EXHORTATIONS TO GODLINESS

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesush—20 he has inauguratedE for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his fleshi)—21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,j 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.k 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.l 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other,m and all the more as you see the day approaching.

WARNING AGAINST DELIBERATE SIN

26 For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,n 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.o 28 Anyone who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.p 29 How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profaneF the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?q 30 For we know the one who has said,

Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,G,H

and again,

The Lord will judge his people.I,r

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