Daily Bread

A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence^(A) to enter the Most Holy Place^(B) by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way^(C) opened for us through the curtain,^(D) that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest^(E) over the house of God,^{(F) 22} let us draw near to God^(G) with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,^(H) having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience^(I) and having our bodies washed with pure water.^{(J) 23} Let us hold unswervingly to the hope^(K) we profess,^(L) for he who promised is faithful.^{(M) 24} And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,^{(N) 25} not giving up meeting together,^(O) as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another^(P)—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.^(Q)

²⁶ If we deliberately keep on sinning^(R) after we have received the knowledge of the truth,^(S) no sacrifice for sins is left, ²⁷ but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire^(T) that will consume the enemies of God. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(U) 29} How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God^(V) underfoot,^(W) who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant^(X) that sanctified them,^(Y) and who has insulted the Spirit^(Z) of grace?^{(AA) 30} For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a](AB) and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”^{[b](AC) 31} It is a dreadful thing^(AD) to fall into the hands^(AE) of the living God.^(AF)

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,^(AG) when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.^{(AH) 33} Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;^(AI) at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.^{(AJ) 34} You suffered along with those in prison^(AK) and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.^{(AL) 35} So do not throw away your confidence;^(AM) it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere^(AN) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.^{(AO) 37} For,

³⁸ And,

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.