Hebrews

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

1Long ago, God spoke to our people who lived before us. He spoke through prophets, people who told others what God said. He spoke many times and in many different ways.

2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

2But in these last days, God has spoken to us through his Son. God chose his Son to own everything. God also made the whole universe through him.

3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

3The Son shines with God's own brightness. He shows exactly what God is like. He holds everything up by his powerful word. He made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the great King above.

NoteSitting at a king's right side was the highest place of honor. "The Majesty on high" is a way of saying God without using his name.

4Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

4So the Son became far greater than the angels. The name God gave him is far greater than their names.

5For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

5God never said to any angel, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father." He never said about an angel, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son."

6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

6And when God brings his firstborn Son into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

7About the angels, God says, "He makes his angels winds. He makes his servants flames of fire."

NoteThe KJV says God makes his angels "spirits." The word in the old language also means "winds," which is how newer Bibles say it.

8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

8But about the Son, God says, "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever. You rule your kingdom in a fair and right way."

9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

9"You have loved what is right. You have hated what is wrong. So God, your God, poured the oil of joy on you. People poured oil on someone's head to show that person was chosen. God gave you more joy than the people with you."

10And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

10God also says, "Lord, at the very beginning you made the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands."

11They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

11"They will come to an end, but you will stay. They will all wear out, the way old clothes wear out."

12And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

12"You will roll them up like a coat. They will be changed, the way old clothes are changed. But you always stay the same. Your years will never end."

13But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

13God never said to any angel, "Sit at my right side. Sit there until I put your enemies under your feet."

NoteA footstool is a low stool a king rests his feet on. Putting enemies under your feet meant they were fully beaten.

14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

14All the angels are spirits who serve. God sends them out to help the people he will save.