Wednesday, December 16

11of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3And this we will do if God permits.

4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

7For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;

8but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

30Peter answered and said to Him, 'You are the Christ.' Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

31And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

33But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'

34When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, 'Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.