Part 283

12:21. And so terrible was that which was seen, Moses said: I am frighted, and tremble.

12:22. But you are come to mount Sion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels,

12:23. And to the church of the firstborn who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,

12:24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel.

12:25. See that you refuse him not that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke upon earth, much more shall not we that turn away from him that speaketh to us from heaven.

12:26. Whose voice then moved the earth; but now he promiseth, saying: Yet once more: and I will move, not only the earth, but heaven also.

12:27. And in that he saith: Yet once more, he signifieth the translation of the moveable things as made, that those things may remain which are immoveable.

12:28. Therefore, receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace: whereby let us serve, pleasing God, with fear and reverence.

12:29. For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews Chapter 13

Divers admonitions and exhortations.

13:1. Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you.

13:2. And hospitality do not forget: for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels.

13:3. Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them: and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.

13:4. Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Or, Let marriage be honourable in all. . .That is, in all things belonging to the marriage state. This is a warning to married people, not to abuse the sanctity of their state, by any liberties or irregularities contrary thereunto. Now it does not follow from this text that all persons are obliged to marry, even if the word omnibus were rendered, in all persons, instead of in all things: for if it was a precept, St. Paul himself would have transgressed it, as he never married. Moreover, those who have already made a vow to God to lead a single life, should they attempt to marry, they would incur their own damnation. 1 Tim. 5. 12.

13:5. Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have. For he hath said: I will not leave thee: neither will I forsake thee.

13:6. So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me.

13:7. Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,

13:8. Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today: and the same for ever.

13:9. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats: which have not profited those that walk in them.

13:10. We have an altar whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle.

13:11. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holies by the high priest for sin are burned without the camp.

13:12. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13:13. Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. . .That is, bearing his cross. It is an exhortation to them to be willing to suffer with Christ, reproaches, persecutions, and even death, if they desire to partake of the benefit of his suffering for man's redemption.

13:14. For, we have not here a lasting city: but we seek one that is to come.

13:15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.