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Content After Amp    Hebrews
 Started 10/15/2024  Last edit before revision after reading the Amplified version of these passages was on 10/30/2024. – This version is an edited document that used my first report/paraphrase that used the NET Bible for a source.  I then read the Amplified Bible passages and made some changes to my original document. 
 Started 1/24/2025 -  includes my thoughts after reading Amplified Bible - 
Last Edit 1/31/2025
Capitalized:  he to He   him to Him   Lord   Son  2/7/2025
Added Paragraph Topics 2/15/2025
Copyright 2024,2025 by Greg Clements
 This project started in 2023 as my attempt to create something like a Table of Contents for books (New Testament at least) of the Bible, but it expanded beyond a list of contents. This document rephrases the text in roughly paragraph blocks with some explanatory notes. This document should, in no way, replace your own reading of the Bible. You should read the Bible to get more of the original meaning and to get context. I plan to use this document as I make a shorter list of the topics or teaching for a set of verses.
I needed to decide whether to write in the past tense or write this document as a guide to what God wants us to know.  A “report” of what Paul wrote makes it sound like it is Paul’s authority or thoughts all the way through. I don’t want that tone.  This document is almost a paraphrase and a guide to what God wants us to know, rather than a “report.”
I wrote in the past tense for the historical comments made by Paul, and in the present tense for discussions that are somewhat separate from the historical viewpoint that present day, and future Christians, can learn from.    …and, later I will insert (APPL…for applications I see) related to the text.  This will be done in a separate Google Doc.
References that I may use in this document are listed below.
NET (NET) Bible. THE NET BIBLE, NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996 BY BIBLICAL STUDIES PRESS, L.L.C. This Bible is a free download from www.bible.org. The First edition without notes is free from https://netbible.com/download. The second edition with notes is $4.95 download as of 2018. The NET 2nd edition can be read online for no cost at https://netbible.org/bible/Romans+1 (starts at Romans Chapter 1).
(AMP) Amplified Bible (at biblegateway.com 1 Corinthians 1 AMP - Appeal to Unity - Paul, called as an - Bible Gateway ) I wrote my “paraphrase” after reading the NET Bible verses. Then I read the Amplified Bible and edited my “paraphrase.”
(ESV) ESV Study Bible 2007 Crossway Bibles (I read the study notes for some verses as I wrote my paraphrase.)
(QUEST) The Quest Study Bible 1983 Zondervan (I read the study notes for some verses as I wrote my paraphrase.)
Some of the Bible studies I create are posted on www.gpclements.com.
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Hebrews
(QUEST – Some think the author was Paul - others suggest Barnabas, Luke, or Apollos.  The book was written between 60 and 70 A.D. as a warning to early Jewish believers who faced persecution and were pulled strongly toward reverting to their Old Testament way of life.)
(ESV – The author is anonymous - some have suggested Paul, Barnabas, Clement, Luke, and Apollos.   The church father, Origen around 354 A.D. wrote:”Who actually wrote the epistle, only God knows.”  The recipients had a mutual friend with the author in Timothy 13:23.  Date…probably before 70 A.D.)

Heb 1:1 - 14 God Has Communicated To Us Through His Son
God communicated in the past in portions of revelation using various means, and the prophets, to the ancestors of the Jewish people, but in these days He has communicated to us through a Son, and not just through a prophet, whom He appointed heir and lawful owner of all things, and through whom He created the universe.  The Son shows forth God’s glory and is the representation (AMP…and perfect imprint) of His being (AMP…His essence). He keeps the (AMP…physical and spiritual) universe working by the word of His power.  When the Son had accomplished the cleansing for sins (glc….by His sacrifice on the cross) He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Psalm 110:1) (AMP and glc…with divine authority).  So the Son became much better than the angels and He has inherited a name superior to theirs.  God never said to the angels “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you.” (Psalm 2:7)  It is also written: “I will be His father and He will be my Son.” (2 Samuel 7:14, 1 Chronicles 17:13).  And again when He brings his firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him!” (Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 97:7)  And he says of the angels: “He makes his angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire,” (Psalm 104:4) but to the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter (glc…symbol of authority)  of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.  So God,  your God, has anointed you over your companions (NET…God’s anointing gives the Son a superior position and authority over His fellows (glc…in God’s family).) with the oil of rejoicing.” (Psalm 45:6,7)  And, “You founded the earth in the beginning, Lord, and the heavens are the works of your hands.  They will perish, but you continue.  And they will all grow old like a garment, and like a robe you will fold them up, and like a garment, they will be changed, but you are the same forever and your years will never end.” (Psalm 19:1,2; Psalm 102:25-27)  God has never said to the angels, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (Psalm 110:1)  The angels are ministering spirits, sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation.

Hebrews 2:1 - 4 Pay Attention to Spiritual Truth So You Don’t Slowly Drift Away From Truth
Because this is true we must give full attention and obedience to what we have heard, so that we do not slowly lose our belief in, or drift away from, the truth.  For if the message about the Old Testament law that was spoken through angels to Moses (NET…Jewish tradition taught that angels mediated the law to Moses (Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17-18; Acts 7:38,53; Galatians 3:19; Josephus writings 15.5.3) proved to be so important and valid that every violation or disobedience resulted in a just and appropriate penalty, how will we escape a penalty if we don’t consider this great salvation important to us?  This salvation message was first communicated to people through the Lord and was confirmed to the author of Hebrews and his companions by those who heard the Lord.  God confirmed and validated their testimony with 
signs, wonders, several types of miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit given to people according to his will.

Hebrews 2:5 - 18  Jesus Received Glory and Honor Because He Died To Become High Priest
For God did not give the inhabited world of the future, which is being described here, to the administration and control of angels.  Instead, it is written in the Old Testament: “What is man that you think of him or the son of man that you care for him?  You made him lower than the angels for a little while.  You crowned him with glory and honor.  You put all things (AMP….the works of God’s hands) under his control.” (Psalm 8:4-6)  In putting ‘all things under his control’ He left nothing beyond His control.  At this time we do not yet see ‘all things under His control,’ but we see Jesus, who was made ‘lower than the angels for a little while,’ now crowned with glory and honor because He willingly suffered death so that through God’s grace He would experience the knowledge and feelings of death on behalf of all people (AMP…for their sins).  Yes, it was planned for Him, for whom all things are and through whom all things are, in bringing many people to glory, to make the leader of their salvation perfect through sufferings (AMP ..that He would be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest).  For it is true that He who makes people holy and those being made holy all have the same origin (AMP…from one Father), and as a consequence, He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, as it is written in the Old Testament: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters (AMP…believers), among the assembly I will praise you.” (Psalm 22:22)  It is also a message that “I will be confident in Him,” and again, “Here I am, with the children God has given me.” (Psalm 8:17-18) As a consequence, since the children share in flesh and blood (AMP…in the physical nature of mankind), He, in the same way, shared in their humanity (AMP…physical nature but without sin), so that by experiencing death He could break the power of the one who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and bring freedom for those who were held in slavery while they were living in the fear of death.  It is true that His concern and plan is not for (AMP…fallen) angels, but His concern and plan is for Abraham’s descendants.  Therefore, it was necessary that He be made like His brothers and sisters in every manner, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters related to God, to make atonement (glc…payment) for the sins of the people.  Because He suffered when He was tempted (glc..for example, Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 26:36-46), He is able to help those who are tempted.

Hebrews 3:1 - 6  Moses Was Faithful to God But Jesus Is Worthy of More Glory
In consideration of these true statements, holy brothers and sisters, fellow partners in a call from heaven, thoughtfully consider Jesus, the messenger and high priest to whom we verbally proclaim our allegiance, who is still faithful to the one who assigned him these offices, as Moses was also in service in God’s plan.  For Jesus is worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves more honor than the house itself!  Every house is built by someone, but the builder of everything is God.  Moses was “faithful in service in all God’s house” (Numbers 12:7) as a servant, to give testimony to the things that would be spoken (AMP…when Christ came).  But Christ is continually faithful as a Son over God’s house.  We are a part of God’s house, if we keep a firm hold on our confidence in God and the certain hope we celebrate (AMP…in Christ).

Heb 3:7 - 19 Encourage Christians With Spiritual Truth; Keep  Your Firm Commitment to Christ
Pay attention to what the Holy Spirit says “Oh, that today you would listen as He speaks! Do not harden your hearts as (glc…the Jewish ancestors did …Numbers 20:13, Psalm 81, Psalm 95:7b - 11) in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness.  There your fathers tested me and tried me, and they saw my works for forty years.  Therefore, I became provoked at that generation and said, ‘Their hearts are always wandering, and they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’ “ (Numbers 13:25 - 14:45; Deuteronomy 1:26 - 40; Psalm 95:7b-11)  (glc…Don’t give up your faith in Jesus and thus reject God’s eternal rest in heaven.)  Be careful brothers and sisters that none of you have an evil, unbelieving heart that rebels against (glc…and does not trust) the living God.  But strongly encourage each other every day, as long as you have the opportunity in this life, that none of you may become calloused in your heart by the deception of sin.  Christians have become sharers with Christ, if we keep a firm commitment to Christ until we die or Christ returns to Earth.  It is written in the Old Testament, “Oh, that today you would listen as He speaks!  Do not harden your hearts as those did in the rebellion.” (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 14:20-38; Psalm 95:7b-8) Those who came out of Egypt following Moses rebelled against God’s plan. (glc…except Moses, Joshua, Caleb)  God was annoyed and angered with them for 40 years.  They sinned in their attitudes and fell dead in the wilderness. (glc…as God held them back from the promised land due to their sin, and they died of old age in their traveling – Numbers 14:29,32)  God promised that the disobedient would never enter into his rest. (glc…in the promised land)  In conclusion, we learn that they could not enter God’s rest because they did not believe and fully trust God.

Heb 4:1 - 13  Pay Attention to Spiritual Teaching and Enter God’s Rest
Christians must pay attention to this teaching and have a reverent fear of God so they will not be prevented from entering God’s rest that is now available to us.  We had good news (AMP…of salvation) from God proclaimed to us just as the Israelites did as they left Egypt.  But the good news they heard was of no benefit to them since they did not combine faith (AMP…in God) with the message when they heard it.  For those who believe (AMP…and trust in God) enter God’s rest (AMP…have God’s inner peace and confidence in our salvation), as it is written “As I swore in my anger. ‘They will never enter my rest!’ “ (Psalm 95:11)  The works of God were accomplished from the creation of the world (AMP…and waiting for those who would believe).  God has spoken about the seventh day of creation “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” (Genesis 2:2) and it is worth repeating “They will never enter my rest!”  But there are more people who will enter God’s rest, even though people to whom it was proclaimed were prevented from entering the rest because of their disobedience (AMP…that gives evidence of their unbelief).  God again sets up a certain day (AMP…providing another opportunity to enter His rest), “Today,” speaking through David (Psalm 95) after a long time, as in the words written before (Hebrews 3:7) “Oh, that today you would listen as He speaks!  Do not harden your hearts.” (glc…do not make a decision that blocks God’s truth from your heart and mind.) Understand that if Joshua had given rest to the people, God would not have given a message afterward about another day.  As a consequence, a Sabbath rest remains for the people who are committed to God.  For the person who enters God’s rest has also rested from his human works, just as God did from his own works.  So, Christians must make every effort to enter God’s rest, so that no person may stumble and fall short by following the Israelites' pattern of disobedience.  Understand that the word of God is living and active (AMP…full of power and effective) and sharper than a well-maintained fighting sword, piercing and penetrating even to dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; the word of God is able to judge the attitudes and thoughts of the heart.  No creature is hidden from God, but everything is revealed and exposed to God’s eyes, to whom we must present an explanation and face a reckoning.

Heb 4:14 - 16  Jesus is Our great High Priest; Come Confidently to God’s Throne
In light of this and because we have a great high priest who has ascended to heaven, Jesus the Son of God, we should keep a firm grip on our confession of faith in Jesus.  Consider this, we do not have a human high priest who is incapable of sympathizing and understanding our weaknesses, but we have a high priest in Jesus who has been tempted in every way that we are, yet He did not sin.  Therefore let us confidently come to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace (glc…undeserved favor) whenever we need help.

Heb 5:1 - 10 Jesus Is High Priest and The Source of Eternal Salvation for Those With Faith
The high priests for Israel were selected from the people and appointed to represent the people before God, to make offerings and sacrifices for the sins of the people.  The high priest is able to act with compassion towards those who lack spiritual knowledge and are sinning since he is also influenced by his weaknesses, and for that reason, he is required to make offerings for his sin as well as for the sins of the people.  No one assumes the honor of being the high priest by his own decision, but only when directed to it by God, as happened with Aaron (Exodus 28:1-43).  So also Christ did not bring glory to Himself in becoming high priest, but God glorified Him, as it is written, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,” (Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 1:5) and as it is written in another place God says, ”You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (King of Salem, priest of God, name – “My King is RIghteousness”; Genesis Chapter 14; Psalm 110:4)  While Christ lived on Earth He offered both requests to God and asked earnestly of God, with loud cries and tears.  God was able to save Him from permanent death and Christ was heard because of His love and loyalty.  Although He was a Son (AMP…and never disobedient to the Father), He increased in obedience (AMP…learned active, special obedience) through the things He suffered.  And by being perfected in this way, He was transformed into the source of eternal salvation for all who have faith and obey Him, and He was appointed by God as high priest “in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6)

Heb 5:11 - 14  Keep Advancing In Your Spiritual Understanding
The author of Hebrews comments that there is much more to say about this (glc…the verses above) but it is difficult to explain it to the readers because they have become dull and slow to understand as they hear spiritual truth.  The author points out that the readers should be teaching others by now, but the readers need someone to teach them the foundational principles of God’s teachings.  They have slipped back to needing a liquid spiritual diet, not solid and weighty spiritual teachings.  Everyone who lives on spiritual milk lacks experience and understanding in the message of righteousness because they are a spiritual infant.  Solid and weighty spiritual food is for the mature and well-developed spiritual person, whose discernment skills and abilities to be aware of spiritual truths are built up by practice to recognize both good and evil.

Heb 6:1 - 12 Grow Into Spiritual Maturity
It is evident from this that Christians must build on the foundational truths about Christ and advance in spiritual maturity, not just talking about these foundational truths again, repenting from sins and dead works, faith in God, instructions about ritual ceremonies, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  This is what the author of Hebrews and his companions intended to do, if God gave them opportunity.  It is impossible for people who have been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, received the Holy Spirit, tasted (AMP…and consciously experienced) the good word of God and the miracles of the future times, and then have rejected these and fallen away from faith, to regenerate them again to repentance, because they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves and treating Him with contempt (AMP…treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it).  Consider the example of agriculture: ground that receives frequent rain and produces a crop for the farmer receives a blessing from God.  But if the ground consistently produces thorns and weeds it is useless and close to being cursed and burned.  The author of Hebrews was serious in admonitions but was convinced the readers of Hebrews were doing better in regards to salvation.  God is not unjust and won’t forget the spiritual work and love you demonstrate for His name, in your past service and continuing service for Christians.  The author and his companions passionately wanted each person hearing the contents of this letter to be active with the same energy for the completion of the certain hope (glc…in Jesus) until the end, so that they would not be spiritually lazy or dull, but rather would follow the good examples of those who by their faith and perseverance inherit God’s promises.

Heb 6:13 - 20 God Has Confirmed His Promises; Jesus is Priest Forever In Heaven
When God gave His promise to Abraham, since He could give his oath by no one greater than Him, He swore by Himself, saying “Surely I will bless you greatly and multiply your descendants abundantly.” (Genesis 22:17)  And as a consequence of being faithful, Abraham received the promise (AMP…in the miraculous birth of Isaac).  For men and women swear by something greater than themselves, and the oath they make is taken as a confirmation to end all dispute.  In the same manner, God desired to give a clear demonstration to the heirs of His promise that His plan would not change, and so He spoke an oath, so that those who have found refuge in Him may receive strong encouragement to keep a firm grip on the hope we have become sure of because of two unchangeable things, because it is impossible for God to lie.  We have this certain hope as an anchor and solid foundation for the soul, sure and steadfast, which extends inside the veil (NET…veil in the temple that separated the holy place from the holy of holies… glc– where only the high priest went once a year…AMP…of the heavenly temple where the very presence of God dwells), where Jesus, who went before us, entered for our benefit since He became “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5:6,10)

Heb 7:1 - 10  Melchizedek Collected a Tithe From Abraham; Jesus Has His Office
This “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings” and “blessed him.” (Genesis 14:17-19) To Melchizedek, “Abraham apportioned a tithe (AMP…of the captured things) (glc – The tithe amount is 10 percent, but the significance of the tithe goes beyond a number, it is an acknowledgment of honoring and respecting someone in a position of greater authority.) of everything.” (Genesis 14:20) Melchizedek’s name means king of righteousness, and “king of Salem,” (Genesis 14:18) that is, king of peace.  There is no record of Melchizedek’s father or mother or other ancestors. (QUEST and ESV – Melchizedek was probably a person who served as a priest of God before the priesthood was established in Israel.) The start of his life, and the end of his life, is not known but he is like a son of God, (ESV – not the Son of God) and he continues as a priest for all time. (glc–The office of the priesthood of Melchizedek continues)  Observe how great he must be, in that Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe (10 percent) of the plunder.  The descendants of Levi who become priests have the authority according to the law to collect a tithe (10 percent) from the people, from their fellow countrymen, even though they, too, are descendants of Abraham.  But Melchizedek, who is not descended from Abraham, collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed Abraham who possessed the promise (AMP…possessed the promises of God).  It is certainly true that the inferior person is blessed by someone who is superior, and in the Jewish religious system, tithes are received by mortal men, while in the case of Melchizedek tithes are received by him who is affirmed to continue living. (ESV – not saying that Melchizedek is alive but that his office is alive – the figure of Melchizedek forecasts a risen Christ)  It could be claimed that Levi himself (glc–the father of the Levitical priesthood), who receives tithes, paid a tithe (glc–to Melchizedek) through Abraham’s actions.  For Levi was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins when Melchizedek met Abraham. (glc – Levi was a descendant of Abraham.)  

Heb 7:11 - 28 Jesus Can Save Us and the Old Testament Law Has Changed
 If perfection (glc–forgiveness from sins) had been possible through the Levitical priesthood - for under on the Levitical priesthood the people were given the law - what additional need would there have been for another priest to be brought forth, who is said to be in the priesthood of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order (glc-the Levitical priesthood)?  When the priesthood changes a change in the law must take place as well.  Yet the person these things are spoken about is descended from a different tribe (glc–Jesus’  human lineage is from the tribe of Judah - Matthew 1:1-16), and no one from that tribe has ever served as a priest at the altar.  It is well known that our Lord descended from Judah, yet Moses wrote nothing about priests in connection with the tribe of Judah.  This is even clearer if another priest arises with the characteristics of Melchizedek, who became a priest not by the law about being a descendant of Levi but by the power of an indestructible and endless life.  Here is the testimony (AMP…from God) about Christ: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5:6 and 6:20)  The previous priesthood system is set aside because it is weak and useless (AMP…not able to justify a sinner before God).  Observe that the law did not make anything perfect.  But now a better hope has arrived, through which we can come near to God.  This was done with a sworn affirmation - for the Levitical priests became priests without a sworn affirmation - but Jesus became a priest with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’ “ (glc–God appointed Jesus as a priest. Jesus intercedes to God for us.) Thus, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant and everlasting promise.  Many Levites became priests because death prevented them from remaining a priest, but Jesus holds his priesthood permanently since He lives forever.  So He has the ability and authority to completely save the people who come to God through Him because He is living and can intercede for them.  It is good for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and glorified above the heavens.  He does not need to do each day what the Levitical priests do, who offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people because He made a willing offering of Himself one time for all.  For the law appoints men who are subject to human weakness and death as high priests, but the word of dignified and serious affirmation from God that came after the Mosaic law permanently appoints a Son who was made perfect forever.

Heb 8:1 - 13  Jesus is Priest and Mediator of a Better Covenant
The main instruction for what was written above is that Christians have a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of God the Father in heaven (Psalm 110:1; John 10:30, Hebrews 1:3, 13; Revelation 3:21, 5:13, 7:16,17, 22:1,3), a priest in the sanctuary of heaven and the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, established.  Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices.  So Jesus also had to offer something.  There were already priests on Earth who offered gifts directed by the Mosaic law so Jesus did not minister as a priest on Earth.  The Earthly place where the human priests serve is a prototype and shadow of the sanctuary in heaven.  Moses was cautioned by God in completing the tabernacle: “See that you make everything according to the design shown to you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40). But now Jesus has received a superior ministry to the degree that the covenant He operates in, and is a mediator for, is also better and is put in place on better promises.  Consider that if the first covenant (glc…Old Testament Law) had been perfect no one would have looked for a second one.   But god spoke of its lack of perfection as it is written: “Look, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will complete a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  It will not be like the covenant that I made with their fathers, on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant, and I had no regard for them, says the Lord.   For this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will write my laws deeply in their minds, and I will write them deeply in their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be my people.  And there will be no need at all for each one to teach his countryman or each one to teach his brother saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ since they will all know me, from the least to the greatest.   For I will be merciful toward their evil deeds, and their sins I will remember no longer.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)  When God speaks of a new covenant He makes the first, Old Testament, covenant obsolete.  And what is becoming obsolete, out of use, and aging, is near to disappearing.

Heb 9:1 - 10 The Old Testament Covenant and Sacrifices Did Not Purify Consciences
Consider that the first covenant (Hebrews 8:7, 13… glc…Old Testament Covenant) had instructions for worship and the building of its earthly sanctuary.  A sacred tent was prepared (glc…Tabernacle), with an outer place, called the Holy Place, which contained the lampstand, the table, and the presentation of the loaves of bread.  Then, past the curtain, there was another Tabernacle (AMP…an inner tent) called the Holy of Holies.  It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant which was entirely covered with gold.  In the ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron’s rod that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant (AMP…Ten Commandments). (Exodus Chapters 25 - 27) Above the ark were the figures of cherubim (NET…angels associated with God’s presence, glory, and holiness) which overshadowed the mercy seat.  The author did not want to get distracted with too much detail about this topic.  So, with the earthly sanctuary prepared in these ways, the earthly priests enter regularly into the outer tent and perform their duties.  But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers to atone for the unintentional sins done by himself and the people.  The Holy Spirit makes it understood that the way into the true, heavenly, Holy Place had not yet appeared as long as the earthly Tabernacle was standing (AMP and glc…while the Levitical system of worship was used).  The earthly Tabernacle is a symbol for the present time. The gifts and sacrifices that were offered did not purify the conscience of those who worshipped.  These rituals were followed for matters of food and drink and ritual washings; they are external regulations for the body put in place until the time of setting things right. (glc…Jesus accomplished the setting things right and providing true worship in faith.)  

Heb 9:11 - 14  Christ is High Priest Whose Blood Provides Purification of Consciences
But Christ has arrived as the high priest of the good things to come (AMP…true spiritual worship).  He went through the greater and more perfect tent in heaven, not made with human hands, and He entered once for all (glc…not yearly and temporarily) into the Most Holy Place not by the blood of animals but by His own blood, and so He alone obtained and secured eternal redemption (glc…for people who put their faith in Jesus).  Consider that if the blood of animals and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on people who are defiled consecrated them and gave them ritual purity (AMP…for their bodies), how much more does the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Holy Spirit willingly offered Himself without sin to God, purify our consciences from sinful works (AMP…and lifeless observances) to the worship of the living God.

Heb 9:15 - 28 Jesus Provides Eternal Inheritance and Forgiveness for People
Jesus was used by God to establish a new covenant (AMP…new agreement between God and man), so that those who are called by God (glc…and respond with faith in Jesus) may receive the eternal inheritance with God (glc…in God’s family on Earth and with God in heaven after we die) that He has promised. The new covenant was established when Jesus died to set people free from the sins committed under the obsolete first covenant. (glc…For Jewish people who sinned and for Gentile people who also sinned in doing what displeases God.)  Where there is a legal will, the death of the one who made the will must be proven.  For a will becomes in effect only at death, since the will has no legal standing while the one who made it is alive.  Even the Old Testament covenant was put into place with blood of dead animals.  When Moses had told the people all of the commands that were in the law, he took the blood of calves and goats with water and red wool and hyssop and sprinkled both the writings of the law and all the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded you to keep.” (Exodus 24:8) And Moses sprinkled blood on both the tabernacle and the utensils used for worship.  In fact, almost everything was purified with blood and sprinkled with blood as specified in the law, and if there is no shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.  So it was necessary for the earthly representations of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices involving blood, but the heavenly things required a better sacrifice than the earthly sacrifices.  Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands - the earthly model of the true sanctuary - but He entered into heaven itself, and He is now in God’s presence on our behalf.  And He did not enter heaven to be sacrificed over and over as takes place on Earth when the high priest enters the earthly sanctuary every year with blood that is not his own.  If that was the case, Christ would have to suffer again and again throughout the years.  But Christ came to Earth once for all at the finalization of the ages to put away people’s sin through his sacrifice.  And even as men and women are destined to die on Earth once, and then face judgment from God (glc…there is no reincarnation and another chance during another earthly life…put your faith in Jesus now, in this one life on Earth that you have.) (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:22; John 12:48; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Romans 14; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:11-15), so also, after Christ’s sacrifice to take on the sins of many (Isaiah 53:12), to those who have kept their faith in Jesus He will appear a second time, not to bear their sins, but to bring salvation.

Heb 10:1 - 18  Jesus Has Replaced the Old Testament Sacrifice System With One Offering
The Old Testament law has a hint of the good things to come in our relationship to God but not the reality of it, and consequently is never able, by the ritual sacrifices, repeatedly offered in the temple year after year, to make perfect those who engage in this worship.  If this was not true the sacrifices would have stopped since the worshippers would have been purified for the future and would have no future consciousness of sin.  However, the Old Testament sacrifices under the law remind us of sins as they are offered year after year.  It is impossible for the sacrifice of the blood of animals to take away the sins of the people.  When Jesus came to live in the world, He said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me.  Whole burnt offerings and sacrifice for sin you took no delight in.  Then I (Jesus) said, ‘Here I am: I have come—to fulfill what is written of Me in the scroll of the book—to do your will, O God.’” (Psalm 40:6-8; John 10:18; Philippians 2:5-11) When Jesus says “sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sin-offerings -offered following instructions in the law- you did not desire nor did your take delight” in them, then Jesus says “Here I am; I have come to do your will.” (Psalm 40:8) Jesus does away with the Old Testament covenant of animal sacrifices for sin to establish the new covenant (AMP..by Jesus’ obedience). (Luke 22:20) By his decision Christians have been made holy (AMP…set apart for God and his purposes) through the acceptable offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  Every priest of the Old Testament covenant stands daily serving and offering the same sacrifices over and over - sacrifices that can never take away sins. (glc…The Old Testament system of sacrifices reminded people of their sins, prompted the people to seek God, and kept them from straying too far from God, but these sacrifices did not, on their own, make them fully acceptable to God.  God judged their attitudes and hearts.)  But when Jesus, as priest, offered one sacrifice (glc…himself on the cross) for sins for all time, He then sat down at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1), where He now waits for His enemies to be finally defeated and in submission. (Psalm 110:1)  For by His one offering He has perfected for all time those who are made holy (glc – those who believe and have faith in Jesus).  And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, and confirms, as written in the Old Testament, “ This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord. I will write deeply my laws on their hearts and I will write deeply on their minds,” then He says, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no longer.” (Jeremiah 31:33,34)  Know this, that where there is absolute forgiveness of sins, there is no longer a need for offerings for sin.

Heb 10:19 - 31Christians Can Approach God With Confidence; Don’t Keep On Sinning
 Christian men and women should take note of this and be guided in their thinking and actions.  As a consequence of having confidence and faith to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and life-giving process that He initiated for us by passing through the curtain into the Holy of Holies by His bodily sacrifice, and because we have a great priest in the house of God, we should draw near to God with a sincere heart with a confident hope that faith brings, because our hearts were sprinkled clean from an evil conscience (glc–the wording brings to mind the ritual sprinkling with blood in the Old Testament rituals in the tabernacle and on the people Exodus 24:8) and our spiritual bodies have been washed in pure water.  Let us keep a firm and solid grip on the hope through Jesus that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy and faithful. (Psalm 145:13,14; Proverbs 30:5,6; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 6:13-15; 2 Peter 3:9)  Give some serious thought on how you can encourage each other to show forth love and to do good deeds, (Ephesians 2:10) not giving up on meeting with Christians (AMP…for worship and instruction), as some have become used to, but encouraging each other, and increasing in this because you recognize that there is a future time when Christ will return and bring judgment. (1 Corinthians 3:13)  Be aware that if we make a deliberate decision to keep on sinning after we have received (glc…and believed) the knowledge of the truth (glc…about Jesus sacrifice) there is no further sacrifice to atone (forgive) for our sins, but only a certain expectation, that should bring fear, of judgment and wrath of fire that will consume God’s enemies. (Exodus 20:5; Zephaniah 1:18)  The people who rejected the law of Moses were put to death without mercy on the basis of testimony from two or three witnesses. (Deuteronomy 17:6)  The person who has contempt for the Son of God and has no regard for the blood of the (glc…new) covenant that made the person holy (glc…they once had faith in Jesus), and insults the Spirit of grace, deserves greater punishment than what occurred to people in the Old Testament times.  Christians know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” (Deuteronomy 32:35,36) It is a terrifying thing to face judgment and receive wrath from the living God.

Heb 10:32-39 Don’t Abandon Your Faith in Jesus; Live by Faith
You should remember the past when you endured persecutions after you were given the gospel about Jesus.  You may have been ridiculed and insulted in public, and at other times you talked to, and were a companion to, people who were treated that way.  Some of you shared the sufferings of those in prison, and some of you accepted with joy having your property taken from you, because you had a firm hope and understanding that you have a better and lasting possession (glc…eternal life in heaven with God far surpasses any living circumstances on Earth.)   Make the decision not to toss aside your confidence (glc…in Jesus), because keeping this confidence and faith has a great reward.  You need endurance and perseverance to not compromise as you do God’s will and to receive what is promised.  “After a short time He who is coming will arrive and not delay. (glc…we don’t know when Jesus will return, God is not constrained by human time, 2 Peter 3:8.   All human times are short compared to eternity with God.)  But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him.” (Isaiah 26:20; Habakkuk 2:3,4)  But we are not among those who retreat and thus perish but are among those who have a firm grip on faith and preserve our souls.

Heb 11:1 - 7 Faith is Being Committed to God; Old Testament Examples of Faith
Faith is being very confident and confirmed of what we hope for in our relationship with God and being certain of the spiritual things that we cannot see with our human eyes.  By faith, the people of the Old Testament were approved by God.  By faith, we understand that the universe was put into operation for its intended purposes  by God’s command so that what we see in the physical world had its origin in what we cannot see.  By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than did Cain, and because of his faith, he was approved as righteous because God commended him for his offerings.  And because of his sacrifice, he still delivers a message, even though he is dead.  By faith (AMP…that pleased God), Enoch was removed from Earth to heaven so that he did not experience death on Earth, and he was no longer seen on Earth because God took him up.  Before he was removed from Earth he had been approved as having pleased God (Genesis 5:21,22).  Without faith it is impossible to (AMP…walk with God and) please God, for the person who comes to God must believe that God exists and that God rewards the people who diligently seek Him.  By faith (AMP…with confidence in God), Noah, when he received a warning from God about things no one knew about, with reverent belief in God’s command, built an ark for the saving of his family.  Through his faith, he rejected the world and received the righteous standing that comes by faith.

Heb 11:8 - 22 Abraham Had Faith in God; Then Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
By faith, Abraham obeyed when he received the message from God to go to a land that he would later receive as an inheritance, and he traveled from his homeland without knowing the final destination.  By faith, he lived as a wanderer and foreigner in the promised land as though it was a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs along with Abraham of God’s promise.  For Abraham was confidently looking ahead for the city that had a good foundation, whose designer and builder is God.  By faith, even though Sarah had no children and was past the age for childbearing, Sarah received the ability to have children because Sarah had trust in the one who had given the promise.  So in fact, descendants were fathered by one man - and Abraham was past the age of a strong life - like the number of stars in the sky (glc…hard to count them all) and the countless grains of sand on a seashore (Genesis 15:5 and 22:17).  All of these people died in their faith (AMP…guided and sustained by it) without receiving all of the tangible fulfillment of what had been promised to them, but they saw the things that had been promised as they thought about the future and welcomed them and agreed that they were foreigners and travelers on Earth.  For those who talk in this manner are clear that they are seeking a permanent homeland.  Indeed, if they had kept in mind the lands they had left as their true home they might have decided to return to those familiar places.  But, they longed for and sought a better place, a heavenly place.  As a result, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for God has prepared a city for them. (John 14:1-3) By faith, when Abraham was tested by God, he offered up Isaac to God.  He had believed God’s message, yet he was prepared to offer up his only son.  God had told him, “Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,” (Genesis 21:12) and Abraham trusted that God could raise Isaac from the dead, and symbolically, Abraham did receive Isaac back from the dead.  By faith also, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in matters of their future.  By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed all of the sons of Joseph and “ worshiped as he leaned on his staff.” (Genesis 47:31) By faith, Joseph, as he was near death, gave a message about the descendants of Jacob leaving Egypt and gave instructions for his burial in the land of promise. (Genesis 50:25)

Heb 11:23 - 31 Moses’ Parents Had Faith in God, Then Moses Chose God
Moses' parents had faith when they hid Moses for three months after he was born because they were drawn to care for him and were not afraid of the command of the Pharaoh.  By faith, when Moses was older he turned away from being called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.   Instead, he chose to be mistreated along with God’s people rather than to enjoy the temporary benefits of sin.  He reasoned that the mistreatment he suffered for God’s people was truer wealth than the treasures available in Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward from God.  By faith, he left Egypt without being afraid of the Pharaoh’s anger, for he kept true to his beliefs as though he could see the reward promised by God.  By faith, he obeyed the directions for Passover and the placing of blood on the doorposts of homes of the Hebrew people, so that the angel who killed the firstborn would pass by those homes.  By faith, God’s people crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried to follow Israel they were drowned.  By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites marched around them for seven days.  By faith, Rahab the prostitute was not caught up in the destruction of the people who disobeyed God because she helped the Israelite spies in peace.

Heb 11:32 - 40  There are Many Other Examples of People Who Let Faith Guide Actions
And there is much more to say.  There is not enough time to report about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets of the Old Testament.  Through enduring faith in God, these people conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, received what was promised, were not killed by lions, put out the power of fire, escaped being killed by swords, were renewed in their strength after sickness, became mighty in battle, routed foreign armies, and women welcomed back people who had died.  But other Israelites were tortured (AMP…to death…refusing to accept release by denying their faith) and chose to remain true to God to receive resurrection to a better life.  Others received mockings and beatings and were even chained in prison.  Some were stoned , sawed in two, and killed with the sword; they lived in poverty with rough clothes; they lacked basic necessities, were afflicted and mistreated. - the world was not worthy of them -; they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves.  These all were well spoken of for their faith, but they did not receive what was promised during their life on Earth.  For God had planned something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without those who came to believe in Christ.

Heb 12:1- 13 Set Aside Sin; Focus on Jesus Endure Suffering; Discipline Corrects You
Since Christians have such a great gathering of witnesses(glc…those in Hebrews 11 and others in the Bible) surrounding us, they must put aside everything that slows their spiritual progress and the sin that is attached to them, and live the Christian life on Earth with endurance and active participation in the race set before them, maintaining a focus on Jesus, who leads the way to God and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy (AMP…to accomplish his task) set before Him He had endurance even at the cross, not thinking about its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of God’s throne. (Psalm 110:1)  Think about Him who had endurance even though He faced sinful opponents, and let this be effective in preventing you from giving up in your souls.  The readers of this letter had not yet resisted spiritual opponents to the point of shedding their own blood as they struggled against sin.  The author encouraged them to remember the exhortation given to those who seek God: “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when He corrects you.  For the Lord disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son He accepts.” (Proverbs 3:11,12) Regard and endure your suffering in order to become disciplined; God is treating you as sons.  It is common for fathers to discipline their sons.  But if you do not receive discipline, that all sons have received, then you are not a true son and are not in God’s family.  Also, we have received discipline from our earthly fathers and we still had respect for them; so, we should submit ourselves even more to the heavenly, spiritual, Father and receive the life He wants for us.  Our Earthly fathers disciplined us for a short time while they thought it was the right thing for them to do, but God the Father disciplines us for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.  Of course, all discipline seems to cause pain at the time and not joy.  But after a short time it brings forth the good result of peace and righteousness (AMP….right standing with God and an attitude that seeks God’s will) for those who are corrected by the discipline.  Therefore, “strengthen your weak hands and your weak knees,” (Isaiah 35:3) and make straight paths for your feet, (Proverbs 4:26) (glc…live in the way you should live, according to God’s standards)  so that what is lame may not continue to be weak and unproductive, but be healed.

Heb 12:14 - 24 Don’t Stop Short of God’s Grace; Christians are Destined For Heaven
Actively seek peace with everyone, and holiness, for if you lack holiness you will not see the Lord.  Make sure that no one stops short of the grace of God, and that no one rises like a weed (AMP…with resentment) to cause trouble (Deuteronomy 29:17), which spreads to cause others to be polluted and muddied.  Make sure that no one takes on the immoral and godless character of Esau, who sold his own inheritance for a single meal. (Genesis 27:34-41)  You should remember that when he later wanted to receive the family blessing from Isaac, he was rejected, and there was no second chance for repentance and blessing, although he pleaded for it with tears.  Christians have not come to something that can be physically touched (Exodus chapter 19- Mount Sinai), or to a burning fire, oppressive darkness, a whirlwind, and the great sound of a trumpet and a voice speaking words that caused those who heard it to beg to stop hearing it.  For they were distressed by the command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” (Exodus 19:12,13)  It is true that the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.” (Deuteronomy 9:19)  But Christians have come to Mount Zion, the abode of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the thousands upon thousands of angels, to the gathering and congregation of the firstborn, who are on the list destined for heaven (AMP…citizens of heaven), and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect (glc…redeemed through Jesus’ sacrifice), and to Jesus, who was used by God to establish a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that carries the message of something better than the shed blood of Abel does (AMP…which cried out for vengeance). (Genesis 4:10; Hebrews 9:11-14; 11:4)

Hebrews 11:25 - 29 Don’t Refuse God the Father or Jesus
Be very careful not to refuse the one who is speaking (glc…Jesus).  For if the Israelites did not escape when they did not obey the one who warned them on Earth,  (glc…who rebelled against the message given by Moses) we are much less likely to escape if we refuse to obey the One who gives a warning message from heaven.  In the Old Testament at Sinai, his voice shook the Earth, but now He has given the promise,  “I will once more shake not only the Earth but heaven too.” (Hagaii 2:6)  The phrase ‘once more’ refers to the taking away of what is shaken, the things that were created, so that there is an unshaken part that remains.  Since Christians are receiving an unshakable kingdom we should give thanks and offer worship acceptable to God with devotion and awe.  Realize that “our God is indeed a devouring fire.” (Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3)

Heb 13:1 - 16 Love Christians; Keep Your Marriage Pure; Imitate Spiritual Leaders
You must continue to love other Christians.  Show hospitality (AMP…especially among believers) because some have welcomed angels to their homes without realizing it.  Be concerned about those in prison as though you were also imprisoned with them, and be concerned about those who are mistreated as though you also experienced their mistreatment.  Be sure to honor and respect marriage for all and keep the marriage sexually pure, for God will bring judgment to sexually immoral people and those who are not sexually faithful to their spouse.  In your daily living keep free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have for material possessions, for God has said,  “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6,8) So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?” (Psalm 118:6) Think about your spiritual leaders, who told you God’s message; meditate on the outcome of their lives and follow the examples of their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same for all time!  Do not go along with and believe diverse and strange teachings. (glc…read the Bible for spiritual guidance.)  It is best that your inner person is guided by God’s grace, not religious rituals, which have never had a lasting benefit for the people who participated in them.  Christians have a spiritual altar that those who only practice Jewish rituals have no right to benefit from.  The bodies of the sacrificial animals whose blood the Jewish high priest brings into the Jewish sanctuary as an offering for sins are burned outside the city.  Therefore, to set apart and make holy the people who believe in Him by His own blood, Jesus suffered (glc…on the cross) outside the city.  We must go out to Jesus, outside the religious city, and bear the abuse and ridicule that He experienced.  (glc…we must associate with, and choose, Jesus, over merely religious formalism)   No one has a lasting city on Earth, but Christians seek the spiritual city of the future. (glc…after we die) Through Jesus (glc…our high priest in heaven) let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise (glc…not an animal sacrifice) to God, as we use our voices to acknowledge and glorify His name.  As you praise God, do not neglect to do good actions and to share your material possessions, for God is pleased by those sacrifices.

Heb 13:17 - 19  Obey Spiritual Leaders; Pray for Christian Leaders
Obey your spiritual leaders and be obedient to them, for they look after your souls and will give an explanation for their work as one who gives an account of what they are responsible for.  Let your leaders do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be of no benefit for you.  Pray for the author of this letter and his companions for they trust that they have a clear conscience and desire to behave in a proper manner in all things.  The author especially asked the readers to pray that he would be restored to the readers very soon.

Heb 13:20 - 25  Pray For God to Help You Do His Will
The author prayed that the God of peace (AMP…serenity and spiritual well-being), who by the blood of the eternal covenant (glc… Jesus' sacrifice on the cross established an eternal covenant, better than the Old Testament covenant) raised the Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the believers, from the dead, would give Christians every good thing so they could do God’s will, working in Christians that which He approves of through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for all time and beyond time.  Amen.  The author urged the Christian men and women to not shy away from his message of exhortation, for, actually, he had more that could be written.  The Christians should know and be confident that Timothy, their brother Christian, had been released from prison.  If Timothy came soon, he would be with the author and the readers would see them.  The author wrote greetings to all of the spiritual leaders and all those set apart for God.  The Christians in Italy sent their greetings.  The author prayed for grace to be with all the readers.

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