3. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
4. For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,
5. who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—
6. and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
7. When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.
8. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.
9. Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.
10. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
11. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
12. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
13. For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: