Epistula ad Hebraeos, 1

1. Multifariam et multis modis olim Deus locutus patribus in prophetis,

1. In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets;

2. in novissimis his diebus locutus est nobis in Filio, quem constituit heredem universorum, per quem fecit et saecula;

2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

3. qui, cum sit splendor gloriae et figura substantiae eius et portet omnia verbo virtutis suae, purgatione peccatorum facta, consedit ad dexteram maiestatis in excelsis,

3. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

4. tanto melior angelis effectus, quanto differentius prae illis nomen hereditavit.

4. having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs.

5. Cui enim dixit aliquando angelorum: “Filius meus es tu; ego hodie genui te” et rursum: “Ego ero illi in patrem, et ipse erit mihi in filium”?

5. For to what angel did God ever say, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"?

6. Cum autem iterum introducit primogenitum in orbem terrae, dicit: “Et adorent eum omnes angeli Dei”.

6. And again, when he brings the first-born into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

7. Et ad angelos quidem dicit: “Qui facit angelos suos spiritus et ministros suos flammam ignis”;

7. Of the angels he says, "Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire."

8. ad Filium autem: “Thronus tuus, Deus, in saeculum saeculi, et virga aequitatis virga regni tui.

8. But of the Son he says, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the righteous scepter is the scepter of thy kingdom.

9. Dilexisti iustitiam et odisti iniquitatem, propterea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo exsultationis prae participibus tuis”

9. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness beyond thy comrades."

10. et: “Tu in principio, Domine, terram fundasti; et opera manuum tuarum sunt caeli.

10. And, "Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands;

11. Ipsi peribunt, tu autem permanes; et omnes ut vestimentum veterascent,

11. they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment,

12. et velut amictum involves eos, sicut vestimentum et mutabuntur. Tu autem idem es, et anni tui non deficient”.

12. like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end."

13. Ad quem autem angelorum dixit aliquando: “Sede a dextris meis, donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum”?

13. But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet"?

14. Nonne omnes sunt administratorii spiritus, qui in ministerium mittuntur propter eos, qui hereditatem capient salutis?

14. Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?