1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
God disciplines his children
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,6because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.’[1] (Pr 3:11; Pr 3:12)7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?8If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!10They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.13‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Pr 4:26)
Warning and encouragement
14Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no-one will see the Lord.15See to it that no-one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.16See that no-one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.17Afterwards, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
The mountain of fear and the mountain of joy
18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,20because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.’ (Ex 19:12; Ex 19:13)21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’[2] (De 9:19)22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ (Hag 2:6)27The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,29for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’ (De 4:24)
Hebrews 12
English Standard Version
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (1Co 9:24; Eph 4:22; Heb 6:18; Heb 10:36)2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Ps 22:6; Ps 69:19; Isa 53:3; Isa 53:11; Lu 24:26; Php 2:8; Heb 1:3)
Do Not Grow Weary
3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Mt 10:24; Ga 6:9; Re 2:3)4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. (Job 5:17; Pr 3:11)6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Ps 94:12; Ps 119:67; Ps 119:75; Re 3:19)7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (De 8:5; 2Sa 7:14; Pr 13:24; Pr 19:18; Pr 23:13)8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (1Pe 5:9)9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (Nu 16:22; Isa 38:16)10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Le 11:44; 2Pe 1:4)11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Jas 3:17; 1Pe 1:6)12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, (Job 4:3; Isa 35:3)13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Pr 4:26; Ga 6:1; Jas 5:16)14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Mt 5:8; Ro 14:19; 2Co 7:1; Eph 5:5; 1Th 4:7; Re 21:27; Re 22:4)15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; (De 29:18; 2Co 6:1; Ga 5:4; Heb 4:1)16that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. (Ge 25:33; Heb 13:4)17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Ge 27:34; Ge 27:36; Ge 27:38)
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest (Ex 19:18; Ex 20:18; De 4:11; De 5:22; 2Co 3:9)19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. (Ex 19:16; Ex 19:19; Ex 20:19; De 5:5; De 18:16)20For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” (Ex 19:12)21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” (Ex 19:16; De 9:19)22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, (Ga 4:26; Jud 1:14; Re 14:1)23and to the assembly[1] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, (Ge 18:25; Ex 4:22; Lu 10:20)24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Ge 4:10; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 10:22; Heb 11:4)25See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. (Heb 2:3)26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” (Ex 19:18; Hag 2:6; Hag 2:21)27This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. (Ps 102:26)28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (Da 2:44; Heb 13:15)29for our God is a consuming fire. (De 4:24; 2Th 1:8)