Hebrews 6

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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 Therefore, let us leave behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity, without laying the foundation all over again: repentance from dead works and faith in God,
2 the teaching about baptisms and the laying -- on of hands, about the resurrection of the dead andeternal judgement.	2 instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
3 This, God willing, is what we propose to do.	3 And we shall do this, if only God permits.
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 in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the holy Spirit
5 and tasted the goodness of God's message and the powers of the world to come	5 and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age 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 then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves and holding him up to contempt.
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 Ground that has absorbed the rain falling upon it repeatedly and brings forth crops useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a 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 if it produces thorns and thistles, it is rejected; it will soon be cursed and finally burned.
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 we are sure in your regard, beloved, of better things related to salvation, even though we speak in this way.
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 so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.
11 Our desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same enthusiasm til the ultimatefulfilment of your hope,	11 We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end,
12 never growing careless, but taking as your model those who by their faith and perseverance are heirsof the promises.	12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting 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 When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, "he swore by himself,"
14 I will shower blessings on you and give you many descendants.	14 and said, "I will indeed bless you and multiply" you.
15 Because of that, Abraham persevered and received fulfilment of the promise.	15 And so, after patient waiting, 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 Human beings swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument.
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 So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with 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 so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.
19 This is the anchor our souls have, reaching right through inside the curtain	19 This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind 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 Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.