²⁶For dif we go on sinning deliberately eafter receiving the knowledge of the truth, fthere no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷gbut a fearful expectation of judgment, and ha fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. ²⁸iAnyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy jon the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁹How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one kwho has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned lthe blood of the covenant mby which he was sanctified, and has noutraged the Spirit of grace? ³⁰For we know him who said, o“Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, p“The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹qIt is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³²But recall the former days when, after ryou were enlightened, you endured sa hard struggle with sufferings, ³³sometimes being tpublicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴For uyou had compassion on those in prison, and vyou joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had wa better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has xa great reward. ³⁶For yyou have need of endurance, so that zwhen you have done the will of God you may areceive what is promised. ³⁷For,

b“Yet a little while,

and cthe coming one will come and will not delay;

³⁸dbut my righteous one shall live by faith,

and if he shrinks back,

my soul has no pleasure in him.”

³⁹But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

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