy Place.
3 And after the second veil, the Tabernacle - which is called the Holiest of All -
4 which had the golden censer and the Ark of the Testament, overlaid all around with gold (in which was the golden pot which had manna and Aaron’s rod that had budded and the tables of the Testament).
5 And over the Ark were the glorious cherubims shadowing the mercy seat, of which we will not now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus prepared, the priest always went into the first Tabernacle and completed the service.
7 But only the High Priest went into the second - once every year - and not without blood (which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins of ignorance).
8 By this, the Holy Ghost signified that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9 It was a symbol of that present time in which was offered gifts and sacrifices that could not make the worshiper holy concerning the conscience,
10 but consisted only of foods and drinks and diverse washings and carnal rituals imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ - being a High Priest of good things to come - came by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle (not made with hands - that is, not of this creation -
12 nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood), entering in once to the Holy Place and obtaining eternal redemption.
13 For if the sprinkling of the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who are unclean (as touching the purifying of the flesh),
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ - Who, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without fault to God - purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God?
15 And because of this, He is the Mediator of the new Testament, so that through death (which was for the redemption of the transgressions in the former Testament) those who were called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where there is a Testament, there must be the death of the one who made it.
17 For the Testament is confirmed after death. It is still of no force so long as the one who made it lives.
18 Therefore, nor was the first ordained without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to the people (according to the Law), he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and purple wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the Testament which God has commanded you.”
21 Moreover, he likewise sprinkled the Tabernacle with blood, and all the implements of ministry.
22 And by the Law, almost all things are purged with blood. And there is no remission without shedding of blood.
23 It was necessary, then, that the representations of heavenly things should be purified with such things. But the heavenly things themselves are purified with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ has not entered into the Holy Places that are made with hands - which are representations of the true things - but into Heaven itself, to appear now in the sight of God for us.
25 Not that He should offer himself often, as the High Priest entered into the Holy Place every year with others’ blood.
26 For then He would have had to suffer often, since the foundation of the world. But now, in the end of the world, He has appeared once, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And as much as it has been appointed to man that he shall die once (and after that comes the Judgment),
28 so Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many. And to those who look for Him, He shall appear a second time - without sin - for salvation.
10 For the law, having the shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things, can never - with those sacrifices which they offer year by year continually - sanctify those who come to it.
2 For would they not, then, have ceased to have been offered, because those who offer (once purged) would have had no more consciousness of sins?
3 But in those sacrifices, there is a remembrance of sins again every year.
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, but a body have You prepared for Me.
6 “In burnt offerings and sin offerings You have had no pleasure.
7 “Then I said, ‘Lo, I come. In the beginning of the book it is written of Me, that I should do Your will, O God’.”
8 Previously, when He said, “Sacrifice and offering, and burnt offerings, and sin offerings, You do not desire, nor had pleasure therein (which are offered by the Law).”
9 Then He said, “Lo, I come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first, so that He may establish the second.
10 By which will we are sanctified; by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily, ministering, frequently offering the same sacrifice (which can never take away sins).
12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, sits forever at the right hand of God.
13 And since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool.
14 For with one offering, He has forever consecrated those who are sanctified.
15 For the Holy Ghost also bears us witness. For after He had said before,
16 “This is the Testament that I will make to them after those days, says the Lord, ‘I will put my Laws in their heart, and I will write them in their minds.’”
17 And, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
18 Now where there is remission of these things, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Seeing therefore, brothers, that by the blood of Jesus we may be bold to enter into the Holy Place,
20 By the new and living way through the veil, which He has prepared for us (that is, His flesh).
21 And seeing we have a High Priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart, in assurance of faith; our hearts being sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
23 and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us keep the profession of our hope without wavering. For He Who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and to good works,
25 not forsaking the fellowship that we have among ourselves (as is the manner of some). But let us exhort one another, and so much more so because you see that the Day draws near.
26 For if we sin willingly after we have received and acknowledged the Truth, sacrifice for sins no longer remains;
27 but rather a fearful expectation of judgment and violent fire, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 Anyone who ignores Moses’ Law dies without mercy upon two or three witnesses.
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, shall he be worthy who treads the Son of God under foot, and counts the blood of the Testament (with which he was sanctified) as an unholy thing, insulting the Spirit of Grace?
30 For we know Him Who has said, “Vengeance belongs to Me. I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord shall judge His people.”
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Now call to remembrance the days that are passed in which - after you had received light - you endured a great fight in afflictions;
33 partly while you were made a spectacle by both reproaches and afflictions and partly while you became companions of those who were so tossed to and fro.
34 For you sorrowed with me for my bonds; and also joyfully suffered the plundering of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have a better and an enduring substance in Heaven.
35 Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you need patience, so that after you have done the will of God you might receive the promise.
37 For yet a very little while and He Who shall come, will come, and will not wait.
38 For “The just shall live by faith. But if anyone withdraws himself, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
39 However, we are not those who withdraw into destruction, but those who follow faith to the preservation of the soul.
11 Now faith is the confidence of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it our elders were given a good report.
3 Through faith, we understand that the world was ordained by the Word of God, so that the things which we see are not made of things which are visible.
4 By faith, Abel offered a greater sacrifice to God than Cain - by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts - also by which he, being dead, still speaks.
5 By faith, Enoch was translated, so that he would not see death. Nor was he found. For God had taken him away. For before he was transformed, it was reported of him that he had pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him. He who comes to God must believe that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith, Noah being warned by God of the things which were as yet not seen, moved with reverence, prepared the Ark to the saving of his household (through which He condemned the world), and was made heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out into a place which he would receive for inheritance afterward. And he went out, not knowing where he went.
9 By faith, he dwelt in the Land of Promise - as in a strange country - living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he awaited a city having a foundation whose Builder and Maker is God.
11 Through faith, Sarah also received strength to conceive seed and delivered a child when she was past age, because she judged Him Who had promised faithful.
12 And therefore, even from one who was as good as dead, there sprang so many; as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand of the seashore, which is innumerable.
13 All these died in faith and did not receive the promises. But they saw them at a distance and believed, and received thankfully, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth.
14 For those who say such things, plainly declare that they seek a country.
15 And if they had been mindful of from where they had come, they had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better (that is, a heavenly). Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith, Abraham - when he was tried - offered up Isaac. And he who had received the promises offered his only begotten son
18 (to whom it was said, “In Isaac shall your seed be called.”)
19 For he considered that God was able to raise him up - even from the dead - from where He received him also, figuratively.
20 By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith, Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph worshipping at the end of his staff.
22 By faith, Joseph, when he died, mentioned the departing of the children of Israel and gave commandment about his bones.
23 By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw he was a beautiful child. Nor did they fear the king’s commandment.
24 By faith, Moses, when he had come to age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter
25 and chose to suffer adversity with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
26 He esteemed the rebuke of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. For he looked toward the reward.
27 By faith, he left Egypt and did not fear the fierceness of the king. For he endured, as he who saw Him Who is invisible.
28 Through faith, he ordained the Passover and the effusion of blood, so that He who destroyed the first born would not touch them.
29 By faith, they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land (in which the Egyptians, when they had tried to do so, were swallowed up).
30 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they were surrounded for seven days.
31 By faith, the prostitute Rahab, when she had received the spies peaceably, did not perish with those who disobeyed.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would be too short for me to tell of Gideon, of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, also of David, and Samuel, and of the Prophets;
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, made the weak strong, became valiant in battle, turned the armies of the aliens to flight.
35 The women received their dead raised to life again. Also, others were tortured and refused deliverance so that they might receive a better resurrection.
36 And others have been tried by mockings and scourgings, and moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were tempted. They were killed with the sword. They wandered up and down in sheep’s skins, and in goats’ skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented.
38 Those of whom the world was not worthy wandered in wildernesses and mountains, and dens, and caves of the Earth.
39 And through faith, these all obtained a good report. And yet, they did not receive the promise;
40 God providing a better thing for us, so that they would not be made perfect apart from us.
12 Therefore, seeing that we are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also cast away everything that presses down and the sin that so easily entangles. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus - the Author and Finisher of our faith - Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame and is set at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Therefore, consider Him Who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 In striving against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by Him.
6 “For whom the Lord loves, he chastens. And He scourges every son that He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God offered Himself to you as to sons. For what son is it whom the Father does not chasten?
8 Therefore, if you are without correction - of which all are partakers - then you are bastards, and not sons.
9 Moreover, we have had the fathers of our bodies who corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Should we not be in all the more subjection to the Father of Spirits, in order that we might live?
10 For indeed they chastened us for a few days, as it pleased them. But He chastened us for our profit, so that we might be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now, no chastising seems joyous at the time, but grievous. Yet afterward, it brings the quiet fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
12 Therefore, lift up your hands which hang down, and your weak knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is halting is not turned out of the way. But rather, let it be healed.
14 Pursue peace and holiness with all, without which no one shall see the Lord.
15 Watch carefully, so no one falls away from the grace of God. Let no root of bitterness spring up and trouble you, lest many be defiled by it.
16 Let there be no fornicator or profane person (such as Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal).
17 For you also know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance, though he sought that blessing with tears.
18 For you have not come to the mountain that can be touched - nor to burning fire, nor to blackness and darkness and tempest,
19 nor to the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words - from which those who heard it excused themselves so that the word would not be spoken to them anymore.
20 For they were not able to abide that which was commanded: “Yea, if a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with an arrow”.
21 And so terrible was the sight which appeared, that Moses said, “I fear and quake”.
22 But you have come to the Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God (the celestial Jerusalem), and to the company of innumerable angels,
23 and to the assembly and congregation of the first born (which are written in Heaven), and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the just and perfected,
24 and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament, and to the blood of sprinkling which speaks better things than that of Abel.
25 See that you do not despise Him Who speaks. For if those did not escape who refused Him who spoke on Earth, much more so shall we not escape if we turn away from Him Who speaks from Heaven.
26 His voice shook the Earth then. And now He has declared, saying, “Yet once more will I shake, not the Earth only, but also Heaven.”
27 And this, “Yet once more” signifies the removing of those things which are shaken (as in things which are made) so that the things which are not shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, seeing we receive a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may pleasingly serve God with reverence and godly fear.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
13 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers. For thereby some have unknowingly received angels into their houses.
3 Remember the prisoners, as though you were bound with them; and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled. But God will judge whoremongers and adulterers.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness. And be content with those things that you have. For He has said,
6 “I will neither fail you nor forsake you.”
7 So that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me.”
8 Remember your leaders who have declared to you the Word of God. Follow their faith, considering what has been the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
9 Do not be carried about with strange and diverse doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart is established with grace, and not with food which has not profited those who walk in them.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve in the Tabernacle have no authority to eat.
11 For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the High Priest for sin, are burnt outside the camp.
12 Therefore, even Jesus - so that He might sanctify the people with His own blood - suffered outside the gate.
13 Therefore, let us go forth to Him out of the camp, bearing His reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city. But we seek one to come.
15 Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God (that is, the fruit of the lips which confess His Name).
16 Do not forget to do good and to share. For God is pleased with such sacrifices.
17 Obey your leaders and submit. For they watch over your souls, as those who must give an account. So that they may do so with joy and not with grief. For that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us. For we are confident that we have a good conscience in all things, desiring to live honestly.
19 And I desire that you do so somewhat more earnestly, that I may be restored to you more quickly.
20 May the God of Peace, Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus - the Great Shepherd of the sheep - through the blood of the everlasting Covenant,
21 make you perfect in all good works; to do His will, working in you that which is pleasant in His sight through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise forever and ever. Amen.
22 I implore you also, brothers, to bear the words of exhortation. For I have written to you in few words.
23 Know that our brother, Timothy, has been freed; with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those of Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
(Written to the Hebrews from Italy. And sent by Timothy.)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith brings forth patience.
4 And let patience have her perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives liberally to all and reproaches no one. And it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, and do not waver. For the one who wavers is like a wave of the sea, tossed by the wind and carried away.
7 Do not let that man think he shall receive anything from the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice, in that he is exalted;
10 likewise the one who is rich, in that he is made low. For as the flower of the grass, he shall vanish away.
11 For when the Sun rises with heat, the grass withers, its flower falls away and its good shape perishes. So, also, shall the rich man wither away in all his ways.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trials. For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God.” For God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
14 But everyone is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and is enticed.
15 Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is completed, brings forth death.
16 Make no mistake, my dear brothers.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no change or turning shadow.
18 Of His own will He begat us with the Word of Truth, so that we would be as the firstfruits of His creatures.
19 Therefore my dear brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.
20 For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore, put aside all filthiness and abundance of wickedness. In humility, receive the Word implanted in you which is able to save your souls.
22 And be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if any hear the Word, and does not do it, he is like a man who beholds his natural face in a mirror.
24 For after he has looked at himself, he goes his way and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues therein (not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work), he shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If anyone among you seems religious but does not refrain his tongue and deceives his own heart, their religion is vain.
27 Religion, pure and undefiled before God (even the Father) is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their adversity, and to keep oneself undefiled by the world.
2 My brothers, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with favoritism.
2 For if a man with a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly. And then, also, a poor man in rags comes in—
3 and you have respect for the one wearing the fine clothing, saying to him, “Sit here in a good place”, yet you say to the poor, “Stand over there”, or “Sit here under my footstool” —
4 are you not partial among yourselves, becoming judges of evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
6 But you have despised the poor. Do not the rich oppress you by tyranny? And do they not draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do they not blaspheme the worthy Name after which you are named?
8 But if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”, you do well.
9 But if you show favoritism, you commit sin and are rebuked by the Law as transgressors.
10 For whoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet fails in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For He Who said, “You shall not commit adultery”, also said, “You shall not kill”. Now, though you do no adultery, if you kill you are still a transgressor of the Law.
12 So speak and so do as those who shall be judged by the Law of liberty.
13 For there shall be merciless condemnation for the one who does not show mercy. And mercy rejoices against condemnation.
14 What profit is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but has no works? Can faith save him?
15 For if a brother or a sister is naked and without daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace. Warm yourselves and fill your bellies”, what help is it if you don’t give them those things which the body needs?
17 Even so, faith - if it has no works - is dead by itself.
18 But someone might say, “You have faith, and I have works”. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. The demons also believe it, and tremble.
20 But will you understand, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not our father Abraham justified through works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?
22 Do you not see that faith worked with his works? And through works was faith made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness”. And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then how a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified through works when she had received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.
3 My brothers, do not let many of you become instructors, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we all sin. If anyone does not sin in word, he is a perfect man and able to bridle his whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us. And we direct their whole body.
4 Also, behold the ships. Though they are so great and are driven by fierce winds, they are still directed with a very small rudder, wherever the helmsman wishes.
5 Even so the tongue is a small member and boasts of great things. Behold how great a thing a little fire kindles.
6 And the tongue is fire, a world of wickedness. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature. And it is set on fire by Hell.
7 For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed (and has been tamed) by mankind.
8 But no one can tame the tongue - an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless God, even the Father. And with it we curse man, who is made in the image of God.
10 Out of one mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a fountain send forth sweet and bitter in the same place?
12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, bring forth olives; or a vine, figs? So can no fountain make both saltwater and sweet.
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