Letters to the Churches

On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.

But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”?

And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”

Now about the angels He says: “He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.”

But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”

And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”

Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?

Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,

how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.

But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor

and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

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.

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.