17. You know how he later wanted it back. But there was nothing he could do to change things, even though he begged his father and cried.
18. You have not come to a place like Mount Sinai that can be seen and touched. There is no flaming fire or dark cloud or storm
19. or trumpet sound. The people of Israel heard a voice speak. But they begged it to stop,
20. because they could not obey its commands. They were even told to kill any animal that touched the mountain.
21. The sight was so frightening that Moses said he shook with fear.
22. You have now come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is the city of the living God, where thousands and thousands of angels have come to celebrate.
23. Here you will find all God's dearest children, whose names are written in heaven. And you will find God himself, who judges everyone. Here also are the spirits of those good people who have been made perfect.
24. And Jesus is here! He is the one who makes God's new agreement with us, and his sprinkled blood says much better things than the blood of Abel.
25. Make sure that you obey the one who speaks to you. The people did not escape, when they refused to obey the one who spoke to them at Mount Sinai. Do you think you can possibly escape, if you refuse to obey the one who speaks to you from heaven?
26. When God spoke the first time, his voice shook only the earth. This time he has promised to shake the earth once again, and heaven too.
27. The words “once again” mean that these created things will some day be shaken and removed. Then what cannot be shaken will last.
28. We should be grateful that we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshipping him and by showing him great honour and respect.
29. Our God is like a destructive fire!