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Hebrews
13 chapters · New Testament
Hebrews is a sermon-letter arguing that Jesus is superior to every Old Testament institution — angels, Moses, the priesthood, and the sacrifices. He is the final revelation of God, the great high priest after the order of Melchizedek, and the perfect sacrifice that makes sinners holy. The famous 'hall of faith' in chapter 11 and the call to run with endurance the race set before us make Hebrews one of the most exhortative books in the New Testament.
Hebrews is part of the New Testament, one of the sixty-six books that together form the Christian Bible. It has been carefully preserved through centuries of translation and remains essential reading for understanding God's relationship with humanity. Below you can begin reading Hebrews in the World English Bible translation. Switch between WEB, KJV, ASV, and BSB on any chapter page to compare renderings of the original Greek text.
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Hebrews 1
1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.
3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have.
5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father?”Psalm 2:7 and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?”2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13
6 When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX
7 Of the angels he says, “Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire.”Psalm 104:4
8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”Psalm 45:6-7
10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does.
12 You will roll them up like a mantle, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years will not fail.”Psalm 102:25-27
13 But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?”Psalm 110:1
14 Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 2
1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.
2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense;
3 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;
4 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?
5 For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.
6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him?
7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.TR adds “and set him over the works of your hands”
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”Psalm 8:4-6 For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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,The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
12 saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among of the congregation I will sing your praise.”Psalm 22:22
13 Again, “I will put my trust in him.”Isaiah 8:17 Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”Isaiah 8:18
14 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,
15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspringor, seed of Abraham.
17 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.
18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
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