(Hebrews) To the People of the Tribes of Wrestles with Creator 1

THE GREAT SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH HIS SON

1Long ago, in many ways and at many times, the Great Spirit spoke to our tribal ancestors through the prophets.

2But now, in these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son—the one he has chosen to give all things to. It is through his Son that the Great Spirit made the world that is, the world that was, and the one that is coming.

3This Son is the light coming from the face of the Great Spirit in all its bright-shining beauty. What is true about the Great Spirit is true about the Son, for he represents Creator in every way. It is his powerful word that holds the stars above, the earth below, and all things seen and unseen in their place. He came into this world to purify the bad hearts and broken ways of all people. When he was finished, he returned to the One Above Us All to sit in the place of greatest honor at the right hand of the Great Mystery.

GREATER THAN SPIRIT-MESSENGERS

4The Son was lifted up to a higher place than all the spirit-messengers, for the name that he was given has much more beauty and honor than theirs.

5For did the Great Spirit ever say to a spirit-messenger, “You are my Son. Today I make it known that I am your Father”?[#1:5 Psalm 2:7]

Or again, “I will be a Father to him, and he will be a Son to me”?

6And again, when the Great Spirit was about to bring his honored Son into the world above , he said, “Let all of Creator’s spirit-messengers honor and serve him.”[#1:6 Lit. firstborn Son . In the Jewish culture of that day, the firstborn son was honored as the head of the family.]

7When speaking of his spirit-messengers the Sacred Teachings tell us, “He makes the winds his spirit-messengers, and flames of fire to be his servants.”[#1:7 Psalm 104:4]

8But when speaking of the Son the Sacred Teachings tell us, “O Great Spirit, your seat of honor will last beyond the end of all days. Your chief’s staff is your walking stick on the good road where you make wrongs right again.

9You love right ways and hate wrong ways. So the Great Spirit, your Creator, has chosen you to be a Chief, by pouring the oil of joy on you, honoring you more than all who walk the road with you.”[#1:9 Psalm 45:6-7]

10Our Sacred Teachings have also said of the Son , “O Honored Chief, in the beginning it was you who formed the earth and sky.

11-12They will fade away, but you will live on. They will become old, and you will roll them up like a worn-out blanket. You will take them off like old, ragged clothes. But you remain the same, and your years will never come to an end.”[#1:11-12 Psalm 102:25-27]

13Has the Great Spirit said this to any spirit-messenger, “Sit down beside me at my right hand, my place of greatest honor, until I defeat your enemies and humble them before you”?[#1:13 Psalm 110:1]

14Are not all spirit-messengers spirits who have been sent out with the sacred task of serving those who will share in the blessings of being set free and made whole?

Copyright ©2023 InterVarsity Press
Published by: Intervarsity Press