7. For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;
8. but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
9. But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way.
10. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.
11. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
12. so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13. For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,