Hebrews 10 - 13

10:1 For the law, having an outline but not the image of the good things coming [inside of Christ], with the same sacrifices offered each year continually, is never able to perfect and make complete those who draw near. 2 For would they not have ceased being offered? For the worshippers, having been cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But these sacrifices are bringing sins into mind every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins.

5 Therefore, coming into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but a body you have fitted together for me. 6 You have not thought well of burnt offerings and offerings for sin.” 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come, in the scroll of the book it is written of me, to do that which You desire, O God” (Psalm 40:6-8).

8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offerings for sin You have not wanted, nor have You been pleased with those things offered according to the law,” 9 then He said, “Behold I have come to do what you desire.” Thus, He takes away the first, that He might establish the second. 10 By God’s desire, we are already made holy [belonging only to God] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And indeed, every priest stands every day ministering, and repeatedly offering the same sacrifices which are never able to take away sins. 12 This One, moreover, having offered one unlimited sacrifice for sins, sat down inside of the right hand of God; 13 from now on waiting expectantly for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering, He has perfected those who are continuously being made holy by God.

15 Moreover the Holy Spirit bears witness to us when having said before: 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them, after those days, says the Lord; I will put My laws upon their hearts and upon their mind I will inscribe them, 17 and their sins and their lawless acts, I will not hold in mind anymore” (Jeremiah 31:33-34). 18 Where there is forgiveness and full release, there is no longer any offering for sin.

19 Therefore brethren, having already a free and bold proclamation of entrance into the Holiest inside the blood of Jesus 20 consecrating for us a newly sacrificed as well as a living way through the veil, that is, through His flesh; 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach [everything inside the Holiest] with a true heart, in full assurance of faith; having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil consciousness; and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast and take possession of the same speaking [speaking together] of our hope unwavering; for faithful indeed is the One who promised. 24 And let us think about one another to stimulate love and good works; 25 not abandoning the assembling of ourselves together, as is the practice with some; but encouraging one another and by so much more as you perceive the day coming near.

26 Indeed, if we willingly continue in [the consciousness of] sins [that is, refusing the entrance of the Holiest}, after we have received the acknowledgement of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [inside our consciousness 27 but a certain fear and expectation of judgment, a zealous fire that is ready to eat up that which opposes. 28 Anyone who ignores the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse penalty, do you think, will he be worthy who has disregarded the Son of God and placed no value on the blood of the covenant in which he was made holy [utterly devoted to God] and treated contemptuously the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Full vindication is mine, I will give back in like manner,” and again, “the Lord will judge His people” (Deuteronomy 32:35-36). 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. {The writer is positioning these lines inside the context of “sin” being defined as NOT entering boldly into the Holiest, not entering into the full rest of our union with Christ – as in Chapters 3 & 4.}

32 Remember, as well, the former days in which you were brought into the light, having endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 both in being made a spectacle by false accusations as well as in great pressures and in sharing together with others passing through the same. 34 Indeed, you shared suffering together with those bound and you accepted with joy the plundering of your existence, knowing you yourselves already possess a more excellent and abiding existence. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your boldness of freedom [to live inside the Holiest], which has a great reward. 36 Indeed, you have need of endurance, so that, having done what God desires [embraced living only in the Holiest – no consciousness of sins] you might receive the promise.

37 “Yet indeed, by very little the vision coming [see Habakkuk 2] will arrive without delay. 38 Moreover, My righteous ones live out from faith; but if anyone might draw back, My soul delights not in him” (Habakkuk 2:3-4). 39 We, however, are not of those drawing back into loss [drawing back from the Holiest into weeping over sin], but we are of faith into taking ownership and full possession of our soul [of our self-identity – as everything in the Holiest].

{Note that everything leading up to Chapter 10, verses 19-22 is written for the purpose of driving home our bold entrance into all that is God entirely by faith and with NO consciousness of sins. Everything that follows, then is to drive home the folly of not entering into the Holiest, but rather, to mope around in unbelief and in the thinking of always falling short of God, positioning us as the readers as NOT being among those who draw back. Then, the entirety of Chapter 11 is an attempt by the writer to underscore and expand on, to emphasize and to clarify one phrase – in full assurance of faith.}


11:1 Now, faith is the substance and underlying reality of things hoped for, the proof of things not now being perceived. 2 For through faith people of long ago bore witness. 3 Through faith we understand that the ages are formed and completed by the speaking of God, such that the things we perceive  come into being out from what is not visible. [See Romans 4:17.]

4 Through [full assurance of] faith Abel offered to God a more valuable sacrifice than Cain; through which he received the witness of being just and innocent, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through them, he still speaks, though having died. 5 Through faith Enoch was transferred and changed, not to perceive death, and he was not found, because God had transferred him over. Before being transferred, he was affirmed as having been well-pleasing to God. 6 Moreover, without faith one is incapable of pleasing God; indeed, it behooves the one approaching God [in the Holiest] to believe that God is and that He becomes the rewarder of those seeking out and requiring of Him.

7 Through [full assurance of] faith, Noah, having been warned [by God] concerning the things not yet perceived, having been moved with caution, constructed an ark for the salvation of his household; through which he condemned the world and became heir of the just innocence that is according to faith.

8 Being called through [full assurance of] faith, Abraham responded by going out into the place he was about to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 Through faith he sojourned [dwelt as a stranger] in the land of promise, since it belonged to others, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, joint-heirs together with him of the same promise. 10 For he was expecting the city having foundations, whose engineer and builder is God. 11 Through faith even Sarah herself, barren beyond the time of child-bearing, received power into the conception of sperm, since she considered the One having promised to be faithful. 12 Therefore, from one impotent man were born many even as the stars of the heaven in multitude and countless as the sand by the shore of the sea.

13 According to [full assurance of] faith, these all died, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar and having embraced them and having confessed that they are strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 Those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking their own native home. 15 Indeed, if they had brought back to mind the place from whence they had escaped, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Now, moreover, they eagerly yearned for a better homeland, that is, a homeland of the heavens [the Promise of the Spirit]; therefore, God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for He has made ready a city for them.

17 Through [full assurance of] faith Abraham offered up Isaac. Being proven, he offered up his only begotten son, the one having received the promises, 18 to whom it was said, “In Isaac will be reckoned your seed,” 19 having reasoned that God was able even to raise him out from the dead, from whence also he figuratively received him. 20 Through faith also, Isaac spoke good things about to come over Jacob and Esau. 21 Through faith Jacob, even while dying, spoke good things over each of the sons of Joseph and worshipped leaning on his staff. 22 Through faith Joseph, even while dying, brought to mind the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23 Through [full assurance of] faith Moses’ parents, when he was born, hid him three months, because they saw how fair and clever the little child was; and they were unconcerned about the edict of the king. 24 Through faith Moses, having become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 preferring, rather, to endure adversity together with the people of God, than to possess the temporary enjoyment of sin. 26 Having esteemed the wrongful condemnation of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, indeed he was looking away into the reward. 27 Through faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king; indeed, he endured steadfastly as seeing and experiencing the One who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one destroying the firstborn would not touch them. 29 Through faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were swallowed up.

30 Through [full assurance of] faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days. 31 Through faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who refused to be persuaded, having received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? Time would indeed fail me in the telling of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David also, and Samuel and the prophets; 33 who through [full assurance of] faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions; 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the bite of the sword, acquired strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, in putting to flight the armies of foreigners. 35 Women received their dead back by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting release, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others received trials of mockings and scourgings; yes, even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned; they were tried; they were sawn in two; in the slaughter of sword they were killed. They wandered in sheepskins and in goat’s skins, being destitute, being oppressed, being mistreated; 38 of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and in the holes of the earth.

39 And all these, bearing witness through their faith, did not receive the promise; 40 God, having perceived inside the core of His being [pro-seeing] something better for us, that apart from us they will not come to completion.


12:1 Therefore we also, being surrounded by a great company of witnesses, having set aside every encumbrance and the easily distracting [consciousness of] sins, through patient enduring, we should exercise ourselves in the great conflict set before us, 2 looking with purpose into Jesus, the source and the completion of our faith, who, looking instead at the joy and delight set before Him [the Church] endured the cross, thinking nothing of the shame, and sat down inside of the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider fully the One who patiently endured such great anti-speaking from sinners against Himself, that you should not grow weary to the point of fainting in your souls. 4 You have not yet set the blood towards the antagonizing of sin, 5 and you have forgotten the encouragement that He addresses to you as sons, “My Son, do not make light of the training of the Lord, nor become weary to the point of fainting when you are convinced by Him. 6 Indeed, whom the Lord loves, He disciplines, and flogs every son whom he openly welcomes and receives” (Proverbs 3:11-12).

7 If you patiently endure instruction and training, God is offering you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without training, of which all have become partakers, then you are bastards and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who trained us, and we paid attention to them. Shall we not also even more [through faith] place ourselves under the Father of spirits and live? 10 Truly, they trained us for a few days according to what seemed good to them, but He for our profit with Him, in order to share holiness with Him. 11 Moreover, training for the present does not seem to be fun, but distressing; afterward, however, to those having passed through the exercises, it gives in return the peaceful and profitable fruit of just innocence.

12 Therefore, lift up your drooping hands and your enfeebled knees [stop feeling sorry for yourself], 13 and make straight paths for your feet [your bold approach inside the Holiest], that what is lame should not worsen, but rather be healed.

14 Pursue peace with all, and holiness, that is, devotion to God, without which no one will perceive the Lord, 15 looking carefully lest any be falling short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up should crowd against to disturb you, and through this many might be stained [in their story of self], 16 lest there be any fornicator or unfit person among you such as Esau who sold his birthright for a meal. 17 You know also that afterward, wanting to inherit the good speaking [blessing], he was disqualified and could not find any change of mind, though he sought it with tears.

18 For you have not approached the mountain that could be touched, burning with fire, nor darkness and gloom and storm, 19 nor [have you approached] the echoing of the trumpet, nor a voice of words speaking, towards which those who heard excused themselves, asking not to be addressed with words. 20 For they could not bear being charged that, if even a wild beast should touch the mountain, it would be stoned. 21 And so fearful was that appearance that even Moses said, “I am trembling and greatly afraid.”

22 But you have approached Mount Zion, and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem and myriads of angels [everything inside the Holiest]. 23 [You have approached] the festival assembly [the gathering of the Feast of Tabernacles] and the church of the firstborn enrolled in the heavens. [You have approached] God, the Judge of all, and the already perfected spirits of the just. 24 [You have approached] Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant; and the sprinkling of blood speaking far better things than Abel’s.

25 Take heed lest you excuse yourself from the one speaking [inside your own heart]. If they did not flee away having refused the one instructing them on earth, how much less could we ever turn away from the one speaking out from the heavens. 26 Whose voice then shook the earth, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake, not only the earth, but also heaven” (Haggai 2:6). 27 This “Yet once more,” makes clear that the things being shaken will be changed, as created things, so that those things not being shaken should remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakeable kingdom, we hold onto and possess fully grace through which we worship God well-pleasingly, with reverence. 29 For our God is a consuming fire; 13:1 let brotherly love remain and abide.  


13:2 Do not be forgetful of hospitality, for through hospitality, some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are bound as sharing their bonds together with them, and those being mistreated, as if you yourself are also in their body.

4 Marriage is greatly valuable in all, and the marriage bed undefiled []; but the sexually immoral and adulterers God will judge.  5 Be without avarice in your manner of life, being satisfied with the active coming [of Christ] already now]. as He Himself said, “I will never let go of you nor leave you behind” (Matthew 28:20). 6 So, being filled with courage and good cheer, we say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What could man do to me?”

7 Remember those leading you in the way, who speak the word of God to you; observe carefully what comes out from their way of living; imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and into the ages.

9 Do not be misled or seduced by various and strange teachings; it is good for the heart to be established by grace, not foods, [] in which those devoted do not gain anything. 10 But we have an altar out from which to eat, to which those serving the old tabernacle have no right.

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose sacrificial blood is brought into the Holiest by the high priest, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore, Jesus also, that He might make the people holy [utterly connected with God] through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore, we should go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach, that is, the accusations against Him. 14 Indeed, we do not have an abiding city here [in our present circumstances], but we are seeking for one ready to come. 15 Through Him, then, we should offer the sacrifice of praise through everything to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, speaking together His same name. 16 And do not be forgetful of doing good in the koinonia of sharing, indeed, such sacrifices are well pleasing to God.

17 Have confidence in those who are leading you, and yield to them as they watch over your souls [your self-story], as they restore word to you; that they might do this with joy and not grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us; we are persuaded indeed that we possess a good consciousness, desiring to live well inside of all. 19 Even more, I exhort you to pray that I might return to visit you soon.

20 Now, may the God of peace, having brought our Lord Jesus out from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, inside of the blood of the age-unfolding covenant, 21 complete, equip, and fit you together inside of everything good, into doing His desire, as He does inside of us what is well-pleasing in His presence, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory into the seasons of the ages. Let it be so; it is so.

22 Moreover, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, bear with my word of encouragement and comfort, through these few words I have written to you. 23 You know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I will see you, if he should come soon. 24 Greet all those leading you, and all the saints. I greet you, with those from Italy. 25 Grace be with all of you. Let it be so; it is so.

{Note: The writing style through most of Hebrews is quite different from Paul’s. But somewhere in this last chapter, the style switches. It seems that the “few words” is Paul tacking on just a bit to this letter written by someone else under his ministry.}