tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age,

And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, ¹  for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, ¹ 

But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.

For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in ¹  with those who heard it in faith. ² 

For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.

equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us ¹  what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever. ²  Amen.

But now Christ has come ¹  as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation,

So in fact children ¹  were fathered by one man – and this one as good as dead – like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand ²  on the seashore. ³ 

Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. ¹  For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, ²  which have never benefited those who participated in them.

For the law possesses a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself, and is therefore completely unable, by the same sacrifices offered continually, year after year, to perfect those who come to worship. ¹ 

For by it the people of old ¹  received God’s commendation. ² 

Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience.

And these all were commended ¹  for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. ² 

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect.

(the world was not worthy of them); they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and openings in the earth.

For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on ¹  it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God.

For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison, ¹  and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainly ²  had a better and lasting possession.

Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith.