
{1}1{/}

{I}1_{/}God has spoken in 
the past to our ancestors 
through the prophets, in 
many different ways, 
although never 
completely; {I}2_{/}but 
in our times he has 
spoken definitively to us 
through his Son.
He is the one God 
appointed heir of all 
things, since through him 
he unfolded the stages of 
the world.
{I}3_{/}He is the 
radiance of God's Glory 
and bears the stamp of 
God's hidden being, so 
that his powerful word 
upholds the universe. And 
after taking away sin, he 
took his place at the 
right hand of the divine 
Majesty in heaven.
{I}4_{/}So he is now far 
superior to angels just 
as the name he received 
sets him apart from them. 
{I}5_{/}To what angel did 
God say: You are my son, 
I have begotten you 
today? and to what angel 
did he promise: I shall 
be a father to him and he 
will be a son to me? 
{I}6_{/}On sending his 
Firstborn to the world, 
God says: Let all the 
angels adore him. 
{I}7_{/}Whereas about 
angels we find words like 
these: God sends the 
angels like wind, makes 
his servants flames of 
fire. {I}8_{/}But of the 
Son we read this: Your 
throne, O God, will last 
forever and ever; a rule 
of justice is your rule. 
{I}9_{/}You loved 
righteousness and hated 
wickedness; therefore 
God, your God, has 
anointed you with the oil 
of gladness, above your 
fellow kings.
{I}10_{/}And also these 
words: Lord, in the 
beginning you placed the 
earth on its foundation 
and the heavens are the 
work of your hands. 
{I}11_{/}They will 
disappear, but you 
remain. They will be for 
you like an old garment; 
{I}12_{/}you will fold 
them like a cloak and 
change them. You, on the 
contrary, are always the 
same and your years will 
never end.
{I}13_{/}God never said 
to any of his angels: Sit 
here at my right side 
until I put your enemies 
as a footstool under your 
feet. {I}14_{/}For all 
these spirits are only 
servants, and God sends 
them to help those who 
shall be saved.
{1}2{/}

{I}1_{/}So we must pay 
the closest attention to 
the preaching we heard, 
lest we drift away. 
{I}2_{/}If words spoken 
through angels became law 
and all disobedience or 
neglect received its due 
reward, {I}3_{/}how could 
we now escape if we 
neglect such powerful 
salvation? For the Lord 
himself announced it 
first and it was later 
confirmed by those who 
heard it. {I}4_{/}God 
confirmed their testimony 
by signs, wonders and 
miracles of every kind - 
especially by the gifts 
of the Holy Spirit which 
he distributed according 
to his will.
{I}5_{/}The angels were 
not given dominion over 
the new world of which we 
are speaking. 
{I}6_{/}Instead someone 
declared in Scripture: 
What is man, that you 
should be mindful of him, 
what is the son of man 
that you should care for 
him? {I}7_{/}For a while 
you placed him a little 
lower than the angels, 
but you crowned him with 
glory and honor. 
{I}8_{/}You have given 
him dominion over all 
things.
When it is said that God 
gave him dominion over 
all things, nothing is 
excluded. As it is, we do 
not yet see his dominion 
over all things. 
{I}9_{/}But Jesus who 
suffered death and for a 
little while was placed 
lower than the angels has 
been crowned with honor 
and glory. For the 
merciful plan of God 
demanded that he 
experience death on 
behalf of everyone.
{I}10_{/}God, from whom 
all come and by whom all 
things exist, wanted to 
bring many children to 
glory, and he thought it 
fitting to make perfect 
through suffering the 
initiator of their 
salvation. {I}11_{/}So he 
who gives and those who 
receive holiness are one. 
He himself is not ashamed 
of calling us brothers 
and sisters, {I}12_{/}as 
we read: Lord, I will 
proclaim your name to my 
brothers; I will praise 
you in the congregation. 
{I}13_{/}He also says: I 
will trust in God; here I 
am and the children God 
has given me. 
{I}14_{/}And because all 
those children share one 
same nature of flesh and 
blood, Jesus likewise had 
to share this nature. 
This is why his death 
destroyed the one holding 
the power of death, that 
is the devil, 
{I}15_{/}and freed those 
who remained in bondage 
all their lifetime 
because of the fear of 
death.
{I}16_{/}Jesus came to 
take by the hand not the 
angels but the human 
race. {I}17_{/}So he had 
to be like his brothers 
and sisters in every 
respect, in order to be 
the High Priest faithful 
to God and merciful to 
them, a priest able to 
ask pardon and atone for 
their sins. 
{I}18_{/}Having been 
tested through suffering, 
he is able to help those 
who are tested.
CHRIST CAME AS THE NEW 
MOSES{/}

{1}3{/}

{I}1_{/}Therefore, holy 
brothers, called to a 
supernatural vocation, 
consider Jesus, the 
apostle and High Priest 
of our faith.
{I}2_{/}He is faithful to 
God who appointed him, 
just as Moses was a 
faithful steward over 
God's household 
{I}3_{/}but Jesus 
deserves much greater 
honor than Moses, since 
he who builds the house 
is greater than the 
house. {I}4_{/}As every 
house has a builder, God 
is the builder of all. 
{I}5_{/}It is said that 
Moses was found faithful 
as a servant of God over 
all his household, and as 
witness of a former 
revelation from God. 
{I}6_{/}Christ came as 
the Son, to whom the 
house belongs; and we are 
his household, provided 
that we stand firm in 
hope and courage.
{I}7_{/}Listen to what 
the Holy Spirit says: If 
only you would hear God's 
voice today! {I}8_{/}Do 
not be stubborn, as they 
were in the place called 
Rebellion, {I}9_{/}when 
your ancestors challenged 
me in the desert, 
although they had seen my 
deeds {I}10_{/}for forty 
years. That is why I was 
angry with those people 
and said: Their hearts 
are always going astray 
and they do not 
understand my ways. 
{I}11_{/}I was angry and 
made a solemn vow: They 
will never enter my rest.
{I}12_{/}So, brothers, be 
careful lest some of you 
come to have an evil and 
unbelieving heart that 
falls away from the 
living God. 
{I}13_{/}Encourage one 
another, day by day, as 
long as it is called 
today. Let no one become 
hardened in the deceitful 
way of sin. {I}14_{/}We 
are associated with 
Christ provided we hold 
steadfastly to our 
initial hope until the 
end.
{I}15_{/}Scripture says: 
If you hear God's voice, 
do not be stubborn as 
they were in the place 
called Rebellion. 
{I}16_{/}Who are those 
who having heard still 
rebelled? They were all 
those who came out of 
Egypt with Moses. 
{I}17_{/}With whom was 
God angry for forty 
years? With those who 
sinned and whose bodies 
fell in the desert. 
{I}18_{/}To whom did God 
swear that they would not 
enter into his rest? To 
those who had disobeyed. 
{I}19_{/}We see then that 
unbelief prevented them 
from reaching their rest.
{1}4{/}

{I}1_{/}Therefore let us 
fear while we are invited 
to enter the rest of God, 
lest any of you be left 
behind. {I}2_{/}We have 
been invited like them. 
But the message they 
heard did not benefit 
them because they did not 
hold to this belief. 
{I}3_{/}We are now to 
enter this rest because 
we believed, as it was 
said: I was angry and 
made a solemn vow: they 
will never enter my rest 
- that is the rest of God 
after he created the 
world. {I}4_{/}In another 
part it was said about 
the seventh day: And God 
rested on the seventh day 
from all his works. 
{I}5_{/} But now it is 
said: They will not enter 
my rest.  {I}6_{/}We must 
conclude that some will 
enter the rest of God and 
that those who first 
received the good news 
did not, because of their 
disobedience. {I}7_{/}Yet 
God again assigns a day 
when he says: today, and 
declares through David 
many years later: If you 
hear God's voice today, 
do not be stubborn.
{I}8_{/}So it was not 
Joshua who let them enter 
the land of rest; 
otherwise God would not 
have assigned another day 
later on. {I}9_{/}Then 
some other rest, or 
sabbath, is reserved for 
the people of God. 
{I}10_{/}For those who 
enter this rest of God 
rest from all their works 
as God rests from his 
work.
{I}11_{/}Let us strive, 
then, to enter the rest 
and not to share the 
misfortune of those who 
disobeyed. {I}12_{/}For 
the word of God is living 
and effective, sharper 
than any two-edged sword. 
It pierces to the 
division of soul and 
spirit, of joints and 
marrow, and judges the 
intentions and thoughts 
of the heart. 
{I}13_{/}All creation is 
transparent to Him; 
everything is uncovered 
and laid bare to the eyes 
of Him to whom we render 
account.
CHRIST IS OUR HIGH 
PRIEST{/}

{I}14_{/}We have a great 
High Priest, Jesus, the 
Son of God, who has 
entered heaven. Let us, 
then, hold fast to the 
faith we profess. 
{I}15_{/}Our high priest 
is not indifferent to our 
weaknesses, for he was 
tempted in every way just 
as we are, yet without 
sinning. {I}16_{/}Let us, 
then, with confidence 
approach God, the giver 
of grace; we will obtain 
mercy and, through his 
favor, help in due time.
{1}5{/}

{I}1_{/}Every High Priest 
is taken from among 
mortals and appointed to 
be their representative 
before God to offer gifts 
and sacrifices for sin. 
{I}2_{/}He is able to 
understand the ignorant 
and erring for he himself 
is subject to weakness. 
{I}3_{/}This is why he is 
bound to offer sacrifices 
for his sins as well as 
for the sins of the 
people. {I}4_{/}Besides, 
one does not presume to 
take this dignity, but 
takes it only when called 
by God, as Aaron was.
{I}5_{/}Nor did Christ 
become High Priest in 
taking upon himself this 
dignity, but it was given 
to him by the One who 
says: You are my son, I 
have begotten you today. 
{I}6_{/}And in another 
place: You are a priest 
forever in the priestly 
order of Melchizedek.
{I}7_{/}Christ, in the 
days of his mortal life, 
offered his sacrifice 
with tears and cries. He 
prayed to him who could 
save him from death, and 
he was heard because of 
his humble submission. 
{I}8_{/}Although he was 
Son, he learned through 
suffering what obedience 
was, {I}9_{/}and once 
made perfect, he became 
the source of eternal 
salvation for those who 
obey him. {I}10_{/}This 
is how God proclaimed him 
Priest in the order of 
Melchizedek.
YOU SHOULD BE TEACHERS{/}

{I}11_{/}About this we 
have much to say, but it 
is difficult to explain, 
for you have become dull 
in understanding. 
{I}12_{/}You should be 
teachers by this time, 
but in fact you need to 
be taught again the basic 
elements of God's 
teaching. You need milk, 
not solid food. 
{I}13_{/}Those fed with 
milk are still infants: 
this refers to those who 
have not been tested in 
the way of righteousness. 
{I}14_{/}Solid food is 
for adults who have 
trained themselves to 
distinguish good from 
evil.
{1}6{/}

{I}1_{/}Therefore let us 
leave the elementary 
teaching about Christ and 
move forward to a more 
advanced knowledge 
without laying again the 
foundation, that is: 
turning away from dead 
works, faith in God, 
{I}2_{/}the teaching 
about baptisms and laying 
on of hands, the 
resurrection of the dead 
and the final judgment. 
{I}3_{/}This is what we 
shall do, God permitting.
{I}4_{/}In any case, it 
would be impossible to 
renew again through 
penance those who have 
once been enlightened and 
have tasted the heavenly 
gift and received the 
Holy Spirit, 
{I}5_{/}tasted the beauty 
of the word of God and 
the wonders of the 
supernatural world. 
{I}6_{/}If in spite of 
this they have ceased to 
believe and have fallen 
away, it is impossible to 
move them a second time 
to repentance when they 
are crucifying, on their 
own account, the Son of 
God, and spurning him 
publicly. {I}7_{/}Soil 
that drinks the rain 
falling continually on it 
and produces profitable 
grass for those who till 
it, receives the 
blessings of God, 
{I}8_{/}but the soil that 
produces thorns and 
bushes is poor soil and 
in danger of being 
cursed. In the end it 
will be burned.
REMAIN FIRM IN OUR 
HOPE{/}

{I}9_{/}Yet even though 
we speak like this, we 
are more optimistic, dear 
friends, regarding you 
and your salvation. 
{I}10_{/}God is not 
unjust and will not 
forget everything you 
have done for love of his 
name; you have helped and 
still help the believers. 
{I}11_{/}We desire each 
of you to have, until the 
end, the same zeal for 
reaching what you have 
hoped for. {I}12_{/}Do 
not grow careless but 
imitate those who, by 
their faith and 
determination, inherit 
the promise.
{I}13_{/}Remember God's 
promise to Abraham. God 
wanted to confirm it with 
an oath and, as no one is 
higher than God, 
{I}14_{/}he swore by 
himself: I shall bless 
you and give you many 
descendants. {I}15_{/}By 
just patiently waiting, 
Abraham obtained the 
promise.
{I}16_{/}People are used 
to swearing by someone 
higher than themselves 
and their oath affirms 
everything that could be 
denied. {I}17_{/}So God 
committed himself with an 
oath in order to convince 
those who were to wait 
for his promise that he 
would never change his 
mind. {I}18_{/}Thus we 
have two certainties in 
which it is impossible 
that God be proved false: 
promise and oath. That is 
enough to encourage us 
strongly when we leave 
everything to hold to the 
hope set before us. 
{I}19_{/}This hope is 
like a spiritual anchor, 
secure and firm, thrust 
beyond the curtain of the 
Temple into the sanctuary 
itself, {I}20_{/}where 
Jesus has entered ahead 
of us - Jesus, High 
Priest for ever in the 
order of Melchizedek.
MELCHIZEDEK, A FIGURE OF 
CHRIST{/}

{1}7{/}

{I}1_{/}Scripture says 
that Melchizedek, king of 
Salem, priest of the Most 
High God, came out to 
meet Abraham who returned 
from defeating the kings. 
He blessed Abraham and 
Abraham gave him a tenth 
of everything.
{I}2_{/}Let us note that 
the name Melchizedek 
means King of Justice, 
and that king of Salem 
means king of Peace. 
{I}3_{/}There is no 
mention of father, mother 
or genealogy; nothing is 
said about the beginning 
or the end of his life. 
In this he is the figure 
of the Son of God, the 
priest who remains 
forever.
{I}4_{/}See then how 
great Melchizedek was. 
Even Abraham gave him a 
tenth of the spoils! 
{I}5_{/}When the 
descendants of Levi are 
consecrated priests, they 
are commanded to collect 
tithes from their people, 
that is from their 
kindred, who are too, are 
descendants of Abraham. 
{I}6_{/}Here, however, 
Melchizedek, who does not 
belong to the family of 
the Levites, is given 
tithes from Abraham. 
Still more, he blesses 
him, the man of God's 
promise. {I}7_{/}There is 
no doubt that he who 
blesses is higher than 
the one who is blessed. 
{I}8_{/}In the first case 
we see that tithes are 
received by those who are 
mortals; here instead, 
Melchizedek is mentioned 
as one who lives on.
{I}9_{/}When Abraham pays 
the tenth, it is, so to 
speak, the Levites, 
receivers of the tithes, 
who pay the tithe, 
{I}10_{/}because, in a 
way, Levi was still in 
the body of Abraham, his 
ancestor, when 
Melchizedek met him.
{I}11_{/}The institutions 
of the chosen people are 
founded upon the 
Levitical priesthood, but 
with it they could not 
attain what is perfect 
and permanent. If that 
were possible, why would 
there be need of another 
priest after the order of 
Melchizedek instead of 
Aaron's? {I}12_{/}If 
there is a change in the 
priesthood, the Law also 
has to be changed. 
{I}13_{/}Jesus, to whom 
all this has reference, 
was from a tribe that 
never served at the 
altar. {I}14_{/}All know 
that he belonged to the 
tribe of Judah that is 
not mentioned by Moses 
when he speaks of the 
priesthood.
{I}15_{/}All this, 
however, becomes clear if 
this priest after the 
likeness of Melchizedek 
{I}16_{/}has in fact 
received his mission, not 
on the basis of any human 
law, but by the power of 
an immortal life. 
{I}17_{/}Because 
Scripture says: You are a 
priest forever in the 
priestly order of 
Melchizedek. 
{I}18_{/}With this the 
former disposition is 
removed as insufficient 
and useless {I}19_{/}(for 
the Law did not bring 
anything to perfection). 
At the same time a better 
hope is given to us: that 
of drawing near to God.
{I}20_{/}This change is 
confirmed by God's oath. 
When the others became 
priests, God did not 
compromise himself with 
an oath, {I}21_{/}but 
Jesus is confirmed with 
an oath, as it is said: 
The Lord has sworn and 
will not change his mind: 
you are a priest forever. 
{I}22_{/}Therefore, Jesus 
is our assurance of a 
better covenant.
{I}23_{/}The former 
priests were many since, 
as mortal men, they could 
not remain in office. 
{I}24_{/}But Jesus 
remains forever and the 
priesthood shall not be 
taken from him. 
{I}25_{/}Consequently he 
is able to save for all 
time those who approach 
God through him. He 
always lives to intercede 
on their behalf.
{I}26_{/}It was fitting 
that our High Priest be 
holy, undefiled, set 
apart from sinners and 
exalted above the 
heavens; {I}27_{/}a 
priest who does not first 
need to offer sacrifice 
for himself before 
offering for the sins of 
the people, as high 
priests do. He offered 
himself in sacrifice once 
and for all. {I}28_{/}And 
whereas the Law elected 
weak men as high priests, 
now, after the Law, the 
word of God with an oath 
appointed the Son, made 
perfect forever.
A NEW SANCTUARY AND A NEW 
COVENANT{/}

{1}8{/}

{I}1_{/}The main point of 
what we are saying is 
that we have a high 
priest. He is seated at 
the right hand of the 
divine majesty in heaven, 
{I}2_{/}where he serves 
as minister of the true 
temple and sanctuary, set 
up not by any mortal but 
by the Lord.
{I}3_{/}A high priest is 
appointed to offer to God 
gifts and sacrifices, and 
Jesus also has to offer 
some sacrifice. 
{I}4_{/}Had he remained 
on earth, he would not be 
a priest, since others 
offer the gifts according 
to the Law. {I}5_{/}In 
fact, the ritual 
celebrated by those 
priests is only an 
imitation and shadow of 
the supernatural ritual. 
We know the word of God 
to Moses with regard to 
the construction of the 
holy tent. He said: You 
are to make everything 
according to the pattern 
shown to you on the 
mountain.
{I}6_{/}Now, however, 
Jesus enjoys a much 
higher ministry in being 
the mediator of a better 
covenant, founded on 
better promises. 
{I}7_{/}If all had been 
perfect in the first 
covenant, there would 
have been no need for 
another one. {I}8_{/}Yet 
God sees defects when he 
says:
The days are coming - it 
is the word of the Lord - 
when I will draw up a new 
covenant with the people 
of Israel and with the 
people of Judah.
{I}9_{/}It will not be 
like the covenant that I 
made with their ancestors 
on the day I took them by 
the hand and led them out 
of Egypt. They did not 
keep my covenant, and so 
I myself have forsaken 
them, says the Lord.
{I}10_{/}But this is the 
covenant that I will make 
with the people of Israel 
in the days to come: I 
will put my laws into 
their minds and write 
them on their hearts. I 
will be their God and 
they will be my people.
{I}11{/}None of them will 
have to teach one another 
or say to each other: 
Know the Lord, for they 
will know me from the 
least to the greatest. 
{I}12_{/}I will forgive 
their sins and no longer 
remember their wrongs.
{I}13_{/}Here we are 
being told of a new 
covenant; which means 
that the first one had 
become obsolete, and what 
is obsolete and aging is 
soon to disappear.
THE TEMPLE IN 
JERUSALEM{/}

{1}9{/}

{I}1_{/}The first 
covenant had rites and 
regulations. There was 
also a sanctuary - an 
earthly one. {I}2{/}A 
first room had the 
lampstand, the table and 
the bread of the 
presence. This room is 
called the Holy Place. 
{I}3_{/}Behind the second 
curtain, there is a 
second sanctuary called 
the Most Holy Place, 
{I}4_{/}with the gold 
altar for the burning of 
incense, and the ark of 
the Covenant, fully 
covered with gold. The 
ark contained a golden 
jar holding the manna, 
Aaron's rod that had 
sprouted leaves and the 
two slabs of the 
covenant. {I}5_{/}Above 
the ark the two cherubim 
of glory overshadowed the 
Seat of Mercy. But we 
cannot here describe it 
in detail.
{I}6_{/}With everything 
arranged as described, 
the priests continually 
enter the first room to 
fulfill their ministry; 
{I}7_{/}but the High 
Priest enters only once a 
year the second one, and 
not without bringing the 
blood which he will offer 
for himself and for the 
sins of the people. 
{I}8_{/}By this, the Holy 
Spirit teaches us that 
the way into the inner 
sanctuary is not open as 
long as the first room 
still stands. 
{I}9_{/}Here is a 
teaching by means of 
figures for the present 
age: the gifts and 
sacrifices presented to 
God cannot bring the 
people offering them to 
interior perfection. 
{I}10_{/}These are no 
more than food, drink and 
different kinds of 
cleansing by water; all 
these are human 
regulations awaiting a 
reformation.
JESUS ENTERED WITH HIS 
OWN BLOOD{/}

{I}11_{/}But now Christ 
has appeared as the high 
priest with regard to the 
good things of these new 
times. He passed through 
a sanctuary more noble 
and perfect, not made by 
hands, that is, not 
created. {I}12_{/}He did 
not take with himself the 
blood of goats and bulls 
but his own blood, when 
he entered once and for 
all into this sanctuary 
after obtaining 
definitive redemption. 
{I}13_{/}If the 
sprinkling of people 
defiled by sin with the 
blood of goats and bulls 
or with the ashes of a 
heifer provides them with 
exterior cleanness and 
holiness, {I}14_{/}how 
much more will it be with 
the blood of Christ? He, 
moved by the eternal 
Spirit, offered himself 
as an unblemished victim 
to God and his blood 
cleanses us from dead 
works, so that we may 
serve the living God.
{I}15_{/}So Christ is the 
mediator of a new 
covenant or testament. 
His death made atonement 
for the sins committed 
under the old testament, 
and the promise is handed 
over to all who are 
called to the everlasting 
inheritance. 
{I}16_{/}With every 
testament it is necessary 
to wait until its author 
has died. {I}17_{/}For a 
testament infers death 
and has no value while 
the maker of it is still 
alive.
{I}18_{/}That is why the 
first covenant was not 
ratified without blood. 
{I}19_{/}Moses proclaimed 
to the assembled people 
all the commandments of 
the Law; then he took the 
blood of bulls and goats 
and mixed it with water, 
hyssop and red wool, and 
sprinkled the book of the 
Covenant and the people 
{I}20_{/}saying: This is 
the blood of the Covenant 
that God commanded you. 
{I}21_{/}In the same way 
he sprinkled with blood 
the Sanctuary and all the 
objects of the ritual. 
{I}22_{/}According to the 
Law, almost all 
cleansings have to be 
performed with blood; 
there is no forgiveness 
without the shedding of 
blood.
{I}23_{/}It was necessary 
that mere copies of 
supernatural realities be 
purified, but now these 
realities need better 
sacrifices. 
{I}24_{/}Christ did not 
enter some sanctuary made 
by hands, a copy of the 
true one, but heaven 
itself. He is now in the 
presence of God on our 
behalf. {I}25_{/}He had 
not to offer himself many 
times, as the High Priest 
does: he who may return 
every year, because the 
blood is not his own. 
{I}26_{/}Otherwise he 
would have suffered many 
times from the creation 
of the world. But no; he 
manifested himself only 
now at the end of the 
ages, to take away sin by 
sacrifice, {I}27_{/}and, 
as humans die only once 
and afterwards are 
judged, {I}28_{/}in the 
same way Christ 
sacrificed himself once 
to take away the sins of 
the multitude. There will 
be no further question of 
sin when he comes again 
to save those waiting for 
him.
THE OLD COVENANT 
PREFIGURES THE NEW{/}

{1}10{/}

{I}1_{/}The religion of 
the Law is only a shadow 
of the good things to 
come; it has the patterns 
but not the realities. 
So, year after year, the 
same sacrifices are 
offered without bringing 
the worshipers to what is 
the end. {I}2_{/}If they 
had been cleansed once 
and for all, they would 
no longer have felt guilt 
and would have stopped 
offering the same 
sacrifices. {I}3_{/}But 
no, year after year their 
sacrifices witness to 
their sins {I}4_{/}and 
never will the blood of 
bulls and goats take away 
these sins.
{I}5_{/}This is why on 
entering the world, 
Christ says: You did not 
desire sacrifice and 
offering; {I}6_{/}you 
were not pleased with 
burnt offerings and sin 
offerings. {I}7_{/}Then I 
said: "Here I am. It was 
written of me in the 
scroll. I will do your 
will, O God."
{I}8_{/}First he says: 
Sacrifice, offerings, 
burnt offerings and sin 
offerings you did not 
desire nor were you 
pleased with them - 
although they were 
required by the Law. 
{I}9_{/}Then he says: 
Here I am to do your 
will.
This is enough to nullify 
the first will and 
establish the new. 
{I}10_{/}Now, by this 
will of God, we are 
sanctified at once by the 
sacrifice of the body of 
Christ Jesus. 
{I}11_{/}So, whereas 
every priest stands daily 
by the altar offering 
repeatedly the same 
sacrifices that can never 
take away sins, 
{I}12_{/}Christ has 
offered for all times a 
single sacrifice for sins 
and has taken his seat at 
the right hand of God, 
{I}13_{/}waiting until 
God puts his enemies as a 
footstool under his feet. 
{I}14_{/}By a single 
sacrifice he has brought 
those who are sanctified 
to what is perfect 
forever. 
{I}15_{/}This also was 
testified by the Holy 
Spirit. For after having 
declared: {I}16_{/}This 
is the covenant that I 
will make with them in 
the days to come - says 
the Lord - I will put my 
laws in their hearts and 
write them on their 
minds. {I}17_{/}He says: 
Their sins and evil deeds 
I will remember no more. 
{I}18_{/}So, if sins are 
forgiven, there is no 
longer need of any 
sacrifice for sin.
BE CONFIDENT IN GOD{/}

{I}19_{/}So, my friends, 
we are assured of 
entering the Sanctuary by 
the blood of Jesus 
{I}20_{/}who opened for 
us this new and living 
way passing through the 
curtain, that is, his 
body. {I}21_{/}Because we 
have a high priest in 
charge of the House of 
God, {I}22_{/}let us 
approach with a sincere 
heart, with full faith, 
interiorly cleansed from 
a bad conscience and our 
bodies washed with pure 
water. 
{I}23_{/}Let us hold fast 
to our hope without 
wavering, because he who 
promised is faithful. 
{I}24_{/}Let us consider 
how we may spur one 
another to love and good 
works. {I}25_{/}Do not 
abandon the assemblies as 
some of you do, but 
encourage one another, 
and all the more since 
the Day is drawing near.
{I}26_{/}If we sin 
willfully after receiving 
knowledge of the truth, 
there is no longer 
sacrifice for sin, 
{I}27_{/}but only the 
fearful prospect of 
judgment and of fire 
which devours the 
rebellious. {I}28_{/}For 
whoever violated the law 
of Moses there is no 
mercy: is put to death by 
the testimony of two or 
three persons. 
{I}29_{/}What, then, do 
you think it will be for 
those who have despised 
the Son of God? How 
severely shall he be 
punished for having 
defiled the blood of the 
covenant by which they 
were sanctified and for 
having insulted the 
Spirit given to them? 
{I}30_{/}For we know the 
One who says: Revenge is 
mine, I will repay. And 
also: The Lord will judge 
his people. {I}31_{/}What 
a dreadful thing to fall 
into the hands of the 
living God.
{I}32_{/}Remember the 
first days when you were 
enlightened. You had to 
undergo a hard struggle 
in the face of suffering. 
{I}33_{/}Publicly you 
were exposed to 
humiliations and trials, 
and had to share the 
sufferings of others who 
were similarly treated. 
{I}34_{/}You showed 
solidarity with those in 
prison; you were 
dispossessed of your 
goods and accepted it 
gladly for you knew you 
were acquiring a much 
better and more durable 
possession. {I}35_{/}Do 
not now throw away your 
confidence which will be 
handsomely rewarded. 
{I}36_{/}Be patient in 
doing the will of God, 
and the promise will be 
yours: {I}37_{/}A little, 
a little longer - says 
Scripture - and he who is 
coming will come; he will 
not delay. {I}38_{/}My 
righteous one will live 
if he believes; but if he 
distrusts, I will no 
longer look kindly on 
him.
{I}39_{/}We are not among 
those who withdraw and 
perish, but among those 
who believe and win 
personal salvation.
REMEMBERING THE HEROES OF 
FAITH{/}

{1}11{/}

{I}1_{/}Faith is the way 
of holding onto what we 
hope for, being certain 
of what we cannot see. 
{I}2_{/}Because of their 
faith our ancestors were 
approved.
{I}3_{/}By faith we 
understand that the 
stages of creation were 
disposed by God's word, 
and what is visible came 
from what cannot be seen.
{I}4_{/}Because of Abel's 
faith his offering was 
more acceptable than that 
of his brother Cain, 
which meant he was 
upright, and God himself 
approved his offering. 
Because of this faith he 
cried to God, as said in 
Scripture, even after he 
died.
{I}5_{/}By faith Enoch 
was taken to Heaven, 
instead of experiencing 
death: he could not be 
found because God had 
taken him. In fact, it is 
said that before being 
taken up he had pleased 
God. {I}6_{/}Yet without 
faith it is impossible to 
please him: no one draws 
near to God without first 
believing that he exists 
and that he rewards those 
who seek him earnestly.
{I}7_{/}By faith Noah was 
instructed of events 
which could not yet be 
seen and, heeding what he 
heard, he built a boat in 
which to save his family. 
The faith of Noah 
condemned the world and 
he reached holiness born 
of faith.
{I}8_{/}It was by faith 
that Abraham, called by 
God, set out for a 
country that would be 
given to him as an 
inheritance; for he 
parted without knowing 
where he was going. 
{I}9_{/}By faith he lived 
as a stranger in that 
promised land. There he 
lived in tents, as did 
Isaac and Jacob, 
beneficiaries of the same 
promise. {I}10_{/}Indeed, 
he looked forward to that 
city of solid foundation 
of which God is the 
architect and builder.
{I}11_{/}By faith Sarah 
herself received power to 
become a mother, in spite 
of her advanced age; 
since she believed that 
he who had made the 
promise would be 
faithful. 
{I}12_{/}Therefore, from 
an almost impotent man 
were born descendants as 
numerous as the stars of 
heavens, as many as the 
grains of sand on the 
seashore.
{I}13_{/}Death found all 
these people strong in 
their faith. They had not 
received what was 
promised, but they had 
looked ahead and had 
rejoiced in it from afar, 
saying that they were 
foreigners and travelers 
on earth. {I}14_{/}Those 
who speak in this way 
prove that they are 
looking for their own 
country. {I}15_{/}For if 
they had longed for the 
land they had left, it 
would have been easy for 
them to return, 
{I}16_{/}but no, they 
aspired to a better city, 
that is, a supernatural 
one; so God, who prepared 
the city for them is not 
ashamed of being called 
their God.

{I}17_{/}By faith Abraham 
went to offer Isaac when 
God tested him. And so he 
who had received the 
promise of God offered 
his only son 
{I}18_{/}although God had 
told him: Isaac's 
descendants will bear 
your name. 
{I}19_{/}Abraham reasoned 
that God is capable even 
of raising the dead, and 
he received back his son, 
which has a figurative 
meaning.
{I}20_{/}By faith also 
Isaac blessed Jacob and 
Esau, determining their 
future. {I}21_{/}By faith 
Jacob, before he died, 
blessed both children of 
Joseph and worshiped as 
he leaned on his staff. 
{I}22_{/}By faith Joseph, 
when about to die, warned 
the children of Israel of 
their exodus and gave 
orders about his remains.
{I}23_{/}By faith the 
parents of the newlyborn 
Moses hid him for three 
months, for they saw the 
baby was very beautiful 
and they did not fear the 
order of Pharaoh. 
{I}24_{/}By faith Moses, 
already an adult, refused 
to be called son of 
Pharaoh's daughter. 
{I}25_{/}He preferred to 
share ill treatment with 
the people of God, rather 
than enjoy the passing 
pleasures of sin. 
{I}26_{/}He considered 
the humiliation of Christ 
as greater riches than 
the wealth of Egypt, and 
he looked ahead to his 
reward. {I}27_{/}By faith 
he left Egypt without 
fearing the king's anger, 
and he persevered as if 
he could see another 
invisible wrath.
{I}28_{/}By faith Moses 
had the Passover 
celebrated, sprinkling 
the doors with blood so 
that the Destroyer would 
not kill their firstborn 
sons. {I}29_{/}By faith 
they crossed the Red Sea, 
as if on dry land, while 
the Egyptians who tried 
to cross it were 
swallowed by the waters 
and drowned. 
{I}30_{/}By faith the 
walls of Jericho crumbled 
and fell, after Israel 
had marched round them 
for seven days; 
{I}31_{/}by faith, also, 
the prostitute Rahab 
escaped death which 
befell the unbelievers 
for having welcomed the 
spies.
{I}32_{/}Do I need to say 
more? There is not enough 
time to speak of Gideon, 
Barak, Samson, Jephthah, 
David, as well as Samuel 
and the prophets. 
{I}33_{/}Through faith 
they fought and conquered 
nations, established 
justice, saw the 
fulfillment of God's 
promises, shut the mouths 
of lions, 
{I}34_{/}quenched raging 
fire, escaped the sword, 
were healed of their 
sicknesses, were valiant 
in battle, repulsed 
foreign invaders.
{I}35_{/}Some women 
recovered their dead by 
resurrection but there 
were others - persecuted 
and tortured believers - 
who, for the sake of a 
better resurrection, 
refused to do what would 
have saved them. 
{I}36_{/}Others suffered 
chains and prison. 
{I}37_{/}They were 
stoned, sawn in two, 
killed by the sword. They 
fled from place to place 
with no other clothing 
than the skins of sheep 
and goats, lacking 
everything, afflicted, 
ill-treated. 
{I}38_{/}These people of 
whom the world was not 
worthy had to wander 
through wastelands and 
mountains, and take 
refuge in the dens of the 
land. 
{I}39_{/}However, 
although all of them were 
praised because of their 
faith, they did not enjoy 
the promise 
{I}40_{/}because God had 
us in mind and saw 
beyond. And he did not 
want them to reach this 
end ahead of us.
ACCEPT THE CORRECTION OF 
THE LORD{/}

{1}12{/}

{I}1_{/}What a cloud of 
innumerable witnesses 
surround us! So let us be 
rid of every encumbrance, 
and especially of sin, to 
persevere in running the 
race marked out before 
us.
{I}2_{/}Let us look to 
Jesus the founder of our 
faith, who will bring it 
to completion. For the 
sake of the joy reserved 
for him, he endured the 
cross, scorning its 
shame, and then sat at 
the right of the throne 
of God. {I}3_{/}Think of 
Jesus who suffered so 
many contradictions from 
evil people, and you will 
not be discouraged or 
grow weary. {I}4_{/}Have 
you already shed your 
blood in the struggle 
against sin?
{I}5_{/}Do not forget the 
comforting words that 
Wisdom addresses to you 
as children: My son, pay 
attention when the Lord 
corrects you and do not 
be discouraged when he 
punishes you. {I}6_{/}For 
the Lord corrects those 
he loves and chastises 
everyone he accepts as a 
son.
{I}7_{/}What you endure 
is in order to correct 
you. God treats you like 
sons and what son is not 
corrected by his father? 
{I}8_{/}If you were 
without correction which 
has been received by all, 
(as is fitting for sons), 
you would not be sons but 
bastards. 
{I}9_{/}Besides, when our 
parents according to the 
flesh corrected us, we 
respected them. How much 
more should we be subject 
to the Father of spirits 
to have life? 
{I}10_{/}Our parents 
corrected us as they saw 
fit, with a view to this 
very short life; but God 
corrects us for our own 
good that we may share 
his holiness.
{I}11_{/}All correction 
is painful at the moment, 
rather than pleasant; 
later it brings the fruit 
of peace, that is, 
holiness to those who 
have been trained by it.
{I}12_{/}Lift up, then, 
your drooping hands, and 
strengthen your trembling 
knees; {I}13_{/}make 
level the ways for your 
feet, so that the lame 
may not be disabled, but 
healed.
STRIVE TO BE HOLY{/}

{I}14_{/}Strive for peace 
with all and strive to be 
holy, for without 
holiness no one will see 
the Lord.
{I}15_{/}See that no one 
falls from the grace of 
God, lest a bitter plant 
spring up and its poison 
corrupt many among you. 
{I}16_{/}Let no one be 
immoral or irreligious 
like Esau, who sold his 
birthright for a single 
meal. {I}17_{/}You know 
that later, when he 
wished to get the 
blessing, he was rejected 
although he pleaded with 
tears.
{I}18_{/}Remember your 
initiation. There was no 
material presence nor 
heat of a blazing fire, 
darkness and gloom and 
storms... {I}19_{/}blasts 
of trumpets or such a 
voice that the people 
pleaded that no further 
word be spoken. 
{I}20_{/}All this was 
intended to have them 
respect the order not to 
approach: Every man or 
beast reaching the 
mountain shall be stoned. 
{I}21_{/}The sight was so 
terrifying that Moses 
said: I tremble with 
fear.
{I}22_{/}But you came 
near to Mount Zion, to 
the city of the living 
God, to the heavenly 
Jerusalem with its 
innumerable angels. You 
have come to the solemn 
feast, {I}23_{/}the 
assembly of the firstborn 
of God, whose names are 
written in heaven. There 
is God, Judge of all, 
with the spirits of the 
upright brought to 
perfection. 
{I}24_{/}There is Jesus, 
the mediator of the new 
covenant, with the 
sprinkled blood that 
cries out more 
effectively than Abel's.
{I}25_{/}Be careful not 
to reject God when he 
speaks. If those who did 
not heed the prophet's 
warnings were not spared 
on earth, how much more 
shall we be punished if 
we do not heed the One 
warning us from Heaven? 
{I}26_{/}His voice then 
shook the earth, but now 
he says: In this last 
time I will shake not 
only the earth but also 
the heavens.
{I}27_{/}The words in 
this last time indicate 
the removal of everything 
that can be shaken, that 
is, created things, and 
only those that cannot be 
shaken will remain. 
{I}28_{/}Such is the 
kingdom that we receive. 
Let us then be grateful 
and offer to God a 
worship pleasing to him 
with reverence and awe. 
{I}29_{/}Our God is 
indeed a consuming fire.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT{/}

{1}13{/}

{I}1_{/}Let mutual love 
continue. {I}2_{/}Do not 
neglect to offer 
hospitality; you know 
that some people have 
entertained angels 
without knowing it. 
{I}3_{/}Remember 
prisoners as if you were 
with them in chains, and 
the same for those who 
are suffering. Remember 
that you also have a 
body.
{I}4_{/}Marriage must be 
respected by all and 
husband and wife faithful 
to each other. God will 
punish the immoral and 
the adulterous.
{I}5_{/}Do not depend on 
money. Be content with 
having enough for today 
for God has said: I will 
never forsake you or 
abandon you, {I}6_{/}and 
we shall confidently 
answer: The Lord is my 
helper, I will not fear; 
what can man do to me? 
{I}7_{/}Remember your 
leaders who taught you 
the word of God. Consider 
their end and imitate 
their faith. 
{I}8_{/}Christ Jesus is 
the same today as 
yesterday and forever.
{I}9_{/}Do not be led 
astray by all kinds of 
strange teachings. Your 
heart will be 
strengthened by the grace 
of God rather than by 
foods of no use to 
anyone. {I}10_{/}We have 
an altar from which those 
still serving in the 
Temple cannot eat.
{I}11_{/}After the High 
Priest has offered the 
blood in the Sanctuary 
for the sins of the 
people, the carcasses of 
the animals are burnt 
outside the camp. 
{I}12_{/}For this same 
reason Jesus, to purify 
the people with his own 
blood, suffered his 
Passion outside the holy 
city. {I}13_{/}Let us, 
therefore, go to him 
outside the sacred area, 
sharing his shame. 
{I}14_{/}For we have here 
no lasting city and we 
are looking for the one 
to come.
{I}15_{/}Let us, then, 
continually offer through 
Jesus a sacrifice of 
praise to God, that is 
the fruit of lips 
celebrating his name. 
{I}16_{/}Do not neglect 
good works and common 
life, for these are 
sacrifices pleasing to 
God. {I}17_{/}Obey your 
leaders and submit to 
them, for they are 
concerned for your souls 
and are accountable for 
them. Let this be a joy 
for them rather than a 
burden, which would be of 
no advantage for you.
{I}18_{/}Pray for us, for 
we believe our intentions 
are pure and that we only 
want to act honorably in 
all things. {I}19_{/}Now 
I urge you all the more 
to pray for me that I may 
be given back to you the 
sooner.
{I}20_{/}May God give you 
peace, he who brought 
back from among the dead 
Jesus our Lord, the Great 
Shepherd of the sheep, 
whose blood seals the 
eternal covenant.
{I}21_{/}He will train 
you in every good work, 
that you may do his will, 
for it is he who works in 
us what pleases him, 
through Jesus Christ, to 
whom all glory be for 
ever and ever. Amen!
{I}22_{/}Brothers, I beg 
you to take these words 
of encouragement. For my 
part, I will add few 
words. {I}23_{/}Know that 
our brother Timothy has 
been released. If he 
comes soon I will visit 
you with him. 
{I}24_{/}Greetings to all 
your leaders and to the 
saints. Greetings from 
those in Italy.
{I}25_{/}Grace be with 
you all.

