Hebrews 2 - International Children’s Bible (ICB)

Our Salvation Is Great

2 So we must be more careful to follow what we were taught. Then we will not be pulled away from the truth. 2 The teaching that God spoke through angels was shown to be true. And anyone who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment he earned. 3 The salvation that was given to us is very great. So surely we also will be punished if we live as if this salvation were not important. It was the Lord himself who first told about this salvation. And those who heard him proved to us that this salvation is true. 4 God also proved it by using wonders, great signs, and many kinds of miracles. And he proved it by giving people gifts through the Holy Spirit, just as he wanted.

Christ Became Like Men

5 God did not choose angels to be the rulers of the new world that was coming. It is that future world we have been talking about. 6 It is written somewhere in the Scriptures,

“Why is man important to you?
Why do you take care of the son of man?[a]
7 For a short time you made him lower than the angels.
But you crowned him with glory and honor.
8 You put all things under his control.” Psalm 8:4-6

If God put everything under his control, there was nothing left that he did not rule. But we do not yet see him ruling over everything. 9 But we see Jesus! For a short time he was made lower than the angels. But now we see him wearing a crown of glory and honor because he suffered and died. Because of God’s grace, he died for everyone.

10 God is the One who made all things. And all things are for his glory. God wanted to have many sons share his glory. So God made perfect the One who leads people to salvation. He made Jesus a perfect Savior through Jesus’ suffering.

11 Jesus, who makes people holy, and those who are made holy are from the same family. So he is not ashamed to call them his brothers. 12 He says,

“Then, I will tell my fellow Israelites about you.
I will praise you when your people meet to worship you.” Psalm 22:22

13 He also says,

“I will trust in God.” Isaiah 8:17

And he also says,

“I am here. And with me are the children that God has given me.” Isaiah 8:18

14 These children are people with physical bodies. So Jesus himself became like them and had the same experiences they have. He did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death. That one is the devil. 15 Jesus became like men and died so that he could free them. They were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death. 16 Clearly, it is not angels that Jesus helps, but the people who are from Abraham.[b] 17 For this reason Jesus had to be made like his brothers in every way. He became like men so that he could be their merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. Then Jesus could bring forgiveness for their sins. 18 And now he can help those who are tempted. He is able to help because he himself suffered and was tempted.

Footnotes

  1. 2:6 son of man This can mean any, but the name “Son of Man” is often used to mean Jesus. When Jesus became a man, he showed what God planned for all people to be.
  2. 2:16 Abraham Most respected ancestor of the Jews. Every Jew hoped to see Abraham.

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Hebrews 2 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

2 Because of this it behoveth [us] more abundantly to take heed to the things heard, lest we may glide aside, 2 for if the word being spoken through messengers did become stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience did receive a just recompense, 3 how shall we escape, having neglected so grea...
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Hebrews 2 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

2 Therefore more plenteously it behooveth us to keep those things [Therefore it behooveth us to keep more plenteously those things], that we have heard, lest peradventure we float away. 2 For if that word that was said by angels, was made firm, and each breaking of the law and unobedience [and each...
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Hebrews 2 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

2 That is why we must listen very carefully to the things we have heard. We must never forget them. 2 What the angels said proved to be true. Every one who broke the law, and who did not obey it, was punished as he should be punished. 3 If that is so, then we will not get away without being punished...
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Hebrews 2 - World English Bible (WEB)

2 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the ...
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Hebrews 2 - The Voice (VOICE)

2 That is why we ought to pay even closer attention to the voice that has been speaking so that we will never drift away from it. 2 For if the words of instruction and inspiration brought by heaven’s messengers were valid, and if we live in a universe where sin and disobedience receive their just r...
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Hebrews 2 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Warning Not to Drift Away2 For this reason it is necessary for us to pay especially close attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved to be firm, and every violation and disobedience received a just payback, 3 how shall we escape if...
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Hebrews 2 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Warning to Pay Attention2 Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For if the message declared by angels[a] was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvati...
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Hebrews 2 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Warning to Pay Attention2 Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?...
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Hebrews 2 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

2 Therefore we ought to diligently pay attention to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation (which a...
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Hebrews 2 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Don’t Neglect God’s Salvation!2 So, then, we must pay all the closer attention to what we heard, in case we drift away from it. 2 You see, if the word which was spoken through angels was reliable, with appropriate and just punishment every time anyone broke it or disobeyed it, 3 how shall we escap...
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Hebrews 2 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Warning to Pay Attention2 Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how can we escape if we neglect so great a salva...
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Hebrews 2 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Warning to Pay Attention2 Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message declared through angels proved valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty,(A)3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation...
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Hebrews 2 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

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Hebrews 2 - New Living Translation (NLT)

A Warning against Drifting Away2 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can...
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Hebrews 2 - New Life Version (NLV)

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Hebrews 2 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Do Not Neglect Salvation2 Therefore we must give [a]the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word (A)spoken through angels proved steadfast, and (B)every transgression and disobedience received a just [b]reward, 3 (C)how shall we escape if we neglect so g...
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