Warning against Rejecting God’s Grace

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

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

25 Make sure 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. b 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 heaven. c d 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken e—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. f By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, g 29 for our God is a consuming fire. h