1So let's move past the basic teachings about Christ and go on to maturity. We shouldn't keep laying the foundation of turning away from worthless actions, of having faith in God,
2of instructions about baptisms, of the laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3And we will do this, if God allows.
4For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5and experienced God's good message and the powers of the age to come,
6and then turned away, it is impossible to bring them back to repentance. By doing so, they are crucifying the Son of God all over again for themselves and publicly shaming him.
7For land that frequently drinks the rain that falls on it and produces crops useful to those who farm it receives God's blessing.
8But if it only produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and in the end, it will be burned.
9However, dear friends, we are convinced that better things await you, things that come with salvation, even though we speak this way.
10Because God is fair. He will not forget your work and the loving service you have shown for his name by helping his people, which you continue to do.
11We want each of you to show the same effort until the end, so that your hope will be completely fulfilled.
12Then you will not be lazy, but instead will imitate those who, through faith and patience, received what God promised.
13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself,
14saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."
15And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham received what God promised.
16People always swear by someone greater than themselves, and an oath confirms what has been said, ending all argument.
17In the same way, God wanted to clearly show the people who would receive his promise that his plan would never change. So he confirmed it with an oath.
18Therefore, by two unchangeable things—God's promise and his oath—it is impossible for God to lie. This gives us, who have taken refuge in him, strong encouragement to hold on to the hope that is set before us.
19We have this hope as a sure and steady anchor for our souls, a hope that reaches into the most holy place behind the curtain.
20Jesus entered that holy place before us, on our behalf, having become a high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.