11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.
12Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!
13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.
14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3And this we will do, if God permits.
4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—
6and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.
7For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.
8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
9Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.
10For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
12Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
