Warning Against Neglecting Salvation

1Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

2For if the message spoken through angels was valid and every transgression and disobedience received a just retribution,

3how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

4God also bore further witness with signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Jesus the Author of Salvation

5For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.

6But in one place someone has testified:
“What is man that yoʋ are mindful of him,
or the son of man that yoʋ care for him?

7Yoʋ made him a little lower than the angels
and crowned him with glory and ⁵honor;

8yoʋ put everything in subjection under his feet.”
In subjecting everything ⁶to him, God left nothing that is not subjected to him. But now we do not yet see everything subjected to him.

9But we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that ⁷by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10For in bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

11For he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers,

12saying,
“I will declare yoʋr name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing yoʋr praise.”

13And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Here I am, with the children God has given me.”

14Therefore, since the children all have ⁸flesh and blood, Jesus himself took on flesh and blood as well, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but the descendants of Abraham.

17Therefore he had to become like his brothers in every way, so that he could be a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.

18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.