Hebrews 6

1 So let us leave behind the word of the beginning of Christ and be carried on to completeness, not laying again a foundation of a change of mind from dead works and of faith toward God — [a] 2 teaching about immersions and the laying on of hands, about the resurrection of the dead and everlasting judgment. [b] 3 And this we will do, if indeed God permits.

4 For it is impossible — in the case of those who were once given light, and tasted the heavenly gift, and became sharers of holy spirit, [d] † 5 and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age that is coming, 6 and then fell away — to renew them again to a change of mind, since for themselves they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and holding him up to public shame. [e]

7 For ground that drinks the rain that comes on it again and again, and brings forth plants useful to those for whom it is farmed, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it puts out thorns and thistles it is worthless and close to a curse, and its end is burning. [f] 9 But about you, loved ones, we are persuaded of better things, things that belong to rescue — even though we speak this way. 10 For God is not unjust, to forget your work and the love you showed toward his name in having served the holy ones, and in serving them still. [g] 11 And we long for each of you to show the same eagerness toward the full assurance of the hope, right to the end, 12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises. [h]

13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, [i] 14 saying, “Surely in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply you.” [j] 15 And so, having been patient, he obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by the one greater than themselves, and for them the oath is the end of all dispute, and makes the matter firm. 17 In this God, wanting to show the heirs of the promise even more fully that his purpose does not change, stepped in with an oath, [k] 18 so that through two things that cannot change, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong comfort to take hold of the hope set before us. [l]

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, safe and firm, and it goes in to what is inside the veil, [m] 20 where Jesus went in ahead of us as forerunner, having become a chief priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. [n]