1 Therefore, having abandoned the initial instruction concerning Christ {Christos: Foundational Subject}, let us be borne onward to full maturity, not once more erecting a foundation of repentance from lifeless deeds and of faith directed toward God {Theos: Focus of Faith}.
2 And of teaching about washings {baptismon: various ritual immersions}, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment {krimatos: enduring final verdict}.
3 And we will do this, if indeed God {Theos, Sovereign Grantor} permits {epitrepo: grants opportunity}.
4 For it is impossible for those who once received enlightenment, who have tasted the heavenly gift {dorea: undeserved present}, and who have become partakers in the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Indwelling Sanctifier}.
5 And have tasted the good word {rhema: spoken message} of God {Theos, Life-Giving Revealer} and the powers of the coming age.
6 And having fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again into repentance {metanoia: decisive heart-change}, because they are crucifying the Son of God {huios tou Theou, Crucified Son} for themselves and exposing Him to public shame.
7 For land that absorbs the rain often falling upon it and bears useful vegetation{botane: cultivated growth} for those on whose behalf it is cultivated, it receives blessing from God{Theos, Gracious Giver}.
8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless {adokimos: rejected land} and close to a curse; its outcome is burning {kausin: consuming fire}.
9 But we have been persuaded concerning you, beloved {agapetoi: dearly loved ones}, of better things—things that belong to salvation {soterias: deliverance from peril}—even though we speak in this way.
10 For God {Theos, Just Rewarder} is not unjust to overlook your work {ergon: steadfast service} and the love you have shown toward His name, since you have served the saints and continue serving them.
11 But we desire each one of you to show the same diligence toward the full assurance {plerophoria: complete certainty} of hope until the end {telos: final completion}.
12 So that you may not become sluggish {nothroi: spiritually dull}, but become imitators {mimetai: pattern followers} of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises.
13 For when God {Theos, Supreme Oath-Giver} promised Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself {heautou: His own person}.
14 Saying, "Surely, by blessing {eulogon: spoken favor} I {Theos, Faithful Oath-Giver} will bless you, and by multiplying I will multiply you."
15 And thus, having endured patiently {makrothymesas: steadfast perseverance}, he obtained {epetuchen: successfully attained} the promise.
16 For people swear by the greater, and for them the oath brings confirmation{bebaiosis: legal assurance} and ends every dispute{antilogia: contested argument}.
17 Therefore God {Theos, Faithful Guarantor}, desiring more abundantly to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, guaranteed it with an oath {horkos: solemn legal vow}.
18 So that, by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God {Theos, Unfailing Truth-Teller} to lie, we who have fled for refuge may have strong encouragement {paraklesis: intensive comfort} to seize the hope set before us.
19 This hope we have as an anchor {ankura: stabilizing weight} for the soul—safe and steadfast—one that enters into the inner part behind the curtain {katapetasma: temple veil}.
20 There Jesus {Iesous, Eternal Mediator} entered on our behalf as a forerunner, having become high priest forever according to the order of Melchisedek {Melchisedek: Priestly Prototype}.