1Therefore we must pay more careful attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2For if the message spoken by angels was valid, and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him, 4while God also bore witness, by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. 5For it is not to angels that he subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified, »What is man that you are mindful of him,or the son of man that you care for him? 7You made him for a little while lower than the angels;you crowned him with glory and honor, 8and put everything in subjection under his feet.« Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subject to him. 9But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11For both he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12saying, »I will declare your name to my brethren,in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.« 13And again, »I will put my trust in him.« And again, »Here am I, and the children God has given me.« 14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned, but with the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.