Warning against Neglect

For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.(A) For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding[a](B) and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment,(C) how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?(D) This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.(E) At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.(F)

Jesus and Humanity

For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. But someone somewhere has testified:

What is man that you remember him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
You made him lower than the angels
for a short time;
you crowned him with glory and honor[b]
and subjected everything under his feet.[c]

For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.(G) But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death(H) for everyone—crowned with glory and honor(I) because he suffered death.(J)

10 For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer[d] of their salvation perfect through sufferings.(K) 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.[e] That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,(L) 12 saying:

I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.[f](M)

13 Again, I will trust in him.[g] And again, Here I am with the children God gave me.[h](N)

14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil(O) 15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.(P) 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring.(Q) 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters[i] pertaining to God, to make atonement[j](R) for the sins of the people.(S) 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Footnotes

  1. 2:2 Or valid, or reliable
  2. 2:7 Other mss add and set him over the works of your hands
  3. 2:6–8 Ps 8:4–6 LXX
  4. 2:10 Or source, or leader
  5. 2:11 Or father, or origin; lit all are of one
  6. 2:12 Ps 22:22
  7. 2:13 2Sm 22:3 LXX; Is 8:17 LXX; 12:2 LXX
  8. 2:13 Is 8:18 LXX
  9. 2:17 Lit things
  10. 2:17 Or propitiation

Warning to Pay Attention

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.(A) For since the message spoken(B) through angels(C) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,(D) how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?(E) This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,(F) was confirmed to us by those who heard him.(G) God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,(H) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit(I) distributed according to his will.(J)

Jesus Made Fully Human

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone(K) has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?(L)
You made them a little[a] lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
    and put everything under their feet.”[b][c](M)

In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor(N) because he suffered death,(O) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.(P)

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists,(Q) should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.(R) 11 Both the one who makes people holy(S) and those who are made holy(T) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g](U) 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[h](V)

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”[i](W)

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j](X)

14 Since the children have flesh and blood,(Y) he too shared in their humanity(Z) so that by his death he might break the power(AA) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil(AB) 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear(AC) of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.(AD) 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k](AE) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful(AF) and faithful high priest(AG) in service to God,(AH) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.(AI) 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
  2. Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
  3. Hebrews 2:8 Or You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ and put everything under his feet.”
  4. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  5. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  6. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  7. Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
  8. Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
  9. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
  10. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
  11. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers