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

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.

But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.