11 We have many things to say concerning Him, but it is difficult to explain, because you do not hear so well. 12 For by this time you should be teachers, but you still need someone to teach you the elementary principles of God's oracles. You need milk when you should be taking solid food. 13 Those taking only milk are not used to the word of righteousness, for they are babes. 14 Solid food is for the mature, who have trained themselves to discern good and evil.

Hebrews 6 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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1 Therefore, leaving the elementary teachings about Christ, let us move on to maturity, going beyond the foundation of repentance from dead works and faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washing and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 God permitting, this is what we will do. 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, being partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come, 6 and then fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance, since they have once more crucified to themselves the Son of God, and openly put Him to shame. 7 For the tilled ground that receives the rain which often falls on it brings forth useful vegetation, and is a blessing from God. 8 But if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and pretty much a curse, and will end up being burned. 9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things of you, things that lead to your salvation. 10 For God is just and will not forget your love and work demonstrated in His name while ministering to the saints. 11 And we want each of you to show the same diligence in order that you may realize the full assurance of hope until the end. 12 This way you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through patience and faith have inherited the promises. 13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself, since no one is greater than Him, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you and multiply you." 15 And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, with an oath given as confirmation in order to end any dispute. 17 In the same way God, wanting to show the heirs that His promise was unchangeable as was His purpose, confirmed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge in Him will have strong encouragement to trust in the hope set before us. 19 This hope is an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast, and one that enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered going before us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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1 It was Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, who met and blessed Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings. 2 Because he was the King of Righteousness, and of Salem, as well as the King of peace, Abraham gave him a tenth of everything taken as booty. 3 Melchizedek was without father or mother, and without genealogy. He had no beginning or end of life, but was made like unto the Son of God, and remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 According to the Law, the sons of Levi who are priests, collect a tenth from the people, who are their brothers, who are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not of Abraham collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without question, the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 The Levitical priests were mortal and received tithes. But Melchizedek received tithes and lives on. 9 And it may be seen that Levi through Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, 10 for he was still in the loins of Abraham when Melchizedek met him. 11 So if perfection was to come through the Levitical priesthood on the basis of the Law, would there be a need for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek rather than after the order of Aaron? 12 For a change in the priesthood requires a change of the Law. 13 For the one after the order of Melchizedek was not of the tribe of Levi, whose priests had always officiated at the altar. 14 It is evident that our Lord descended from Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests from that tribe. 15 And it is clear that if another priest arises who is like Melchizedek, 16 he has not become a priest based on physical law, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For it is attested of Him, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." 18 For on the one hand, the former commandment has been set aside because it is weak and useless, 19 for the Law never made anything perfect, and the other reason is that we have a better hope by which we draw near to God. 20 And He was made priest with an oath, 21 though the Levitical priests became priests without an oath. But God said of Jesus, "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind. You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." 22 Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 The Levitical priests were in greater numbers because they kept dying. 24 But Jesus continues forever and holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore, He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God by Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For we are greatly benefited to have such a high priest, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, 27 who does not need the daily sacrifice, as the Levitical high priests did, first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people: for He did this once when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who is consecrated forever.

Hebrews 8 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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1 Let's summarize what we have said thus far: we have a high priest who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens. 2 He is a minister in the Sanctuary and true tabernacle built by the LORD, not by man. 3 Every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, so the high priest must have something to offer. 4 If He were on earth, He would not be a priest because there are priests that offer gifts according to the Law. 5 These serve as a shadow of heavenly things in the tabernacle God told Moses to make. He was told to "Make the tabernacle according to the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain." 6 But now Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry since He is mediator of a better covenant which has been established with better promises. 7 For if the first covenant had been faultless there would have been no need for a second. 8 But finding fault with the first covenant, He said, "Behold the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the house of Judah." 9 "It will not be like the covenant that I made with their fathers when I led them by the hand out of Egypt, for they did not continue in My covenant. So I had no regard for them," says the LORD. 10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My Laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." 11 "And they shall not teach everyone his neighbor, and everyone his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for all flesh shall know Me, from the least to the greatest." 12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more." 13 He has replaced the old covenant with the new covenant, making the old one obsolete, and no longer part of the agreement between God and His people.

Hebrews 9 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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1 Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine worship and an earthly Sanctuary. 2 There was the first, or outer part of the tabernacle contained the candlestick and the table of showbread. This compartment was called the holy place. 3 Behind the second veil was the part of the tabernacle called the Most Holy. 4 It had the golden alter of incense outside the second veil, and the ark of the covenant overlaid with gold was behind this veil. In this ark were a golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant. 5 Above the ark of the covenant two cherubim overshadowed the mercy seat, which we will not speak of in detail. 6 Once these things had been prepared, the priests entered the first compartment every day to perform the services to God. 7 But into the second compartment only the high priest entered, and that only once a year. He never went in without taking blood which he offered first for himself and then for the sins of the people. 8 In this way the Holy Spirit shows that the way into the Most Holy had not been manifested while the first tabernacle was yet standing. 9 It was a symbol for that time, showing that the gifts and sacrifices then offered could not make the high priest perfect in conscience, 10 because they were only food and drinks, various washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle that was not made by man's hands in this world, 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the holy place one time, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkled on those who are defiled sanctified them, purifying the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without blemish to God, from dead works to serve the living God? 15 This is why He is the mediator of the new covenant so that by His death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant there is, there must also be the death of the One who made that covenant. 17 For a covenant is in force after men are dead, else it has no strength while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore the first covenant was also dedicated with blood. 19 For when Moses spoke every commandment to the people according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled the book and all the people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded unto you." 21 In the same way Moses sprinkled blood on the tabernacle and all the vessels of its ministry. 22 And according to the Law, one may say that all things are cleansed with blood, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 For this reason it was necessary that the things in the earthly copy of the tabernacle in heaven be purified, but the heavenly things were cleansed with a better sacrifice. 24 For Christ did not enter the holy places made with men's hands, mere copies of what was in heaven, but into heaven itself where He appeared for us in the presence of God. 25 Neither did He offer Himself over and over, as the earthly high priest did who entered the most holy place each year with blood that was not his own. 26 If that were the case Christ would have needed to suffer since the foundation of the world. But instead He has appeared once to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that face judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and will appear the second time with salvation to those who eagerly await Him with their sins all forgiven.

Hebrews 10 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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1 For the Law was only a shadow of the good things to come, and could never by its ordinances make a man perfect by the yearly sacrifices. 2 Otherwise, they would still have value. But they cannot remove a worshipper's consciousness of sin. 3 In fact, those sacrifices reminded a person year by year of sins committed. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 For this reason when He comes into the world He says, "Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me." 6 "In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices You have no pleasure." 7 "Then I said, behold, I have come, as it is written in the scroll of the book, to do Your will, O God." 8 After this He said, "You had no pleasure in sacrifice and burnt offerings for sin, for You did not want sacrifices for sin, neither did You take pleasure in them, and these were offered according to the Law." 9 And He said, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He took away the first covenant to establish the second. 10 Therefore you will be sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ one time for all those who believe. 11 Every priest stands daily to minister, offering sacrifices time after time, and these cannot remove sin. 12 But Jesus, having offered Himself one time as a sacrifice for sins for all time, then "Sat down at the right hand of God," 13 waiting "Until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet." 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit says to us, 16 "this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My Laws into their heart, and in their minds I will write them," 17 "and their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more." 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any need for an offering for sin.

19 So my brothers, we may boldly enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He has consecrated for us, taking us through the veil, which is His flesh. 21 And since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may stimulate one another unto love and good works, 25 not forsaking our assembling together, as some have done, but exhorting one another more and more as we see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after having received the knowledge of truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for our sin, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment and fiery indignation which will consume His adversaries. 28 Anyone despising the Law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severe the punishment for those that tread underfoot the Son of God, not valuing the blood of the covenant by which Jesus has sanctified that man, thereby insulting the Spirit of grace. 30 For we know the One who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And in another place, "The LORD will judge His people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But remind yourselves of the former days when after you learned this truth, you endured great afflictions, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproach and affliction, and partly by suffering for those who suffered for this faith. 34 For you had compassion for me in my bonds, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have a better and lasting possession waiting for you. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence which will have a great reward. 36 For you need patience, so that having done the will of God, you may receive what has been promised. 37 For in a little while, He who is coming will come, and He will not delay. 38 The just shall live by faith, but He has said, if any man draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back, but of those who believe, and whose souls shall be saved.

Hebrews 11 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old obtained a good report. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word or God, so � that the things we now see were made from that which is invisible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. In this way he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, for God testified of his gifts, and though Abel is dead, his deeds still speak.

5 By faith Enoch was taken up to heaven without seeing death, for he was not found because God had translated him. For before his translation he was known to have pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for when a person comes to God he must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, having been warned by God of that which had never yet been seen, in reverence to God's word, prepared an ark for the salvation of his household. In doing this he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place which he should afterwards receive for an inheritance, obeyed. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land he had been promised, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise, 10 for he looked for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith Sarah also received the ability to conceive a child beyond her normal child bearing years, because she judged Him faithful who made the promise. 12 So from one man, as good as dead, came as many children as the stars of the sky and the sand of the sea. 13 These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they had been fully persuaded that they would eventually see those promises come to pass, even though they remained strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For they clearly expected a country of their own. 15 And truly, if they had focused on the place they had come from, they might have gone back. 16 But they looked for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, who was his only begotten son, 18 of whom God had said, "In Isaac your descendants shall be called." 19 He figured that God was able to raise him from the dead.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things yet to come. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, as he was dying, talked of the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, and gave orders concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and they were not afraid to break the King's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, having grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with God's people instead of enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season, 26 preferring the reproach of Christ of more value than all the riches of Egypt, for he looked forward to the reward. 27 By faith he turned his back on Egypt, not fearing the king, for he looked forward to seeing Him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood so that the destruction of the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, which when the Egyptians attempted it, they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after Israel had walked around them seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those that did not believe after she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, putting to flight foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead when they were raised to life. Some were tortured rather than accept deliverance, because they looked for a better resurrection. 36 Still others experienced mocking, scourging and chains of imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, put to death with the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted and tormented. 38 These were men of whom the world is not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in dens and caves. 39 All of these obtained approval through faith without having received what was promised, 40 because God has something better for us, and they should not be made perfect without us.

Hebrews 12 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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1 Therefore, since we have so many examples of the faithful, let us lay aside everything that weighs us down, those sins which do so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, caring nothing about its shame. And He now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider how He endured such hostility from sinners, so that you do not become weary of your own circumstances and loose heart. 4 In striving against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons, "My son, do not lightly regard the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by Him." 6 "For those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives." 7 It is for discipline that you endure and God deals with you as with sons. For what son's father does not discipline him? 8 But if you are not disciplined, and all children receive discipline, then you are not sons, but illegitimate children. 9 Furthermore, our earthly fathers have disciplined us, and we respect them. How much more we should be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 Our earthly fathers disciplined us for a short while as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good so that we may share in His holiness. 11 When discipline is received it brings sorrow, but afterwards it brings the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who receive it.

12 Therefore, strengthen the hands of those who are weak, 13 and make straight the paths for your feet, that in your weakness you will not stumble, but be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all men, and sanctification which is required if one is to see the LORD. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, lest a root of bitterness spring up to trouble and defile you, 16 that there be no godless or immoral person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you recall that when he later wished to inherit the blessing he was rejected, for he was not repentant, though he sought the blessing with tears. 18 For you have not come to a mountain that cannot be touched, or a blazing fire, or darkness, or gloom or whirlwind, 19 or to the blast of a trumpet, or the sound of words that are such that you beg that no further word be spoken in your hearing. 20 For the Children of Israel could not endure the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." 21 The sight was so terrible that even Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling." 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, in the company of myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. 25 See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking to us. For if they did not escape who refused to hear His warning from the mountain, certainly we cannot expect to escape His warning from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth in that day, and He has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven." 27 The expression, "Yet once more, signifies the removing of created things which can be shaken, so those things which cannot be shaken may remain." 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and thereby exercise reverence and godly fear, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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1 Let the love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels without knowing it.

3 Remember those in chains, as though you were there with them, and those suffering adversity, as though you were right there beside them.

4 Marriage is to be held in honor and the marriage bed undefiled, for fornicators and adulterers will be judged by God. 5 Keep yourself from covetousness, being content with what you have, for God has promised to be with you and meet your needs. 6 We may say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me."

7 Remember those who have taught you God's word. Watch them and imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever more. 9 Do not be carried away by strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be established with grace, not by foods, which some have done without benefit. 10 We have an altar from which some who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of the beasts, whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside of the camp. 12 This is why Jesus suffered outside the gate that He might sanctify the people with His blood. 13 So let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For we do not have a lasting city here, but are looking for the city which is to come. 15 Through Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God. The fruit of our lips is to give thanks to His name.

16 And do not neglect to share and do good, for such sacrifices please God. 17 Obey your leaders, and submit to those who must give an account that they may do this with joy and not grief, which will not profit you.

18 Pray for us, for we trust that we have a clear conscience in all things, having lived honestly. 19 I urge you to do the same, and I am hoping to be restored to you very soon.

20 Now the God of peace, that raised up the LORD Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, that you may be pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 I urge you. Brethren, to bear with this brief exhortation that I have written. 23 Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released. And if he arrives soon, I plan to see you with him. 24 Greet your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13