The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 795

5:12. For whereas for the time you ought to be masters, you have need to be taught again what are the first elements of the words of G.o.d: and you are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat.

5:13. For every one that is a partaker of milk is unskilful in the word of justice: for he is a little child.

5:14. But strong meat is for the perfect: for them who by custom have their senses exercised to the discerning of good and evil.

Hebrews Chapter 6

He warns them of the danger of falling by apostasy and exhorts them to patience and perseverance.

6:1. Wherefore, leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect: not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works and of faith towards G.o.d,

The word of the beginning... The first rudiments of the Christian doctrine.

6:2. Of the doctrine of baptisms and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

6:3. And this will we do, if G.o.d permit.

6:4. For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

It is impossible, etc... The meaning is, that it is impossible for such as have fallen after baptism, to be again baptized; and very hard for such as have apostatized from the faith, after having received many graces, to return again to the happy state from which they fell.

6:5. Have moreover tasted the good word of G.o.d and the powers of the world to come,

6:6. And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying again to themselves the Son of G.o.d and making him a mockery.

6:7. For the earth, that drinketh in the rain which cometh often upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled, receiveth blessing from G.o.d.

6:8. But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers is reprobate and very near unto a curse: whose end is to be burnt.

6:9. But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we speak thus.

6:10. For G.o.d is not unjust, that he should forget your work and the love which you have shewn in his name, you who have ministered and do minister to the saints.

6:11. And we desire that every one of you shew forth the same carefulness to the accomplis.h.i.+ng of hope unto the end:

6:12. That you become not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.

6:13. For G.o.d making promises to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom he might swear, swore by himself,

6:14. Saying: Unless blessing I shall bless thee and multiplying I shall multiply thee.

6:15. And so patiently enduring he obtained the promise.

6:16. For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy.

6:17. Wherein G.o.d, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed an oath:

6:18. That by two immutable things in which it is impossible for G.o.d to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, we who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us.

6:19. Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil:

6:20. Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

Hebrews Chapter 7

The priesthood of Christ according to the order of Melchisedech excels the Levitical priesthood and puts an end both to that and to the law.

7:1. For this Melchisedech was king of Salem, priest of the most high G.o.d, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him:

7:2. To whom also Abraham divided the t.i.thes of all: who first indeed by interpretation is king of justice: and then also king of Salem, that is, king of peace:

7:3. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened unto the Son of G.o.d, continueth a priest for ever.

Without father, etc... Not that he had no father, etc., but that neither his father, nor his pedigree, nor his birth, nor his death, are set down in scripture.

7:4. Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave t.i.thes out of the princ.i.p.al things.

7:5. And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to take t.i.thes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham.

7:6. But he, whose pedigree is not numbered among them, received t.i.thes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises.

7:7. And without all contradiction, that which is less is blessed by the better.

7:8. And here indeed, men that die receive t.i.thes: but there, he hath witness that he liveth.

7:9. And (as it may be said) even Levi who received t.i.thes paid t.i.thes in Abraham:

7:10. For he was yet in the loins of his father when Melchisedech met him.

7:11. If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchisedech: and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

7:12. For the priesthood being translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law,

7:13. For he of whom these things are spoken is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar.

7:14. For it is evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

7:15. And it is yet far more evident: if according to the similitude of Melchisedech there ariseth another priest,

7:16. Who is made, not according to the law of a law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an indissoluble life.

7:17. For he testifieth: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

7:18. There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof:

7:19. For the law brought nothing to perfection: but a bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh to G.o.d.

7:20. And inasmuch as it is not without an oath (for the others indeed were made priests without an oath: