1 T herefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them.

That is why we must listen all the more to the truths we have been told. If we do not, we may slip away from them.

2 F or if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;

These truths given by the angels proved to be true. People were punished when they did not obey them.

3 h ow shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;

God was so good to make a way for us to be saved from the punishment of sin. What makes us think we will not go to hell if we do not take the way to heaven that He has made for us? The Lord was the first to tell us of this. Then those who heard Him told it later.

4 G od also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.

God proved what they said was true by showing us special things to see and by doing powerful works. He gave the gifts of the Holy Spirit as He wanted to. Jesus, the Way to Heaven

5 F or not unto angels did he subject the world to come, whereof we speak.

God did not make angels to be the leaders of that world to come which we have been speaking about.

6 B ut one hath somewhere testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Instead, the Holy Writings say, “What is man that You think of him and the son of man that You should remember him?”

7 T hou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:

“You made him so he took a place that was not as important as the angels for a little while. You gave him the crown of honor and shining-greatness. You made him the head over everything You have made.

8 T hou didst put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he subjected all things unto him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we see not yet all things subjected to him.

You have put everything under his feet.” There is nothing that does not obey him, but we do not see all things obey him yet.

9 B ut we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.

But we do see Jesus. For a little while He took a place that was not as important as the angels. But God had loving-favor for everyone. He had Jesus suffer death on a cross for all of us. Then, because of Christ’s death on a cross, God gave Him the crown of honor and shining-greatness.

10 F or it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

God made all things. He made all things for Himself. It was right for God to make Jesus a perfect Leader by having Him suffer for men’s sins. In this way, He is bringing many men to share His shining-greatness.

11 F or both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Jesus makes men holy. He takes away their sins. Both Jesus and the ones being made holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers.

12 s aying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise.

Jesus is saying to His Father, “I will tell My brothers Your name. I will sing songs of thanks for You among the people.”

13 A nd again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me.

And again He says, “I will put My trust in God.” At another time He said, “Here I am with the children God gave Me.”

14 S ince then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

It is true that we share the same Father with Jesus. And it is true that we share the same kind of flesh and blood because Jesus became a man like us. He died as we must die. Through His death He destroyed the power of the devil who has the power of death.

15 a nd might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Jesus did this to make us free from the fear of death. We no longer need to be chained to this fear.

16 F or verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham.

Jesus did not come to help angels. Instead, He came to help men who are of Abraham’s family.

17 W herefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

So Jesus had to become like His brothers in every way. He had to be one of us to be our Religious Leader to go between God and us. He had loving-pity on us and He was faithful. He gave Himself as a gift to die on a cross for our sins so that God would not hold these sins against us any longer.

18 F or in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

Because Jesus was tempted as we are and suffered as we do, He understands us and He is able to help us when we are tempted.