Hebrews · Bible in Basic English
Hebrews 10 Bible in Basic English
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
BBE Bible in Basic English
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 For the law, being only a poor copy of the future good things, and not the true image of those things, is never able to make the people who come to the altar every year with the same offerings completely clean.
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.
1 Σκιὰν γὰρ ἔχων ὁ νόμος τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν, οὐκ αὐτὴν τὴν εἰκόνα τῶν πραγμάτων, κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτὸν ταῖς αὐταῖς θυσίαις ἃς προσφέρουσιν εἰς τὸ διηνεκές, οὐδέποτε δύναται τοὺς προσερχομένους τελειῶσαι·
2 For if this had been possible, would there not have been an end of those offerings, because the worshippers would have been made completely clean and would have been no longer conscious of sins?
2 Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins?
2 ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἂν ἐπαύσαντο προσφερόμεναι, διὰ τὸ μηδεμίαν ἔχειν ἔτι συνείδησιν ἁμαρτιῶν τοὺς λατρεύοντας, ἅπαξ κεκαθαρμένους;
3 But year by year there is a memory of sins in those offerings.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins.
3 ἀλλ᾽ ἐν αὐταῖς ἀνάμνησις ἁμαρτιῶν κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτόν·
4 Because it is not possible for the blood of oxen and goats to take away sins.
4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.
4 ἀδύνατον γὰρ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων ἀφαιρεῖν ἁμαρτίας.
5◆ So that when he comes into the world, he says, You had no desire for offerings, but you made a body ready for me;
5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “You didn’t desire sacrifice and offering, but you prepared a body for me.
5 Διὸ εἰσερχόμενος εἰς τὸν κόσμον λέγει· θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν οὐκ ἠθέλησας, σῶμα δὲ κατηρτίσω μοι·
6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
6 ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ εὐδόκησας·
7◆ Then I said, See, I have come to do your pleasure, O God (as it is said of me in the roll of the book).
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’”
7 τότε εἶπον· ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ, τοῦ ποιῆσαι, ὁ Θεός, τὸ θέλημά σου.
8 After saying, You had no desire for offerings, for burned offerings or offerings for sin (which are made by the law) and you had no pleasure in them,
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law),
8 ἀνώτερον λέγων ὅτι θυσίαν καὶ προσφορὰν καὶ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ περὶ ἁμαρτίας οὐκ ἠθέλησας οὐδὲ εὐδόκησας, αἵτινες κατὰ τὸν νόμον προσφέρονται,
9 Then he said, See, I have come to do your pleasure. He took away the old order, so that he might put the new order in its place.
9 then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second,
9 τότε εἴρηκεν· ἰδοὺ ἥκω τοῦ ποιῆσαι, ὁ Θεός, τὸ θέλημά σου. ἀναιρεῖ τὸ πρῶτον ἵνα τὸ δεύτερον στήσῃ.
10 By that pleasure we have been made holy, by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for ever.
10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
10 ἐν ᾧ θελήματι ἡγιασμένοι ἐσμὲν διὰ τῆς προσφορᾶς τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐφάπαξ.
11 And every priest takes his place at the altar day by day, doing what is necessary, and making again and again the same offerings which are never able to take away sins.
11 Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,
11 Καὶ πᾶς μὲν ἱερεὺς ἕστηκε καθ᾽ ἡμέραν λειτουργῶν καὶ τὰς αὐτὰς πολλάκις προσφέρων θυσίας, αἵτινες οὐδέποτε δύνανται περιελεῖν ἁμαρτίας·
12 But when Jesus had made one offering for sins for ever, he took his place at the right hand of God;
12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God,
12 αὐτὸς δὲ μίαν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν προσενέγκας θυσίαν εἰς τὸ διηνεκὲς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ Θεοῦ,
13 And has been waiting there from that time, till all who are against him are made a foot-rest for his feet.
13 from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.
13 τὸ λοιπὸν ἐκδεχόμενος ἕως τεθῶσιν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτοῦ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ.
14 Because by one offering he has made complete for ever those who are made holy.
14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
14 μιᾷ γὰρ προσφορᾷ τετελείωκεν εἰς τὸ διηνεκὲς τοὺς ἁγιαζομένους.
15 And the Holy Spirit is a witness for us: for after he had said,
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
15 Μαρτυρεῖ δὲ ἡμῖν καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον· μετὰ γὰρ τὸ προειρηκέναι,
16 This is the agreement which I will make with them after those days, says the Lord; I will put my laws in their hearts, writing them in their minds; he said,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,” says the Lord, “I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;” then he says,
16 αὕτη ἡ διαθήκη ἣν διαθήσομαι πρὸς αὐτοὺς μετὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, λέγει Κύριος· διδοὺς νόμους μου ἐπὶ καρδίας αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν διανοιῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιγράψω αὐτούς,
17 And I will keep no more memory of their sins and of their evil-doings.
17 “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.”
17 καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τῶν ἀνομιῶν αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ ἔτι.
18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no more offering for sin.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
18 ὅπου δὲ ἄφεσις τούτων, οὐκέτι προσφορὰ περὶ ἁμαρτίας.
19 So then, my brothers, being able to go into the holy place without fear, because of the blood of Jesus,
19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
19 Ἔχοντες οὖν, ἀδελφοί, παρρησίαν εἰς τὴν εἴσοδον τῶν Ἁγίων ἐν τῷ αἵματι τοῦ Ἰησοῦ,
20 By the new and living way which he made open for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh,
20 ἣν ἐνεκαίνισεν ἡμῖν ὁδὸν πρόσφατον καὶ ζῶσαν διὰ τοῦ καταπετάσματος, τοῦτ᾽ ἔστι τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ,
21 And having a great priest over the house of God,
21 and having a great priest over God’s house,
21 καὶ ἱερέα μέγαν ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ,
22 Let us go in with true hearts, in certain faith, having our hearts made free from the sense of sin and our bodies washed with clean water:
22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water,
22 προσερχώμεθα μετὰ ἀληθινῆς καρδίας ἐν πληροφορίᾳ πίστεως ἐρραντισμένοι τὰς καρδίας ἀπὸ συνειδήσεως πονηρᾶς,
23 Let us keep the witness of our hope strong and unshaking, for he is true who has given his word:
23 let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
23 καὶ λελουμένοι τὸ σῶμα ὕδατι καθαρῷ κατέχωμεν τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ἐλπίδος ἀκλινῆ· πιστὸς γὰρ ὁ ἐπαγγειλάμενος·
24 And let us be moving one another at all times to love and good works;
24 Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
24 καὶ κατανοῶμεν ἀλλήλους εἰς παροξυσμὸν ἀγάπης καὶ καλῶν ἔργων,
25 Not giving up our meetings, as is the way of some, but keeping one another strong in faith; and all the more because you see the day coming near.
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
25 μὴ ἐγκαταλείποντες τὴν ἐπισυναγωγὴν ἑαυτῶν, καθὼς ἔθος τισίν, ἀλλὰ παρακαλοῦντες, καὶ τοσούτῳ μᾶλλον, ὅσῳ βλέπετε ἐγγίζουσαν τὴν ἡμέραν.
26 For if we do evil on purpose after we have had the knowledge of what is true, there is no more offering for sins,
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,
26 Ἑκουσίως γὰρ ἁμαρτανόντων ἡμῶν μετὰ τὸ λαβεῖν τὴν ἐπίγνωσιν τῆς ἀληθείας, οὐκέτι περὶ ἁμαρτιῶν ἀπολείπεται θυσία,
27 But only a great fear of being judged, and of the fire of wrath which will be the destruction of the haters of God.
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.
27 φοβερὰ δέ τις ἐκδοχὴ κρίσεως καὶ πυρὸς ζῆλος ἐσθίειν μέλλοντος τοὺς ὑπεναντίους.
28 A man who has gone against the law of Moses is put to death without pity on the word of two or three witnesses:
28 A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.
28 ἀθετήσας τις νόμον Μωϋσέως χωρὶς οἰκτιρμῶν ἐπὶ δυσὶν ἢ τρισὶ μάρτυσιν ἀποθνήσκει·
29 But will not the man by whom the Son of God has been crushed under foot, and the blood of the agreement with which he was washed clean has been taken as an unholy thing, and who has had no respect for the Spirit of grace, be judged bad enough for a very much worse punishment?
29 How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
29 πόσῳ δοκεῖτε χείρονος ἀξιωθήσεται τιμωρίας ὁ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ καταπατήσας καὶ τὸ αἷμα τῆς διαθήκης κοινὸν ἡγησάμενος, ἐν ᾧ ἡγιάσθη, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα τῆς χάριτος ἐνυβρίσας;
30 For we have had experience of him who says, Punishment is mine, I will give reward. And again, The Lord will be judge of his people.
30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
30 οἴδαμεν γὰρ τὸν εἰπόντα· ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις, ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω[, λέγει Κύριος]· καὶ πάλιν· Κύριος κρινεῖ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.
31 We may well go in fear of falling into the hands of the living God.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
31 φοβερὸν τὸ ἐμπεσεῖν εἰς χεῖρας Θεοῦ ζῶντος.
32 But give thought to the days after you had seen the light, when you went through a great war of troubles;
32 But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:
32 Ἀναμιμνήσκεσθε δὲ τὰς πρότερον ἡμέρας, ἐν αἷς φωτισθέντες πολλὴν ἄθλησιν ὑπεμείνατε παθημάτων,
33 In part, in being attacked by angry words and cruel acts, before the eyes of everyone, and in part, in being united with those who were attacked in this way.
33 partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions, and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.
33 τοῦτο μὲν ὀνειδισμοῖς τε καὶ θλίψεσι θεατριζόμενοι, τοῦτο δὲ κοινωνοὶ τῶν οὕτως ἀναστρεφομένων γενηθέντες.
34 For you had pity on those who were in prison, and had joy in the loss of your property, in the knowledge that you still had a better property and one which you would keep for ever.
34 For you both had compassion on me in my chains and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.
34 καὶ γὰρ τοῖς δεσμοῖς μου συνεπαθήσατε καὶ τὴν ἁρπαγὴν τῶν ὑπαρχόντων ὑμῶν μετὰ χαρᾶς προσεδέξασθε, γινώσκοντες ἔχειν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς κρείττονα ὕπαρξιν ἐν οὐρανοῖς καὶ μένουσαν.
35 So do not give up your hope which will be greatly rewarded.
35 Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.
35 Μὴ ἀποβάλητε οὖν τὴν παρρησίαν ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἔχει μισθαποδοσίαν μεγάλην.
36 For, having done what was right in God's eyes, you have need of waiting before his word has effect for you.
36 For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
36 ὑπομονῆς γὰρ ἔχετε χρείαν, ἵνα τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ ποιήσαντες κομίσησθε τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν.
37 In a very little time he who is coming will come; he will not be slow.
37 “In a very little while, he who comes will come and will not wait.
37 ἔτι γὰρ μικρὸν ὅσον ὅσον, ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἥξει καὶ οὐ χρονιεῖ.
38 But the upright man will be living by his faith; and if he goes back, my soul will have no pleasure in him.
38 But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
38 ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται· καὶ ἐὰν ὑποστείληται, οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ.
39 But we are not of those who go back to destruction; but of those who have faith even to the salvation of the soul.
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
39 ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑποστολῆς εἰς ἀπώλειαν, ἀλλὰ πίστεως εἰς περιποίησιν ψυχῆς.
Cross references (39)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Hebrews 8:5; Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 9:23; Hebrews 7:18–19
- 2 Isaiah 43:25; Micah 7:19; Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 44:22; Hebrews 9:13–14
- 3 Hebrews 9:7; Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 23:27–28; Leviticus 16:34; Leviticus 16:6–11
- 4 Hebrews 10:11; Isaiah 1:11–15; Micah 6:6–8; Romans 11:27; 1 John 3:5
- 5 Psalm 40:6–8; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 7:14; 1 Peter 2:24; Matthew 1:20–23
- 6 Hebrews 10:4; Matthew 3:17; Malachi 1:10; Leviticus 1:1–6; Psalm 147:11
- 7 Psalm 40:7–8; John 4:34; John 6:38; John 5:30; Hebrews 10:9–10
- 8 Hebrews 10:5; Mark 12:33
- 9 Hebrews 7:18–19; Hebrews 12:27–28; Hebrews 10:7; Hebrews 9:11–14; Hebrews 8:7–13
- 10 Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 7:27; John 17:19
- 11 Hebrews 10:4; Hebrews 5:1; Numbers 28:3; Psalm 50:8–13; Hebrews 7:27
- 12 Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 3:1; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 8:1; Acts 2:33–34
- 13 Hebrews 1:13; Psalm 110:1; Luke 20:43; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Mark 12:36
- 14 Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:1; Hebrews 2:11; Romans 15:16
- 15 Hebrews 3:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 3:6; 2 Peter 1:21; John 15:26
- 16 Jeremiah 31:33–34; Hebrews 8:8–12; Romans 11:27
- 17 Hebrews 8:12; Jeremiah 31:34
- 18 Hebrews 10:2; Hebrews 10:14
- 19 Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 3:12; Romans 5:2
- 20 John 14:6; John 10:9; Hebrews 9:3; Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 6:19
- 21 Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 4:14–16; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 3:1
- 22 Ezekiel 36:25; John 3:5; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 6:11
- 23 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2
- 24 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 John 3:18; Hebrews 13:1; Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:16
- 25 Acts 2:42; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:24
- 26 2 Peter 2:20–22; Hebrews 6:4–6; John 9:41; Luke 12:47; Matthew 12:43–45
- 27 Isaiah 26:11; Zephaniah 1:18; Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 9:27; Hebrews 12:25
- 28 Hebrews 2:2; Deuteronomy 19:15; Deuteronomy 17:2–13; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Deuteronomy 19:13
- 29 Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 6:6; Isaiah 63:10; 1 Corinthians 11:27; Luke 12:10
- 30 Deuteronomy 32:35–36; Romans 12:19; Nahum 1:2; Psalm 50:4; 2 Corinthians 5:10
- 31 Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5; Hebrews 12:29; Isaiah 33:14; Psalm 76:7
- 32 Hebrews 6:4; Galatians 3:3–4; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; 2 Timothy 2:3–13; Hebrews 12:4
- 33 1 Corinthians 4:9; Philippians 4:14; Isaiah 51:7; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Philippians 1:7
- 34 1 Peter 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:16; Matthew 6:19–20; James 1:2; Colossians 1:5
- 35 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:8–10; Hebrews 3:6; Luke 14:14; Hebrews 11:26
- 36 Hebrews 12:1; Psalm 37:7; James 5:7–11; 1 Corinthians 13:7; Luke 21:19
- 37 James 5:7–9; Habakkuk 2:3–4; Luke 18:8; Isaiah 26:20; Isaiah 60:22
- 38 Galatians 3:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Psalm 85:8; Hebrews 6:4–6
- 39 1 John 5:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Mark 16:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:12–14; 1 Samuel 15:11
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
Why does my Bible say something different?
- Psalm 40:6 and Hebrews 10:5: “ears” or “a body”?
In the Hebrew text of Psalm 40 God has “dug” or “opened” the psalmist’s ears. In the Greek Septuagint (Psalm 39:7) God has “prepared a body” for him, and the Epistle to the Hebrews quotes that Greek wording of Christ coming into the world. The Orthodox Church reads the Greek. Scholars still debate how the Greek reading arose.
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
In what has gone before he had shown that the sacrifices were unavailing for perfect purification, and were a type, and greatly defective. Since then there was this objection to his argument, If they are types, how is it that, after the truth is come, they have not ceased, nor given place, but are still performed?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
… incur danger, or are deprived of their goods, but of these also, thus saying, "Call to remembrance the former days, in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly whilst ye were made a gazing stock by reproaches, and afflictions." On this account then Christ hath appointed the reward also to be great.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… one incorporeal for the incorporeal part, and the other bodily for the body: the water cleanses the body, and the Spirit seals the soul; that we may draw near unto God, having our heart sprinkled by the Spirit, and our body washed with pure water.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
You hope to "reign with" Christ; but you "do despite unto the Spirit of grace" by assigning Him the rank of a slave and a subordinate.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)
Hear him saying, "Yet a little while, and He that cometh will come, and will not tarry. The Lord is at hand, be careful for nothing;" and again, "The fashion of this world passeth away." For neither doth he command only, but also soothes, as a physician should.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)