The Epistle to the Hebrews

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 2 -

For this reason, it is necessary for us to observe more thoroughly the things that we have heard, lest we let them slip away.

For if a word that was spoken through the Angels has been made firm, and every transgression and disobedience has received the recompense of a just retribution,

in what way might we escape, if we neglect such a great salvation? For though initially it had begun to be described by the Lord, it was confirmed among us by those who heard him,

with God testifying to it by signs and wonders, and by various miracles, and by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, in accord with his own will.

Jesus like His Brothers

For God did not subject the future world, about which we are speaking, to the Angels.

But someone, in a certain place, has testified, saying: “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the Son of man, that you visit him?

You have reduced him to a little less than the Angels. You have crowned him with glory and honor, and you have set him over the works of your hands.

You have subjected all things under his feet.” For in as much as he has subjected all things to him, he has left nothing not subject to him. But in the present time, we do not yet perceive that all things have been made subject to him.

Yet we understand that Jesus, who was reduced to a little less than the Angels, was crowned with glory and honor because of his Passion and death, in order that, by the grace of God, he might taste death for all.

For it was fitting for him, because of whom and through whom all things exist, who had led many children into glory, to complete the authorship of their salvation through his Passion.(a)

For he who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, are all from One. For this reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying:

“I will announce your name to my brothers. In the midst of the Church, I will praise you.”

And again: “I will be faithful in him.” And again: “Behold, I and my children, whom God has given to me.”

Therefore, because children have a common flesh and blood, he himself also, in like manner, has shared in the same, so that through death, he might destroy him who held the dominion of death, that is, the devil,

and so that he might free those who, through the fear of death, had been condemned to servitude throughout their entire life.

For at no time did he take hold of the Angels, but instead he took hold of the offspring of Abraham.(b)

(c)

Therefore, it is fitting for him to be made similar to his brothers in all things, so that he might become a merciful and faithful High Priest before God, in order that he might bring forgiveness to the offenses of the people.

For in as much as he himself has suffered and has been tempted, he also is able to assist those who are tempted.

Footnotes

(a)2:10 Perfect by his passion:By suffering, Christ was to enter into his glory, Luke. 24:26, which the apostle here calls being made perfect.(Challoner)

(b)2:16 This refers to the Incarnation, by which God became a man, not an angel.(Conte)

(c)2:16 No where doth he, etc:That is, he never took upon him the nature of angels, but that of the seed of Abraham.(Challoner)

Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.

For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard,

God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

Jesus like His Brothers

For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.(a)

You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”(b) For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t yet see all things subjected to him.

But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

For it became him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,(c)

saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.”(d)

Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”(e)

Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring(f) of Abraham.

Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Footnotes

(a)2:7 TR adds “and set him over the works of your hands”

(b)2:8 ℘ Psalms 8:4-6

(c)2:11 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

(d)2:12 ℘ Psalms 22:22

(e)2:13 ℘ Isaiah 8:18

(f)2:16 or, seed