Epistula ad Hebraeos, 6
1. Quapropter praetermittentes inchoationis Christi sermonem ad perfectionem feramur, non rursum iacientes fundamentum paenitentiae ab operibus mortuis et fidei ad Deum,
1. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2. baptismatum doctrinae, impositionis quoque manuum, ac resurrectionis mortuorum et iudicii aeterni.
2. with instruction about ablutions, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3. Et hoc faciemus, si quidem permiserit Deus.
3. And this we will do if God permits.
4. Impossibile est enim eos, qui semel sunt illuminati, gustaverunt etiam donum caeleste et participes sunt facti Spiritus Sancti
4. For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5. et bonum gustaverunt Dei verbum virtutesque saeculi venturi
5. and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6. et prolapsi sunt, rursus renovari ad paenitentiam, rursum crucifigentes sibimetipsis Filium Dei et ostentui habentes.
6. if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt.
7. Terra enim saepe venientem super se bibens imbrem et generans herbam opportunam illis, propter quos et colitur, accipit benedictionem a Deo;
7. For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.
8. proferens autem spinas ac tribulos reproba est et maledicto proxima, cuius finis in combustionem.
8. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.
9. Confidimus autem de vobis, dilectissimi, meliora et viciniora saluti, tametsi ita loquimur;
9. Though we speak thus, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation.
10. non enim iniustus Deus, ut obliviscatur operis vestri et dilectionis, quam ostendistis nomini ipsius, qui ministrastis sanctis et ministratis.
10. For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.
11. Cupimus autem unumquemque vestrum eandem ostentare sollicitudinem ad expletionem spei usque in finem,
11. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end,
12. ut non segnes efficiamini, verum imitatores eorum, qui fide et patientia hereditant promissiones.
12. so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13. Abrahae namque promittens Deus, quoniam neminem habuit, per quem iuraret maiorem, iuravit per semetipsum
13. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,
14. dicens: “Utique benedicens benedicam te et multiplicans multiplicabo te”;
14. saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you."
15. et sic longanimiter ferens adeptus est repromissionem.
15. And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.
16. Homines enim per maiorem sui iurant, et omnis controversiae eorum finis ad confirmationem est iuramentum;
16. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
17. in quo abundantius volens Deus ostendere pollicitationis heredibus immobilitatem consilii sui, se interposuit iure iurando,
17. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath,
18. ut per duas res immobiles, in quibus impossibile est mentiri Deum, fortissimum solacium habeamus, qui confugimus ad tenendam propositam spem;
18. so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.
19. quam sicut ancoram habemus animae, tutam ac firmam et incedentem usque in interiora velaminis,
19. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain,
20. ubi praecursor pro nobis introivit Iesus, secundum ordinem Melchisedech pontifex factus in aeternum.
20. where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchiz'edek.
