| Chapter 1 |
1 |
God, who in ancient days spoke to our forefathers in many distinct messages and by various methods through the Prophets,
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2 |
has at the end of these days spoken to us through a Son, who is the pre-destined Lord of the universe, and through whom He made the Ages.
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3 |
He brightly reflects God's glory and is the exact representation of His being, and upholds the universe by His all-powerful word. After securing man's purification from sin He took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
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4 |
having become as far superior to the angels as the Name He possesses by inheritance is more excellent than theirs.
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5 |
For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'My Son art Thou: I have this day become Thy Father;' and again, 'I will be a Father to Him, and He shall be My Son'?
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6 |
But speaking of the time when He once more brings His Firstborn into the world, He says, 'And let all God's angels worship Him.'
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7 |
Moreover of the angels He says, 'He changes His angels into winds, and His ministering servants into a flame of fire.'
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8 |
But of His Son, He says, 'Thy throne, O God, is for ever and for ever, and the sceptre of Thy Kingdom is a sceptre of absolute justice.
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9 |
Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee with the oil of gladness beyond Thy companions.'
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10 |
It is also of His Son that God says, 'Thou, O Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
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11 |
The heavens will perish, but Thou remainest; and they will all grow old like a garment,
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12 |
and, as though they were a mantle Thou wilt roll them up; yes, like a garment, and they will undergo change. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will never come to an end.'
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13 |
To which of the angels has He ever said, 'Sit at My right hand till I make Thy foes a footstool for Thy feet'?
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14 |
Are not all angels spirits that serve Him--whom He sends out to render service for the benefit of those who, before long, will inherit salvation?
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