Chapter 1

¹It was little by little and in different ways that God spoke in old times to our forefathers through the prophets, ²but in these latter days he has spoken to us in a Son, whom he had destined to possess everything, and through whom he had made the world. ³He is the reflection of God’s glory, and the representation of his being, and bears up the universe by his mighty word. He has effected man’s purification from sin, and has taken his seat on high at the right hand of God’s Majesty, ⁴showing himself to be as much greater than the angels as his title is superior to theirs. ⁵For to what angel did God ever say,

“You are my Son! I have today become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will become his Father, and he shall become my Son”? ⁶But of the time when he is to bring his firstborn Son back to the world he says,

“And let all God’s angels bow before him.”

⁷In speaking of the angels he says,

“He who changes his angels into winds,

And his attendants into blazing fire!”

⁸But of the Son he says,

“God is your throne forever and ever!

And a righteous scepter is the scepter of his kingdom!

⁹You have loved right and hated wrong!

That is why God, your God, has anointed you with exhilarating oil beyond all your comrades.”

¹⁰And

“You, Lord, in the beginning founded the earth,

And the sky is the work of your hands!

¹¹They will perish, but you continue!

And they will all wear out like a coat,

¹²And you will fold them up like a mantle,

And change them as one changes his coat.

But you are always the same, and your years will have no end!”

¹³But to what angel did he ever say,

‘Sit at my right hand,

Until I make your enemies a footstool for you”?

¹⁴Are not the angels all spirits in service, whom he sends on his errands for the good of those who are destined to possess salvation?