"Firm Hold" "Cling". Such strong language. What does it make you think of? Does God want us to cling to Him like lint? Are we portrayed as needy and dependent children in the Gospels?
....and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10: 21-23 (NIV)
Hebrews 10: 21 (NWT) and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with true hearts in the full assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies bathed with clean water. 23 Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.
"Draw Near" G4334, proserchomai, pros-er'-khom-ahee
From G4314 and G2064 (including its alternate); to approach, that is, (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to: - (as soon as he) come (unto), come thereunto, consent, draw near, go (near, to, unto).
"Hold Unswervingly" G2722,
katecho¯,
kat-ekh'-oFrom G2596 and G2192; to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively): - have, hold (fast), keep (in memory), let, X make toward, possess, retain, seize on, stay, take, withhold.