11:37. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted:
11:38. Of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in mountains and in dens and in caves of the earth.
11:39. And all these, being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise:
11:40. G.o.d providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us.
Hebrews Chapter 12
Exhortation to constancy under their crosses. The danger of abusing the graces of the New Testament.
12:1. And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:
12:2. Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who, having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of G.o.d.
12:3. For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds.
12:4. For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
12:5. And you have forgotten the consolation which speaketh to you, as unto children, saying: My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord: neither be thou wearied whilst thou art rebuked by him.
12:6. For whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth: and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
12:7. Persevere under discipline. G.o.d dealeth with you as with his sons.
For what son is there whom the father doth not correct?
12:8. But if you be without chastis.e.m.e.nt, whereof all are made partakers, then are you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds and not sons.
12:9. Moreover, we have had fathers of our flesh for instructors, and we reverenced them. Shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits and live?
12:10. And they indeed for a few days, according to their own pleasure, instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his sanctification.
12:11. Now all chastis.e.m.e.nt for the present indeed seemeth not to bring with it joy, but sorrow: but afterwards it will yield to them that are exercised by it the most peaceable fruit of justice.
12:12. Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees:
12:13. And make straight steps with your feet: that no one, halting, may go out of the way; but rather be healed.
12:14. Follow peace with all men and holiness: without which no man shall see G.o.d.
12:15. Looking diligently, lest any man be wanting to the grace of G.o.d: lest any root of bitterness springing up do hinder and by it many be defiled:
12:16. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person, as Esau who for one mess sold his first birthright.
12:17. For know ye that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the benediction, he was rejected. For he found no place of repentance, although with tears he had sought it.
He found, etc... That is, he found no way to bring his father to repent, or change his mind, with relation to his having given the blessing to his younger brother Jacob.
12:18. For you are not come to a mountain that might be touched and a burning fire and a whirlwind and darkness and storm,
12:19. And the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which they that had excused themselves, that the word might not be spoken to them.
12:20. For they did not endure that which was said: and if so much as a beast shall touch the mount, it shall be stoned.
12:21. And so terrible was that which was seen, Moses said: I am frighted, and tremble.
12:22. But you are come to mount Sion and to the city of the living G.o.d, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels,
12:23. And to the church of the firstborn who are written in the heavens, and to G.o.d the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,
12:24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel.
12:25. See that you refuse him not that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke upon earth, much more shall not we that turn away from him that speaketh to us from heaven.
12:26. Whose voice then moved the earth; but now he promiseth, saying: Yet once more: and I will move, not only the earth, but heaven also.
12:27. And in that he saith: Yet once more, he signifieth the translation of the moveable things as made, that those things may remain which are immoveable.
12:28. Therefore, receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace: whereby let us serve, pleasing G.o.d, with fear and reverence.
12:29. For our G.o.d is a consuming fire.
Hebrews Chapter 13
Divers admonitions and exhortations.
13:1. Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you.
13:2. And hospitality do not forget: for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels.
13:3. Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them: and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.
13:4. Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers G.o.d will judge.
Or, Let marriage be honourable in all... That is, in all things belonging to the marriage state. This is a warning to married people, not to abuse the sanct.i.ty of their state, by any liberties or irregularities contrary thereunto. Now it does not follow from this text that all persons are obliged to marry, even if the word omnibus were rendered, in all persons, instead of in all things: for if it was a precept, St. Paul himself would have transgressed it, as he never married. Moreover, those who have already made a vow to G.o.d to lead a single life, should they attempt to marry, they would incur their own d.a.m.nation. 1 Tim. 5. 12.
13:5. Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have. For he hath said: I will not leave thee: neither will I forsake thee.
13:6. So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me.
13:7. Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of G.o.d to you: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,
13:8. Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today: and the same for ever.
13:9. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats: which have not profited those that walk in them.
13:10. We have an altar whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle.