Hebrews 6:16-19

6:16 For people ¹  swear by something greater than themselves, ²  and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute. ³  6:17 In the same way ⁴  God wanted to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise that his purpose was unchangeable, ⁵  and so he intervened with an oath, 6:18 so that we who have found refuge in him ⁶  may find strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us through two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie. 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, which reaches inside behind the curtain, ⁷ 

¹ tn The plural Greek term ἄνθρωποι (anqrwpoi) is used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, and is thus translated “people.”

² tn Grk “by something greater”; the rest of the comparison (“than themselves”) is implied.

³ tn Grk “the oath for confirmation is an end of all dispute.”

⁴ tn Grk “in which.”

⁵ tn Or “immutable” (here and in v. 18); Grk “the unchangeableness of his purpose.”

⁷ tn Grk “have taken refuge”; the basis of that refuge is implied in the preceding verse.

¹⁰ sn The curtain refers to the veil or drape in the temple that separated the holy place from the holy of holies.