Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, ¹  we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,

For our God is indeed a devouring fire. ¹ 

For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence ¹  firm until the end.

But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation.

“For I will be merciful toward their evil deeds, and their sins I will remember no longer.” ¹ 

So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe.

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹  bear with my message of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you briefly.

You should know that ¹  our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon, he will be with me when I see you. ² 

“It will not be like the covenant ¹  that I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant and I had no regard for them, says the Lord.

“For this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put ¹  my laws in their minds ²  and I will inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God and they will be my people. ³ 

But Christ ¹  is faithful as a son over God’s ²  house. We are of his house, ³  if in fact we hold firmly ⁴  to our confidence and the hope we take pride in. ⁵ 

“This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put ¹  my laws on their hearts and I will inscribe them on their minds,” ² 

But to which of the angels ¹  has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? ² 

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I ¹  take no pleasure in him. ² 

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets.

Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.” ¹ 

Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” ¹ 

For he did not put the world to come, ¹  about which we are speaking, ²  under the control of angels.

So ¹  we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.