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Long ago in many ways and at many times God's prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. (A) But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son. (B) God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together.

After the Son had washed away our sins, he sat down at the right side[a] of the glorious God in heaven. He had become much greater than the angels, and the name he was given is far greater than any of theirs.

God's Son Is Greater than Angels

(C) God has never said
    to any of the angels,
“You are my Son, because today
    I have become your Father!”
Neither has God said
    to any of them,
“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son!”

(D) When God brings his first-born Son[b] into the world, he commands all of his angels to worship him.

(E) And when God speaks about the angels, he says,

“I change my angels into wind
and my servants
    into flaming fire.”

(F) But God says about his Son,

“You are God,
and you will rule
    as King forever!
Your[c] royal power
    brings about justice.
You loved justice
    and hated evil,
and so I, your God,
    have chosen you.
I appointed you
and made you happier
    than any of your friends.”

10 (G) The Scriptures also say,

“In the beginning, Lord,
    you were the one
who laid the foundation
of the earth
    and created the heavens.
11 They will all disappear
and wear out like clothes,
    but you will last forever.
12 You will roll them up
    like a robe
and change them
    like a garment.
But you are always the same,
    and you will live forever.”

13 (H) God never said to any
    of the angels,
“Sit at my right side
until I make your enemies
    into a footstool for you!”

14 (I) Angels are merely spirits sent to serve people who are going to be saved.

Footnotes

  1. 1.3 right side: The place of honor and power.
  2. 1.6 first-born Son: The first son born into a family had certain privileges that the other children did not have. In 12.23 (see note) “first-born” refers to God's special people.
  3. 1.8 Your: Some manuscripts have “His.”

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1