Hebrews 6

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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,	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 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.	2 instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.	3 And we shall do this, if only God permits.
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,	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 Have moreover tasted the good word of God, 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 are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery.	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 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.	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 that which bringeth forth thorns and briers, is reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt.	8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is rejected; it will soon be cursed and finally burned.
9 But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus.	9 But we are sure in your regard, beloved, of better things related to salvation, even though we speak in this way.
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.	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 And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end:	11 We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end,
12 That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.	12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.
13 For God making promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself,	13 When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, "he swore by himself,"
14 Saying: Unless blessing I shall bless thee, and multiplying I shall multiply thee.	14 and said, "I will indeed bless you and multiply" you.
15 And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise.	15 And so, after patient waiting, he obtained the promise.
16 For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy.	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 Wherein God, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed 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 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.	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 Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil;	19 This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,
20 Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.	20 where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.