^1. We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

^2. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,

^3. how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

^4. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

^5. It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.

^6. But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

^7. You made him a little [1] lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor

^8. and put everything under his feet." [2] In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

^9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

^10. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

^11. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

^12. He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." [3]

^13. And again, "I will put my trust in him." [5] And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." [4]

^14. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--

^15. and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

^16. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.

^17. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for [6] the sins of the people.

^18. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.