Hebrews 6

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Let us leave behind us then al the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to its completion,without going over the fundamental doctrines again: the turning away from dead actions, faith in God,	1 Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect, not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God,
2 the teaching about baptisms and the laying -- on of hands, about the resurrection of the dead andeternal judgement.	2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 This, God willing, is what we propose to do.	3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 As for those people who were once brought into the light, and tasted the gift from heaven, and receiveda share of the Holy Spirit,	4 For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 and tasted the goodness of God's message and the powers of the world to come	5 Have moreover tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 and yet in spite of this have fal en away -- it is impossible for them to be brought to the freshness ofrepentance a second time, since they are crucifying the Son of God again for themselves, and making a publicexhibition of him.	6 And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery.
7 A field that drinks up the rain that has fal en frequently on it, and yields the crops that are wanted by theowners who grew them, receives God's blessing;	7 For the earth that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from God.
8 but one that grows brambles and thistles is worthless, and near to being cursed. It will end by beingburnt.	8 But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers, is reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt.
9 But you, my dear friends -- in spite of what we have just said, we are sure you are in a better state andon the way to salvation.	9 But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus.
10 God would not be so unjust as to forget al you have done, the love that you have for his name or theservices you have done, and are stil doing, for the holy people of God.	10 For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints.
11 Our desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same enthusiasm til the ultimatefulfilment of your hope,	11 And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end:
12 never growing careless, but taking as your model those who by their faith and perseverance are heirsof the promises.	12 That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.
13 When God made the promise to Abraham, he swore by his own self, since there was no one greaterhe could swear by:	13 For God making promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself,
14 I will shower blessings on you and give you many descendants.	14 Saying: Unless blessing I shall bless thee, and multiplying I shall multiply thee.
15 Because of that, Abraham persevered and received fulfilment of the promise.	15 And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise.
16 Human beings, of course, swear an oath by something greater than themselves, and between them,confirmation by an oath puts an end to al dispute.	16 For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy.
17 In the same way, when God wanted to show the heirs of the promise even more clearly howunalterable his plan was, he conveyed it by an oath	17 Wherein God, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath:
18 so that through two unalterable factors in which God could not be lying, we who have fled to him mighthave a vigorous encouragement to grasp the hope held out to us.	18 That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us.
19 This is the anchor our souls have, reaching right through inside the curtain	19 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil;
20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever, of theorder of Melchizedek.	20 Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.