Hebrews 12:1–17

THE CALL TO ENDURANCE

12Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses^f surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance^g the race that lies before us, ²keeping our eyes on Jesus,^A the pioneer and perfecter^B of our faith. For the joy that lay before him,^C he endured the cross, despising the shame,^h and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

FATHERLY DISCIPLINE

³For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.^{i 4}In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:

My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly

or lose heart when you are reproved by him,

⁶for the Lord disciplines the one he loves

and punishes every son he receives.^Dj

⁷Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? ⁸But if you are without discipline—which all receive^E—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.^{k 9}Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?^{l 10}For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.^{m 11}No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruitⁿ of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.^o

¹²Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,^{p 13}and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated^F but healed instead.^q

WARNING AGAINST REJECTING GOD’S GRACE

¹⁴Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness^r—without it no one will see the Lord.^{s 15}Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.^{t 16}And make sure that there isn’t any immoral^G or irreverent^u person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal.^{v 17}For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.^w