Hebrews 12:18–29

¹⁸For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, ¹⁹to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, ²⁰for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.^{Ax 21}The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.^{By 22}Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering,^{z 23}to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written^C in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,^{aa 24}and to Jesus, the mediator^ab of a new covenant,^ac and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.^ad

²⁵See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.^{ae 26}His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.^{Da 27}This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken^b—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. ²⁸Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,^{c 29}for our God is a consuming fire.^d