Hebrews 2

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

1So we must listen very carefully to what we have heard. If we do not, we will slowly drift away from it.

2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

2The message that God gave through angels was firm and could be trusted. Everyone who broke it or would not obey got a fair punishment.

Note"A just recompence of reward" sounds like a prize today, but in 1611 it meant the fair payment a person had coming. Here it means fair punishment.

3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

3So how could we get away if we ignore such a great rescue? The Lord Jesus was the first to tell about this rescue. Then the people who heard him told us, and it proved true.

4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

4God showed it was true too. He gave signs, wonders, and many kinds of miracles. He also gave gifts from the Holy Spirit, handed out just as he wanted.

5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

5God did not put the world that is coming under the rule of angels. That coming world is what we are talking about.

6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

6But somewhere in the Scriptures a writer said this: "God, what is a person, that you keep him in mind? What is a human being, that you care about him?

7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

7You made him a little lower than the angels. You gave him glory and honor, like a crown on his head. You put him in charge of the things you made.

8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

8You put everything under his feet." God put all things under him and left nothing out. But right now we do not yet see everything under him.

9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

9But we do see Jesus. He was made a little lower than the angels for a time. Now he wears glory and honor because he suffered and died. By God's kindness he died for every person.

10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

10Everything that exists comes from God and was made through him. He is bringing many sons into glory. So it was right for him to make Jesus, the leader who saves them, complete through suffering.

Note"Captain" in the KJV means the leader who goes first and opens the way, not an army officer.

11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

11Jesus is the one who makes people holy, and they are made holy by him. They all belong to one family. So he is not ashamed to call them his brothers.

12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

12He says, "I will tell my brothers who you are. I will sing songs of praise to you when your people meet together."

13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

13And again he says, "I will trust him." And again, "Here I am, with the children God gave me."

14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

14The children are made of flesh and blood. So Jesus became a human being just like them. He did this so that by dying he could destroy the one who holds the power of death, the devil.

15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

15Some people were afraid of dying their whole lives. That fear held them like slaves. Jesus sets them free.

16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

16It is not angels that he comes to help. He helps the family of Abraham.

17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

17So he had to be made like his brothers in every way. Then he could be a high priest, the chief priest who serves God for the people. He is kind, and he can be trusted. He came to pay for the sins of the people.

18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

18Jesus himself suffered when he was tempted to do wrong. So he is able to help people who are tempted now.

Note"Succour" is an old word that simply means to help someone in trouble.