Epistle Of Saint Paul To The Hebrews
Biblical Verses Omitted From Roman Catholic Mass
Readings
Chapter 1 verses 7-14 have been omitted from
the Mass readings.
[7] And to the angels indeed he saith: He that maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a
flame of fire. [8] But to the Son: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of justice
is the sceptre of thy kingdom. [9] Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy
God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. [10] And: Thou in the
beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of thy hands are the heavens. [11] They
shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment. [12] And as a
vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the selfsame, and thy
years shall not fail. [13] But to which of the angels said he at any time: Sit on my right hand,
until I make thy enemies thy footstool? [14] Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to
minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?
Chapter 2 verses 1-4 and 13 have been omitted from
the Mass readings.
[1] Therefore ought we more diligently to observe the things which we have heard, lest perhaps we
should let them slip. [2] For if the word, spoken by angels, became steadfast, and every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward: [3] How shall we escape if we
neglect so great salvation? which having begun to be declared by the Lord, was confirmed unto us
by them that heard him. [4] God also bearing them witness by signs, and wonders, and divers
miracles, and distributions of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.
[13] And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Behold I and my children, whom God hath
given me.
Chapter 3 verses 1-6 and 15-19 have been omitted
from the Mass readings.
[1] Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly vocation, consider the apostle and high
priest of our confession, Jesus: [2] Who is faithful to him that made him, as was also Moses in
all his house. [3] For this man was counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by so much as he
that hath built the house, hath greater honour than the house. [4] For every house is built by
some man: but he that created all things, is God. [5] And Moses indeed was faithful in all his
house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be said: [6] But Christ as the
Son in his own house: which house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and glory of hope unto
the end.
[15] While it is said, Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in that
provocation. [16] For some who heard did provoke: but not all that came out of Egypt by
Moses. [17] And with whom was he offended forty years? Was it not with them that sinned, whose
carcasses were overthrown in the desert? [18] And to whom did he swear, that they should not enter
into his rest: but to them that were incredulous? [19] And we see that they could not enter in,
because of unbelief.
Chapter 4 verses 6-10 have been omitted from the
Mass readings.
[6] Seeing then it remaineth that some are to enter into it, and they, to whom it was first
preached, did not enter because of unbelief: [7] Again he limiteth a certain day, saying in David,
Today, after so long a time, as it is above said: Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not
your hearts. [8] For if Jesus had given them rest, he would never have afterwards spoken of
another day. [9] There remaineth therefore a day of rest for the people of God. [10] For he that
is entered into his rest, the same also hath rested from his works, as God did from his.
Chapter 5 verses 11-14 have been omitted from the
Mass readings.
[11] Of whom we have much to say, and hard to be intelligibly uttered: because you are become weak
to hear. [12] For whereas for the time you ought to be masters, you have need to be taught again
what are the first elements of the words of God: and you are become such as have need of milk, and
not of strong meat. [13] For every one that is a partaker of milk, is unskillful in the word of
justice: for he is a little child. [14] But strong meat is for the perfect; for them who by custom
have their senses exercised to the discerning of good and evil.
Chapter 6 verses 1-9 have been omitted from the Mass
readings.
[1] Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on to things more perfect,
not laying again the foundation of penance from dead works, and of faith towards God, [2] Of the
doctrine of baptisms, and imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal
judgment. [3] And this will we do, if God permit.
[4] For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, have tasted also the heavenly gift,
and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] Have moreover tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come, [6] And are fallen away: to be renewed again to penance, crucifying
again to themselves the Son of God, and making him a mockery. [7] For the earth that drinketh in
the rain which cometh often upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is tilled,
receiveth blessing from God. [8] But that which bringeth forth thorns and briers, is
reprobate, and very near unto a curse, whose end is to be burnt.
[9] But, my dearly beloved, we trust better things of you, and nearer to salvation; though we
speak thus.
Chapter 7 verses 4-14 and 18-22 have been omitted
from the Mass readings.
[4] Now consider how great this man is, to whom also Abraham the patriarch gave tithes out of the
principal things. [5] And indeed they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood,
have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is to say, of their
brethren: though they themselves also came out of the loins of Abraham. [6] But he, whose pedigree
is not numbered among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. [7]
And without all contradiction, that which is less, is blessed by the better. [8] And here indeed,
men that die, receive thithes: but there he hath witness, that he liveth. [9] And (as it may be
said) even Levi who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham: [10] For he was yet in the loins of
his father, when Melchisedech met him.
[11] If then perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the
law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of
Melchisedech, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? [12] For the priesthood being
translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law. [13] For he, of whom these
things are spoken, is of another tribe, of which no one attended on the altar. [14] For it is
evident that our Lord sprung out of Juda: in which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
...[18] There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof: [19] (For the law brought nothing to perfection,) but a bringing in of a
better hope, by which we draw nigh to God. [20] And inasmuch as it is not without an oath, (for
the others indeed were made priests without an oath; [21] But this with an oath, by him that said
unto him: The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever.) [22] By so
much is Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Chapter 8 is covered in full in the Mass Readings
sometime at least every three years.
Chapter 9 verses 1, 4-10 and 16-23 have been omitted
from the Mass readings.
[1] The former indeed had also justifications of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. ...[4]
Having a golden censer, and the ark of the testament covered about on every part with gold, in
which was a golden pot that had manna, and the rod of Aaron, that had blossomed, and the tables of
the testament. [5] And over it were the cherubims of glory overshadowing the propitiatory: of
which it is not needful to speak now particularly. [6] Now these things being thus ordered, into
the first tabernacle the priests indeed always entered, accomplishing the offices of sacrifices.
[7] But into the second, the high priest alone, once a year: not without blood, which he offereth
for his own, and the people's ignorance: [8] The Holy Ghost signifying this, that the way into the
holies was not yet made manifest, whilst the former tabernacle was yet standing. [9] Which is a
parable of the time present: according to which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which can not,
as to the conscience, make him perfect that serveth, only in meats and in drinks, [10] And divers
washings, and justices of the flesh laid on them until the time of correction.
[16] For where there is a testament, the death of the testator must of necessity come in. [17] For
a testament is of force, after men are dead: otherwise it is as yet of no strength, whilst the
testator liveth. [18] Whereupon neither was the first indeed dedicated without blood. [19] For
when every commandment of the law had been read by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of
calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and
all the people, [20] Saying: This is the blood of the testament, which God hath enjoined unto you.
[21] The tabernacle also and all the vessels of the ministry, in like manner, he sprinkled with
blood. [22] And almost all things, according to the law, are cleansed with blood: and without
shedding of blood there is no remission.
[23] It is necessary therefore that the patterns of heavenly things should be cleansed with these:
but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Chapter 10 verses 26-31 have been omitted from the
Mass readings.
[26] For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no
sacrifice for sins, [27] But a certain dreadful expectation of judgment, and the rage of a fire
which shall consume the adversaries. [28] A man making void the law of Moses, dieth without any
mercy under two or three witnesses: [29] How much more, do you think he deserveth worse
punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath esteemed the blood of the
testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of grace?
[30] For we know him that hath said: Vengeance belongeth to me, and I will repay. And again: The
Lord shall judge his people. [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God.
Chapter 11 verses 20-31 have been omitted from the
Mass readings.
[20] By faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. [21] By faith Jacob dying,
blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. [22] By faith Joseph, when he
was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel; and gave commandment
concerning his bones.
[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents; because they saw he
was a comely babe, and they feared not the king's edict. [24] By faith Moses, when he was grown
up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao's daughter; [25] Rather choosing to be afflicted with
the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time, [26] Esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward. [27] By
faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured as seeing him that is
invisible. [28] By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he, who
destroyed the firstborn, might not touch them. [29] By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as
by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up. [30]By faith the walls of Jericho
fell down, by the going round them seven days. [31] By faith Rahab the harlot perished not
with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace.
Chapter 12 verses 8-10, 16-17, 20, and 25-29 have
been omitted from the Mass readings.
[8] But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards, and
not sons. [9] Moreover we have had fathers of our flesh, for instructors, and we reverenced them:
shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits, and live? [10] And they indeed for a few days,
according to their own pleasure, instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his
sanctification.
[16] Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau; who for one mess, sold his first
birthright. [17] For know ye that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the benediction, he was
rejected; for he found no place of repentance, although with tears he had sought it.
[20] For they did not endure that which was said: And if so much as a beast shall touch the mount,
it shall be stoned. ...[25] See that you refuse him not that speaketh. For if they escaped not who
refused him that spoke upon the earth, much more shall not we, that turn away from him that
speaketh to us from heaven. [26] Whose voice then moved the earth; but now he promiseth, saying:
Yet once more, and I will move not only the earth, but heaven also. [27] And in that he saith, Yet
once more, he signifieth the translation of the moveable things as made, that those things may
remain which are immoveable. [28] Therefore receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace;
whereby let us serve, pleasing God, with fear and reverence. [29] For our God is a consuming
fire.
Chapter 13 verses 9-14, 18-19 and 22-25 have been
omitted from the Mass readings.
[9] Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be
established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them. [10] We
have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle. [11] For the bodies of
those beasts, whose blood is brought into the holies by the high priest for sin, are burned
without the camp. [12] Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood,
suffered without the gate. [13] Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his
reproach. [14] For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.
[18] Pray for us. For we trust we have a good conscience, being willing to behave ourselves well
in all things. [19] And I beseech you the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the
sooner.
[22] And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of consolation. For I have written to
you in a few words. [23] Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom (if he come
shortly) I will see you. [24] Salute all your prelates, and all the saints. The brethren from
Italy salute you. [25] Grace be with you all. Amen.