1 T herefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

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 steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just 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 at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

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 both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? The Son Made Lower than Angels

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 He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.

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

6 B ut one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of 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 Y ou have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your 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 Y ou have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under 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 see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Bringing Many Sons to Glory

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 was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain 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 who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason 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 Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

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: “Here am I and the children whom God has 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 I nasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who 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 release those 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 indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid 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 T herefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be 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 has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who 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.