Chapter 6 Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying
on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this will we do, if God permit.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the
heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good
word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away,
to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son
of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth
forth herbs, meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God.
But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing,
whose end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany
salvation, though we thus speak.
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have
shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full
assurance of hope unto the end, that ye be not slothful, but followers of
them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater,
he swear by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and
multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
For men verily swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an
end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the
immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things,
in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,
who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast,
and which entereth into that within the veil.
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.