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God Has Spoken by His Son

God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world. He is the brightness of His glory, the express image of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He was made so much better than the angels as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did He at any time say:

“You are My Son;
    today I have become Your Father”[a]?

Or again,

“I will be a Father to Him,
    and He shall be a Son to Me”[b]?

And again, when He brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”[c]

Of the angels He says:

“He makes His angels spirits,
    and His servants a flame of fire.”[d]

But to the Son He says:

“Your throne, O God, lasts forever and ever;
    a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.[e]
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
    with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”[f]

10 And,

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
    and the heavens are the works of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain;
    and they all will wear out like a garment;
12 as a cloak You will fold them up,
    and they will be changed.
But You are the same,
    and Your years will not end.”[g]

13 But to which of the angels did He at any time say:

“Sit at My right hand,
    until I make Your enemies
    Your footstool”[h]?

14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to minister to those who will inherit salvation?

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