ye have not approached the mountain that could only be
groped for, and that burned with fire, and the thick cloud, and the
darkness, and the tempest, (19)and the sound of a trumpet, and the
voice of words, which they who heard, earnestly begged that the
discourse might not be directed to them: (20)for they could not bear
the charge given, and "If but a beast touch the mountain he shall be
stoned, or shot through with a dart[142]:" (21)and so terrible was the
appearance, that Moses said, I am exceedingly afraid and trembling:
(22)but ye are come unto mount Sion, and to the city of the living God,
to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, (23)and to the
general assembly and church of the first-born registered in the
heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men
perfected, (24)and to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to
the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of
Abel.

(25)Beware that ye reject not him that speaketh: for if they escaped
not, who rejected him, that upon earth spake by divine influence, much
more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him who speaks from
heaven: (26)whose voice then shook the earth, but now he hath promised,
saying, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also the
heaven[143]." (27)Now this word yet once more manifests the removal of
the things shaken, as of things formed, that the things not shaken may
endure.

(28)Wherefore receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, may we hold
fast the grace, by which we can offer to God acceptably divine service,
with reverence and pious awe: (29)for our God is a devouring fire.

CHAP. XIII.

LET brotherly love continue. (2)Forget not to exercise hospitality: for
thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

(3)Remember those who are in chains, as in chains with them; and those
who are suffering afflictions, as being yourselves also in the body.

(4)Marriage is honourable for all persons, and the marriage bed
undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

(5)Let the tenor of your life be divested of the love of money; content
with your present possessions: for he hath said, "I will in no wise
leave thee, neither will I in any case forsake thee[144]." (6)So that
we may with confidence say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear
what man shall do unto me.

(7)Remember your presidents, who have spoken to you the word of God:
the ultimate issue of who