How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2, NRSV)
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2, KJV)
The author is talking about the Hebrew Bible here. God communicated through Jewish scripture, traditions, and customs, but now he's got a brand new bag. And his name is Jesus.
Quote #2
It is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. (Hebrews 2:16, NRSV)
He took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. (Hebrews 2:16, KJV)
Jesus' message is for the Jewish people…so the author is gonna spend quite a bit of time tying him to Jewish traditions and customs.
Quote #3
As the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.' As in my anger I swore, 'They will not enter my rest.'" Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:7-12, NRSV)
(As the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Hebrews 3:7-12, KJV)
Traditional stories with a modern twist! The author sees the ancient Jews as an example for believers: trust in God and don't doubt him or the consequences will be… not good.