Hebrews, 2

1. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip.

1. So we must pay the closest attention to the preaching we heard, lest we drift away.

2. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

2. If words spoken through angels became law and all disobedience or neglect received its due reward,

3. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];

3. how could we now escape if we neglect such powerful salvation? For the Lord himself announced it first and it was later confirmed by those who heard it.

4. God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

4. God confirmed their testimony by signs, wonders and miracles of every kind - especially by the gifts of the Holy Spirit which he distributed according to his will.

5. For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

5. The angels were not given dominion over the new world of which we are speaking.

6. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

6. Instead someone declared in Scripture: What is man, that you should be mindful of him, what is the son of man that you should care for him?

7. Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

7. For a while you placed him a little lower than the angels, but you crowned him with glory and honor.

8. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

8. You have given him dominion over all things. When it is said that God gave him dominion over all things, nothing is excluded. As it is, we do not yet see his dominion over all things.

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

9. But Jesus who suffered death and for a little while was placed lower than the angels has been crowned with honor and glory. For the merciful plan of God demanded that he experience death on behalf of everyone.

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

10. God, from whom all come and by whom all things exist, wanted to bring many children to glory, and he thought it fitting to make perfect through suffering the initiator of their salvation.

11. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

11. So he who gives and those who receive holiness are one. He himself is not ashamed of calling us brothers and sisters,

12. Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

12. as we read: Lord, I will proclaim your name to my brothers; I will praise you in the congregation.

13. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

13. He also says: I will trust in God; here I am and the children God has given me.

14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

14. And because all those children share one same nature of flesh and blood, Jesus likewise had to share this nature. This is why his death destroyed the one holding the power of death, that is the devil,

15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

15. and freed those who remained in bondage all their lifetime because of the fear of death.

16. For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.

16. Jesus came to take by the hand not the angels but the human race.

17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

17. So he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every respect, in order to be the High Priest faithful to God and merciful to them, a priest able to ask pardon and atone for their sins.

18. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

18. Having been tested through suffering, he is able to help those who are tested.