Hebrews 2 - Easy To Read Version

¹ So we must be more careful to follow the things that we were taught. We must be careful so that we will not be pulled away \{from the true way\}.

² The teaching (the law) that God spoke through angels was shown to be true. And every time the \{Jewish\} people did something against that teaching they were punished for what they did. They were punished when they did not obey that teaching.

³ The salvation \{that was given to us\} is very great. So surely we also will be punished if we live like this salvation is not important. It was the Lord (Jesus) who first told people about this salvation. And the people who heard him proved to us that this salvation is true.

⁴ God also proved it by using wonders, great signs, and many kinds of miracles. {\cf2\super [7]} And he proved it by giving people gifts through the Holy Spirit. {\cf2\super [8]} He gave those gifts the way he wanted.

⁵ God did not choose angels to be the rulers over the new world that was coming. That future world is the world we have been talking about.

⁶ It is written some place \{in the Scriptures {\cf2\super [9]} \},

⁷ For a short time you made him lower\par than the angels.\par You gave him glory and honor\par to be his crown.\par

⁸ You put everything under his control. {\cf2\super [11]} ”\par \i (Psalm 8:4-6)\i0 \par

⁹ For a short time Jesus was made lower than the angels, but now we see him wearing a crown of glory and honor because he suffered and died. Because of God’s grace (kindness) Jesus died for every person.

¹⁰ God is the One who made all things. And all things are for his glory. God wanted to have many people to be his children and share his glory. So God did what he needed to do. He made perfect the One (Jesus) who leads those people to salvation. God made Jesus \{a\} perfect \{Savior\} through Jesus’ suffering.

¹¹ The One (Jesus) who makes people holy {\cf2\super [12]} and those people who are made holy are from the same family. So he (Jesus) is not ashamed to call those people his brothers and sisters.

¹² Jesus says,

¹³ He also says,

¹⁴ Those children are people with physical bodies. So Jesus himself became like those people and had the same experiences people have. Jesus did this so that, by dying, he could destroy the one who has the power of death. That one is the devil.

¹⁵ Jesus became like those people and died so that he could free them. They were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.

¹⁶ Clearly, it is not angels that Jesus helps. Jesus helps the people who are from Abraham. {\cf2\super [13]}

¹⁷ For this reason Jesus had to be made like us his brothers and sisters in every way. Jesus became like people so that he could be their merciful and faithful high priest {\cf2\super [14]} in service to God. Then Jesus could bring forgiveness for the people’s sins.

¹⁸ And now Jesus can help those people who are tempted. Jesus is able to help because he himself suffered and was tempted.