Hebrews  ◦   Chapter 1

1 God has been speaking to us throughout all human history. In the past, he worked through his inspired spokespersons (and in other ways) to send his message of truth, love and hope.2 But in these more recent times, God's very thoughts have been made audible and visible to us in the person of his Son, who is the rightful heir of all things, and through whom the entire universe was created.3 Jesus Christ is the radiant glory of God's methods and principles lived out in human flesh. He is the exact manifestation of God's character–the complete revelation of his being — sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he provided the Remedy necessary to heal mankind from the infection of sin and selfishness, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven,4 thus his superiority to the angels became known throughout the entire universe, just as the name he inherited is superior to theirs.

5 For to which angel did God ever say, "You are my Son; today my fatherhood to you has become known"? Or again, "I will be Father to him, and he will be Son to me"?

6 And again, when God brought his Son into the world, he said, "Let all God's angelic host realize the truth of who he is, and worship him."

7 In speaking of angels, he says, "He makes his angels intelligent beings; his servants–fiery channels of heavenly light."

8 But about his Son, he says, "The foundation of your government–the throne of your authority–O God, will last forever, and righteousness will be the governing principle.

9 You have loved (and revealed) the methods of righteousness–the methods of love, truth and freedom–and hated the way of wickedness with its principles of selfishness, deceit, and coercion; therefore God, your Father, has set you above all beings by anointing you with the oil of joy."

10 God also says, "In the beginning, O Son, you created the earth; the sun, moon and planets of this solar system are a work of your hands.

11 They will be destroyed, but you will live forever; they will all wear out like old clothes.

12 You will roll them up like a coat; like old clothes, they will be changed for new. But you never change: you remain the same forever, and your years will never end."

13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

14 Are not all angels intelligent beings sent to minister the blessings of God to those who are being healed from the infection of fear and selfishness?