For if the message spoken through angels<n id="1" /> proved to be so firm that every violation<n id="2" /> or disobedience received its just penalty,

<t /><p class="bodytext">On this topic we have much to say<n id="1" /> and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish<n id="2" /> in hearing.

<p class="bodytext">Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,

For people<n id="1" /> swear by something greater than themselves,<n id="2" /> and the oath serves as a confirmation to end all dispute.<n id="3" />

But see how great he must be, if<n id="1" /> Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe<n id="2" /> of his plunder.

But Melchizedek<n id="1" /> who does not share their ancestry<n id="2" /> collected a tithe<n id="3" /> from Abraham and blessed<n id="4" /> the one who possessed the promise.

For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.

for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

a minister in the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up.

And he did not enter to offer<n id="1" /> himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the sanctuary year after year with blood that is not his own,

For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations,<n id="1" /> whose architect and builder is God.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises,<n id="1" /> yet he was ready to offer up<n id="2" /> his only son.

and he reasoned<n id="1" /> that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense<n id="2" /> he received him back from there.

<p class="bodytext">Endure your suffering<n id="1" /> as discipline;<n id="2" /> God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,<n id="1" /> for God is pleased with such sacrifices.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">After God spoke long ago<n id="1" /> in various portions<n id="2" /> and in various ways<n id="3" /> to our ancestors<n id="4" /> through the prophets,

And he says<n id="1" /> of the angels, &#8220;<b><i>He makesi>b><n id="2" /> <b><i>his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of firei>b>,&#8221;<n id="3" />

<p class="otpoetry"><b><i>and like a robe you will fold them upi>b>p> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>andi>b> like a garment<n id="1" /> <b><i>they will be changed,i>b>p> <p class="otpoetry"><i><b>but you are the same and your years will never run outb>.i>&#8221;<n id="2" />p>

For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin,<n id="1" /> and so<n id="2" /> he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,<n id="3" />

Again he says,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I will be confident in him,&#8221; and again, &#8220;<i><b>Here I amb>,i><n id="2" /> <b><i>withi>b><n id="3" /> <b><i>the children God has given mei>b>.&#8221;<n id="4" />