Letters to the Churches

to the sound of a shofar, and to a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further message be given to them —

for they couldn’t bear what was being commanded them, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it is to be stoned to death”;

and so terrifying was the sight that Moshe said, “I am quaking with dread.”

On the contrary, you have come to Mount Tziyon, that is, the city of the living God, heavenly Yerushalayim; to myriads of angels in festive assembly;

to a community of the firstborn whose names have been recorded in heaven; to a Judge who is God of everyone; to spirits of righteous people who have been brought to the goal;

to the mediator of a new covenant, Yeshua; and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better things than that of Hevel.

See that you don’t reject the One speaking! For if those did not escape who rejected him when he gave divine warning on earth, think how much less we will escape if we turn away from him when he warns from heaven.

Even then, his voice shook the earth; but now, he has made this promise: “One more time I will shake not only the earth, but heaven too!”

And this phrase, “one more time,” makes clear that the things shaken are removed, since they are created things, so that the things not shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we have received an unshakeable Kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may offer service that will please God, with reverence and fear.

For indeed, “Our God is a consuming fire!”

Let brotherly friendship continue;

but don’t forget to be friendly to outsiders; for in so doing, some people, without knowing it, have entertained angels.

Remember those in prison and being mistreated, as if you were in prison with them and undergoing their torture yourselves.

Marriage is honorable in every respect; and, in particular, sex within marriage is pure. But God will indeed punish fornicators and adulterers.

Keep your lives free from the love of money; and be satisfied with what you have; for God himself has said, “I will never fail you or abandon you.”

Therefore, we say with confidence, “Adonai is my helper; I will not be afraid — what can a human being do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke God’s message to you. Reflect on the results of their way of life, and imitate their trust —

Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Do not be carried away by various strange teachings; for what is good is for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods. People who have made these the focus of their lives have not benefited thereby.

We have an altar from which those who serve in the Tent are not permitted to eat.

For the cohen hagadol brings the blood of animals into the Holiest Place as a sin offering, but their bodies are burned outside the camp.

So too Yeshua suffered death outside the gate, in order to make the people holy through his own blood.

Therefore, let us go out to him who is outside the camp and share his disgrace.

For we have no permanent city here; on the contrary, we seek the one to come.