Most Prolific Author

by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2013, all rights reserved.

Chapter 1

Do you remember Stephen from the book of Acts?

He was one of the seven chosen to oversee the serving of the tables so that the Apostles wouldn't be burdened with it. (Acts chapter 6)

But God blessed and used Stephen.

Acts chapter six, verses

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 Then certain of the synagogue that is called the synagogue of the Libertines arose, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

So they brought Stephen to the council, where Stephen preached a great sermon in Acts chapter 7, at the end of which,

(still chapter 7)

58 And threw him out of the city (Stephen), and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling on God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

60 And he kneeled down, and shouted with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them."  And when he had said this, he died.

So Stephen became a martyr for Jesus.

Notice in verse 58, those who stoned Stephen laid down their coats at a young man's feet named Saul.  And Saul approved of their stoning of Stephen. (Acts 8:1)  This Saul is Saul of Tarsus, of the tribe of Benjamin, who later became the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Paul wrote fourteen of the books of the Bible.  In my count of fourteen, I'm including the book of Hebrews.

Some might say, "But the book of Hebrews doesn't tell us who is writing it."  Yes, but look at the style.  Don't you think that's very much Paul's style?

And Hebrews is very intellectual.  Paul seems to be one of the main Theologians of the Bible.

And what did Peter say in 2 Pet chapter 3,

15 And consider that the patience of our Lord is salvation, like our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you,

16 As also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things, in which are some things difficult to understand...

So then, even Peter thought Paul was quite sophisticated.

But here's the clincher.  God gave Kenneth E. Hagin many visions.  In one of those visions, Hagin asked the Lord whether Paul wrote Hebrews.  The Lord answered, yes.

Many of Hagin's visions are in his book, "I Believe in Visions."  See  www.Rhema.org

In Acts chapter 8, verses

3 As for Saul, he fought against the church, entering into every house, and arresting men and women, sent them to prison.

4 Therefore those who were scattered around went everywhere preaching the word.

Saul was still of the opinion that Christianity was wrong.

Chapter 2

___Acts chapter 9

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

2 And desired from him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, so that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he could bring them to Jerusalem in handcuffs.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shined around him,

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?"  And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom you're persecuting, it is hard for you to kick against the sharp points."

6 And he, trembling and astonished said, "Lord, what do you want me to do?"  And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go into the city, and you'll be told what you must do."

7 And the men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul got up from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one, but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was without sight for three days, and didn't eat or drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias."  And he said, "See, I am here, Lord."

11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up, and go into the street that is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for someone called Saul of Tarsus, for see, he's praying,

12 And has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, so that he'll receive his sight."

13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem,

14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all that call on your name."

15 But the Lord said to him, "Be on your way, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel,

16 For I will show him how he must suffer great things for my name's sake."

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and putting his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, that appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me, so that you'll receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."

18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received sight immediately, and got up, and was baptized.

And so now, we have Paul the Apostle, after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.

In 1 Cor 15:8, Paul said something about, "as if by someone born at the wrong time," speaking about himself.

It may have felt sometimes to Paul like he was born at the wrong time, but no, I believe the Lord got Paul born at just the right moment, so that Paul would be a key player in God's scheme of things.  And surely, Paul will shine like the stars of heaven in eternity.

Paul had a great burden for his people, Israel.  And even today, most of the Jews do not accept Jesus as their Messiah.

And yet, Jesus was born of a virgin, as prophesied.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as prophesied.  Jesus later lived in Nazareth.  It was prophesied that he would be a Nazarene.

Perhaps the thing that was a stumbling block for the Jews is that they were expecting the Messiah to set up an earthly kingdom.  But while he was on earth, Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world."

Later, though, Jesus will rule the world for a thousand years.

But first, a counterfeit Messiah will come along and deceive the Jews into thinking he's the Messiah.  He is called the Antichrist and the Beast. (Book of Daniel and Book of Revelation)

Chapter 3

The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give us the basics of Christianity.  Then Acts gives us a history of the early Christian church.

After that, it's mostly epistles, or letters, which is where Paul comes in.

After the basics in the first four gospels, the epistles are rich with additional information about living the Christian life.

But especially important is Hebrews chapter 11, which is also called the faith chapter.  The Bible says we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor 5:7)

Here is the faith chapter.

___Hebrews chapter 11

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things that are seen were not made from things that appear.

4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts, and by it he, being dead, spoke anyway.

5 By faith Enoch was translated so that he didn't see death, and was not found, because God had translated him, for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he's a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved by fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his family, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness that is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place that he would afterward receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he was a visitor in the land of promise, like in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise,

10 For he looked for a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also, Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and received deliverance from a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore there sprang from one, and him as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and like the sand that is by the sea shore uncountable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country that they had come out of, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly, so then God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 About whom it had been said, "In Isaac shall your descendants be called,"

19 Counting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, from where he'd also received him, sort-of.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith, Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a proper child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect to the payment of the reward.

27 By faith, he forsook Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king, for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, so that he that destroyed the firstborn wouldn't touch them.

29 By faith, they passed through the Red sea on dry land, which the Egyptians trying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were surrounded seven days.

31 By faith, the prostitute Rahab didn't die with those who didn't believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I say more?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets,

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so that they'd obtain a better resurrection,

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, also of bonds and imprisonment,

37 They were stoned, they were sawed in pieces, were tempted, were killed by the sword, they wandered around in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented,

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy,) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, didn't receive the promise,

40 God having provided some better thing for us, so that they without us wouldn't be made perfect.

Scriptures quoted are from the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version and the New Testament, Hoehn Version, both available as ebooks for the Kindle readers from Amazon.com.

The Lord bless you.  Frederick Hoehn

www.FredHoehnMinistries.com

___Hebrews chapter 1

1 God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in the past to the fathers by the prophets,

2 Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds,

3 Who, being the brightness of his glory, and the specific image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5 For to which of the angels did he ever say, "You're my Son, this day I've begotten you?"  And again, "I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?"

6 And again, when he brings in the first person that was fathered into the world, he says, "And let all the angels of God worship him."

7 And about the angels he says, "Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire."

8 But to the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and always, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You've loved righteousness, and hated sin, therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your fellows."

10 And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, have laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands,

11 They shall be destroyed, but you remain, and they'll all grow old like a piece of clothing does,

12 And like a vesture you'll fold them up, and they'll be changed, but you're the same, and your years won't fail."

13 But to which of the angels did he ever say, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool?"

14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?

___Hebrews chapter 2

1 Therefore we ought to pay more earnest attention to the things that we've heard, so we won't ever let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was solid, and every transgression and disobedience received a proper punishment,

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect such great salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard him,

4 God also bearing them witness, with signs and wonders, and with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

5 For he hasn't put the world to come in subjection to the angels, about which we speak.

6 But someone in a certain place testified, saying, "What is man, that you are mindful of him?  Or the son of man, that you visit him?

7 You made him a little lower than the angels, you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands,

8 You've put all things in subjection under his feet."  For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that hasn't been put under him.  But now, we don't yet see all things put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, so that he by the grace of God would taste death for every man.

10 For it was fitting for him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For he that sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all of one, which is why he's not ashamed to call them brothers,

12 Saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers, in the church I'll sing praise to you."

13 And again, "I will put my trust in him."  And again, "See, I and the children that God has given me."

14 So, since the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, so that through death he would destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 And give deliverance to those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For truly he didn't take on himself the nature of angels, but he took on himself the descendancy from Abraham.

17 So in all things it was necessary for him to be made like his brothers, so that he would be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

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

___Hebrews chapter 3

1 So, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus,

2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, like Moses was also faithful in all his house.

3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, since he who built the house has more honor than the house.

4 For every house has been built by some man, but the builder of all things is God.

5 And Moses truly was faithful in all his house, like a servant, for a testimony of the things that were to be spoken afterward,

6 But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold tightly the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

7 So (as the Holy Ghost says, "Today if you'll hear his voice,

8 Don't harden your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness,

9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

10 So I was grieved with that generation, and said, They always err in their heart, and they haven't known my ways.

11 So I swore in my anger, They won't enter into my rest.)"

12 Take heed, brothers, so there won't be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort each other daily, while it is called today, so that none of you will be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steady until the end,

15 While it is said, "Today if you'll hear his voice, don't harden your hearts, as in the provocation."

16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke, but not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

17 But with whom was he grieved forty years?  Was it not with those who had sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom did he promise that they would not enter into his rest, but to those who didn't believe?

19 So we see that they couldn't enter in because of unbelief.

___Hebrews chapter 4

1 Let us therefore fear, so that a promise being left us of entering into his rest, none of you will seem to come short of it.

2 For the gospel was preached to us, as well as to them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

3 For we that have believed enter into rest, as he said, "As I have sworn in my anger, if they shall enter into my rest," although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For he spoke in a certain place about the seventh day like this, "And God rested the seventh day from all his works."

5 And in this place again, "If they shall enter into my rest."

6 Therefore seeing it remains that some must enter into it, and those to whom it was first preached didn't enter in because of unbelief,

7 Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, today, after such a long a time, as it is said, "Today if you'll hear his voice, don't harden your hearts."

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then he wouldn't afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that has entered into his rest, has also stopped from his own works, like God did from his.

11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, so that no man will fall after the same example of unbelief.

12 For the word of God is alive, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the separating of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Nor is there any creature that is not clearly visible in his sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold tightly our profession.

15 For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched by the feeling of our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, so we can obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

___Hebrews chapter 5

1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, so that he can offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins,

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on those who are on the wrong road, because he himself also is surrounded by weakness.

3 And because of that, he ought, like for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that has been called by God, as was Aaron.

5 So also, Christ didn't glorify himself to be made a high priest, but he that said to him, "You're my Son, today I've begotten you."

6 As he says also in another place, "You're a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard because he feared,

8 Though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things he suffered,

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey him,

10 Called by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

11 About whom we have many things to say, and hard to be said, seeing you are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God, and have become those who need milk, not strong meat.

13 For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.

14 But strong meat belongs to those who are of full age, those who, because of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

___Hebrews chapter 6

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And we'll do this, if God permits.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify to themselves the Son of God again, and put him to an open shame.

7 For the earth that drinks in the rain that often comes on it, and produces vegetables appropriate for the farmers, receives blessing from God,

8 But that which produces thorns and briers is rejected, and is near cursing, whose end is to be burned.

9 But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we talk like this.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, that you've shown toward his name, in that you've ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that each one of you shows the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end,

12 So that you're not slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,

14 Saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you."

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16 For men truly swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17 In which God, willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the indestructability of his advice, confirmed it by an oath,

18 So that by two unchangeable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we would have a strong consolation, who've fled for refuge to take hold on the hope set before us,

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that inside the veil,

20 Where the one running ahead has entered for us, Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

___Hebrews chapter 7

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him,

2 To whom also Abraham gave one tenth of all, first being by interpretation "King of righteousness," and after that also "King of Salem," which is, "King of peace,"

3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, lives a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

5 And truly those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take ten percent from the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though they come out of the loins of Abraham,

6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received ten percent from Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7 And without all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the greater.

8 And here men that die receive ten percent, but there he receives it, about whom it is witnessed that he lives.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receives tenths, paid tenths in Abraham.

10 For he was still in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there for another priest to rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is necessarily a change made also of the law.

13 For he about whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord came out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident, that after the likeness of Melchizedek another priest arises,

16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17 For he testifies, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

18 For there is truly a cancellation of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitability of it.

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by which we draw near to God.

20 And since with an oath he was made priest,

21 (For those priests were made without an oath, but this with an oath by him that said to him, "The Lord swore and won't go back on it, You're a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek,)"

22 By so much was Jesus made a surety bond of a better testament.

23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not allowed to continue because of death,

24 But this man, because he continues always, has an unchangeable priesthood.

25 So he is able also to save to the uttermost those who come to God by him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a high priest was appropriate for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens,

27 Who doesn't need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's, for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law makes men high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which was more recent than the law, makes the Son, who is consecrated forever.

___Hebrews chapter 8

1 Now here is the summation of the things that we have spoken.  We have such a high priest, who sits at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, that the Lord pitched, and not man.

3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, so it is necessary that this man have somewhat also to offer.

4 For if he were on earth, he wouldn't be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law,

5 Who serve in the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for "See," he said, "that you make all things according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain."

6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he said, "See, the days come, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they didn't continue in my covenant, and I didn't pay attention 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'll put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts, and I'll be to them a God, and they'll be to me a people,

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I'll remember no more."

13 In that he says, "A new covenant," he has made the first old.  Now that which decays and grows old is ready to vanish away.

___Hebrews chapter 9

1 Then truly, the first covenant also had ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made, the first, in which was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle that is called the Holiest of all,

4 Which had the golden censer, and the gold-plated ark of the covenant, in which was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant,

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat, about which we can't now speak particularly.

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

7 But into the second, the high priest went by himself once every year, not without blood, that he offered for himself and for the errors of the people,

8 The Holy Ghost thus signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made clear, while the first tabernacle was yet standing,

9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertains to the conscience,

10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and various washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

11 But Christ having become a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building,

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean make them holy, purifying the flesh,

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this purpose, he is the mediator of the new testament, so that by means of death, for the redemption of the sins that were under the first testament, those who are called would receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must necessarily also be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead, otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives.

18 And so, the first testament wasn't dedicated without blood, either.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and red wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, "This is the blood of the testament that God has commanded to you."

21 Also he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the containers of the ministry.

22 And by the law, almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission of sin.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ hasn't entered into the holy places made by hands, which are the likenesses of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us,

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others,

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world, but now once in the end of the world he has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment,

28 So Christ was once offered to carry the sins of many, and to those who look for him he'll appear the second time without sin for salvation.

___Hebrews chapter 10

1 For the law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices that they offered year by year continually make the comers to it perfect.

2 For then would they not have stopped being offered?  Because the worshippers once purged would have had no more conscience of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats can take away sins.

5 So when he comes into the world, he says, "Sacrifice and offering you didn't want, but you've prepared a body for me,

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you've had no pleasure.

7 Then I said, See, I come (in the volume of the book it is written about me,) to do your will, Oh God."

8 Above when he said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you didn't want, nor had pleasure in that, which are offered by the law,"

9 Then he said, "See, I come to do your will, O God."  He takes away the first, so he can establish the second.

10 By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, that can never take away sins,

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

13 From then on expecting, until his enemies would be made his footstool.

14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.

15 About which the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us, for after he had said before,

16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and I'll write them in their minds,

17 And their sins and iniquities I won't remember anymore."

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, that he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,

21 And having a high priest over the house of God,

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold tightly the profession of our faith without wavering, (for he is faithful that promised,)

24 And let us consider each other to provoke to love and to good works,

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting each other, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin willfully after we've received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses,

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, shall he be thought worthy, who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that has said, "Vengeance belongs to me, I will repay, says the Lord."  And again, "The Lord shall judge his people."

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions,

33 Partly, while you were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly, while you became companions of those who were treated that way.

34 For you had compassion on me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Therefore, don't throw away your confidence, which has great payment of reward.

36 For you need patience, so that after you've done the will of God, you'll receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not wait.

38 Now "The just shall live by faith," but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of those who draw back to hell, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

___Hebrews chapter 11

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things that are seen were not made from things that appear.

4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts, and by it he, being dead, spoke anyway.

5 By faith Enoch was translated so that he didn't see death, and was not found, because God had translated him, for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he's a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved by fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his family, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness that is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place that he would afterward receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By faith he was a visitor in the land of promise, like in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise,

10 For he looked for a city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also, Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and received deliverance from a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore there sprang from one, and him as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and like the sand that is by the sea shore uncountable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country that they had come out of, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly, so then God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 About whom it had been said, "In Isaac shall your descendants be called,"

19 Counting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead, from where he'd also received him, sort-of.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith, Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a proper child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect to the payment of the reward.

27 By faith, he forsook Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king, for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, so that he that destroyed the firstborn wouldn't touch them.

29 By faith, they passed through the Red sea on dry land, which the Egyptians trying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were surrounded seven days.

31 By faith, the prostitute Rahab didn't die with those who didn't believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I say more?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets,

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, so that they'd obtain a better resurrection,

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, also of bonds and imprisonment,

37 They were stoned, they were sawed in pieces, were tempted, were killed by the sword, they wandered around in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented,

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy,) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, didn't receive the promise,

40 God having provided some better thing for us, so that they without us wouldn't be made perfect.

___Hebrews chapter 12

1 So, seeing we are also surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, so you won't be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 You haven't yet resisted as far as bleeding, striving against sin.

5 And you've forgotten the exhortation that speaks to you as to children, "My son, don't despise the spanking of the Lord, and don't faint when you're scolded by him,

6 For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and spanks every son whom he receives."

7 If you endure spanking, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father doesn't spank?

8 But if you're without spanking, of which all are partakers, then you're bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence.  Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they, truly for a few days, spanked us as they saw fit, but he for our profit, so we'd be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no spanking for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous, but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it.

12 So lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees,

13 And make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame isn't turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,

15 Looking diligently so that no man loses any of the grace of God, so that no root of bitterness springing up troubles you, and many are defiled by that,

16 So that there's no fornicator, or profane person, like Esau, who for one bit of food sold his birthright.

17 For you know that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

18 For you haven't come to the mountain that can be touched, and that burned with fire, nor to blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which voice those who heard asked that the word wouldn't be spoken to them anymore,

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, "And if so much as an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart,"

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I very much fear and shake.")

22 But you've come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an uncountable multitude of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, that are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.

25 See that you don't refuse him that speaks.  For if they didn't escape who refused him that spoke on earth, much more we won't escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven,

26 Whose voice then shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven."

27 And this word, "Yet once more," signifies the removing of the things that are shaken, as about things that are made, so that the things that can't be shaken will remain.

28 So, we receiving a kingdom that can't be moved, let us have grace, by which we can serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear,

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

___Hebrews chapter 13

1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Don't be forgetful to entertain strangers, for by doing that, some have unknowingly entertained angels.

3 Remember those who are in shackles, as bound with them, and those who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but God will judge customers of prostitutes and adulterers.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I'll never leave you, nor forsake you."

6 So that we can boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I won't fear what man can do to me."

7 Remember those who have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

9 Don't be carried around by various and strange doctrines.  For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace.  Not with foods, that haven't profited those who've been occupied with that.

10 We have an altar, of which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.

12 So Jesus also, so that he'd make the people holy with his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13 Therefore let's go out to him outside the camp, carrying his reproach.

14 For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But don't forget to do good and to give, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey those who have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, like those who must give account, so that they can do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us, for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honestly.

19 But I ask you please rather to do this, so I'll be returned to you sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, 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, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and always.  Amen.

22 And I ask you please, brothers, allow the word of exhortation, for I have written a letter to you in few words.

23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom, if he comes shortly, I'll see you.

24 Greet all those who have the rule over you, and all the saints.  Those of Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all.  Amen.