1. Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,
2. of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3. This will we do, if God permits.
4. For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5. and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come,
6. and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.
7. For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often on it, and produces a crop suitable for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God;
8. but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
9. But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like this.
10. For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.