seech, whereas thou art such an one, as Paul an old man, and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ. 10 1 beseech thee for my son whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus, 11 Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to me and thee, 12 Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels: much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord? 17 If therefore thou count me a partner; receive him as myself,. 18 And if he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is in thy debt put that to my account. 19 1 Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it : not to say to thee, that thou owest me thy ownself also. 20 Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord. Refresh my bow 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might els in the Lord. have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel: 14 But without thy counsel 1 would do nothing that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever: 16 Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me: but how 21 Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers, I shall be given unto you. 23 There salute thee Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ JESUS 24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-labourers. 25 The grace of our Lord JESUS Christ be with your spirit. Amen. The EPISTLE of St. PAUL to the HEBREWS. CHAP. I. God spoke of old by his prophets, GOD, who at in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, 2 In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world. ted a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the Angels hath he said at any time, Thou art my son, to-day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. 6 And again when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith: And let all the angels of God adore him. 3 Who being the brightness of 7 And to the angels indeed he his glory, and the figure of his sub-saith: He that maketh his angels, stance, and upholding all things by spirits: and his ministers a flume the word of his power, making pur- of fire. gation of sins, sitteth on the right 8. But to the son: Thy throne, O hand of the majesty on high: God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre 4 Being made so much better of justice is the sceptre of thy kingthan the Angels, as he hath inheri-dom. Ver. 3. The figure xaparinp, the express image and most perfect resemblance. Ver. 3. Making purgation. That is, having purged away our sins by his passion. The transgression of the prece than the angels; thou hast croumed him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands, 8 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet. For in that he hath subjected all things to him, he left nothing not subject to him. But now we see not as yet all things subject to him. 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 through the grace of God he might taste death for all. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, who had brought many children into glory, to perfect the author of their salvation, by his passion. 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, precepts of saying: the Son of God condemnable. THEREFORE ought ve more diligently to observe the things which we have heard: lest perhaps we should let them slip. 2 For if the word, spoken by angels, became steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward: 3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? which having begun to be declared by the Lord, was confirmed unto us, by them that heard him, 4 God' also bearing them witness by signs, and wonders, and divers miracles, and distributions of the Holy Ghost according to his own will. 5 For God hath not subjected unto angels the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place hath testified, saying: What is man, that thou art mindful of him: or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou hast made him a little lower 12 I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee. 13 And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Behold I and my children, whom God hath given me. 14 Therefore because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner hath been partaker of the same : that, through death, he might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil: 15 And might deliver them who through the fear of death were all their life time subject to servitude. 16 For no where doth he take hold of the angels: but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold. 17 Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high-priest before God, that he might be a propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that, wherein he himCHAP. III. Christ is more excellent than Moses. self hath suffered and been tempt- empt- 14 For we are made partakers ed, he is able to succour them also of Christ: yet so if we hold the bethat are tempted. WHEREFORE, holy breth ginning of his substance firm unto the end. 15 While it is said, To-day if you shall hear his voice harden not your hearts as in that provocation. ren, partakers of the heavenly vocation, consider the apostle 16 For some who heard did and high-priest of our confession provoke: but not all that came out JESUS. 2 Who is faithful to him that made him, as was also Moses in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by so much as he that hath built the house, hath greater honour than the house. 4 For every house is built by some man: but he that created all things, is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be said: 6. But Christ as the Son in his own house: which house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and glory of hope unto the end. 7 Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith: To-day if you shall hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts as in the provocation; in the day of temptation in the desert, 9 Where your fathers tempted me, proved and saw my works. 10 Forty years: For which cause I was offended with this generation, and said: They always err in heart. And they have not known my ways, 11 As I have sworn in my wrath: If they shall enter into my rest. 12 Take heed, brethren, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, to depart from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, whilst it is called to-day, that none of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. of Egypt by Moses. 17 And with whom was he offended forty years? Was it not with them that sinned, whose carcases were overthrown in the desert? 18 And to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest: but to them that were incredulous? 19 And we see that they could not enter in, because of unbelief. L us CHAP. IV. The Christian's rest. ET fear therefore lest the promise being left of entering into his rest, any of vou should be thought to be wanting. 2 For unto us also it hath been declared, in like manner as unto them. But the word of hearing did not profit them, not being mixed with faith of those things they heard. 3 For we, who have believed, shall enter into rest; as he said: As I have sworn in my wrath: If they shall enter into my rest; and this indeed when the works from the foundation of the world were finished. 4 For in a certain place he spoke of the seventh day thus: And God rested the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again: If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing then it remaineth that some are to enter into it, and they, to whom it was first preached, did not enter because of unbelief: 7 Again he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time, as it is above said: Today if you shall hear his voice; harden not your hearts. 8 For if JESUs had given them the honour to himself, but he that rest: he would never have after- is called by God, as Aaron was. wards spoken of another day. 5 So Christ also did not glorify: himself that he might be made a high-priest: but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 9 There remaineth therefore a day of rest for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, the same also hath rested from his works, as God did from his. 6 As he saith also in another 11 Let us hasten therefore to en-place: Thou art a priest for ever, ter into that rest: lest any man fall according to the order of Melchiseinto the same example of unbelief. dech, 12 For the word of God is living 7 Who in the days of his flesh, and effectual, and more piercing with a strong cry and tears, offer than any two-edged sword: and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature invisible in his sight: but all things are naked and open to his eyes, to whom our speech is. ing up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence. 8 And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered : 9 And being consummated, he became, to all that obey him, the cause of eternal salvation. 10 Called by God a high-priest 14 Having therefore a great high-according to the order of Melchisepriest that hath passed into the hea- dech. vens, Jesus the Son of God: let us 11 Of whom we have much to hold fast our confession. 15 For we have not a high-priest, who cannot have compassion on our say, and hard to be intelligibly uttered: because you are become weak to hear. infirmities: but one tempted in all 12 For whereas for the time you things like as we are, without sin. The office of a high-priest. FOR every high-priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because he himself also is compassed with infirmity : 3 And therefore he ought, as for the people, SO also for himself, to offer for sins. ought to be masters; you have need to be taught again what are the first elements of the words of God: and you are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one, that is a partaker of milk, is unskilful in the word of justice: for he is a little child. 14 But strong meat is for the perfect, for them who by custom have their senses exercised to the discerning of good and evil. CHAP. VI. He warns them of the danger of falling by apostacy. WHEREFORE leaving the beginning of 4 Neither doth any man take Christ, let us go on to things more Chap. 4. Ver.8. Jesus. Josue, who, in Greek, is called Jesus. Chap.6. Ver.1. The word of the beginning. The first rudiments of the christian doctrine, perfect, not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God. 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 13 For God making promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself, 14 Saying: Unless blessing I shall bless thee, and multiplying I shall multiply thee. 15 And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise. 16 For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their 4 For it is impossible for those, who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy controversy. Ghost, 5 Have moreover tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 And are fallen away; to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery. 17 Wherein God meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath : 18 That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, who have fled for refuge to 7 For the earth that drinketh in hold fast the hope set before us. the rain, which cometh often upon 19 Which we have as an anit, and bringeth forth herbs meet chor of the soul, sure and firm, and for them by whom it is tilled: re- which entereth in even within the ceiveth blessing from God. veil; 8 But that which bringeth forth thorns and briars, is reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt. 9 But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus. 10 For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work and the love which you have shown in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints. 11 And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end : 12 That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises. 20 Where the fore-runner JESUS is entered for us, made a high-priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. CHAP. VII. The priesthood of Christ excels the FOR this Melchisedech wasking 2 To whom also Abraham divided the tithes of all: who first indeed by interpretation is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace, 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, Chap. 6. Ver. 4. It is impossible, &c. the meaning is, that it is impossible for such as have fallen after baptism to be again baptized: and very hard for such as have apostauned from the faith, after having received many great graces, to return again to the happ from which they fell. Chap. 7. Ver. 3. Without father, &c. Not that he had no father, &c. but that father, nor his pedigree, nor his birth, nor his death is set down in scripture |