Hebrews 12:18–29

¹⁸You have not come to something that you can feel, to a blazing fire, to darkness, to gloom, to a storm, ¹⁹to a trumpet’s blast, and to a voice. When your ancestors heard that voice, they begged not to hear it say another word. ²⁰They couldn’t obey the command that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” ²¹The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said he was trembling and afraid. 

²²Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to tens of thousands of angels joyfully gathered together ²³and to the assembly of God’s firstborn children (whose names are written in heaven). You have come to a judge (the God of all people) and to the spirits of people who have God’s approval and have gained eternal life. ²⁴You have come to Jesus, who brings the new promise^bfrom God, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better message than Abel’s. 

²⁵Be careful that you do not refuse to listen when God speaks. Your ancestors didn’t escape when they refused to listen to God, who warned them on earth. We certainly won’t escape if we turn away from God, who warns us from heaven. ²⁶When God spoke to your ancestors, his voice shook the earth. But now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the sky.” 

²⁷The words once more show clearly that God will change what he has made. These are the things that can be shaken. Then only the things that cannot be shaken will remain. ²⁸Therefore, we must be thankful that we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Because we are thankful, we must serve God with fear and awe in a way that pleases him. ²⁹After all, our God is a destructive fire.