Hebrews 12–13

The Call to Endurance

12Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses ^ssurrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance ^tthe race that lies before us, ²keeping our eyes on Jesus, ^uthe source and perfecter ^vof our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him ^wendured a cross and despised the shame ^xand has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

Fatherly Discipline

³For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart. ^y4In 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 faint when you are reproved by Him,

⁶for the Lord disciplines the one He loves

and punishes every son He receives. ^za

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 ^breceive ^c—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ^d9Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? ^e10For 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. ^f11No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace ^gand righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ^h

¹²Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, ⁱ¹³and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated ^jbut healed instead. ^k

Warning against Rejecting God’s Grace

¹⁴Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness ^l—without it no one will see the Lord. ^m15Make 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. ⁿ¹⁶And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent ^operson like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal. ^p17For 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

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: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned! ^rs21The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling. ^tu) ²²Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, ^v23to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written ^win heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, ^x24to Jesus (mediator ^yof a new covenant ^z), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel. ^a

²⁵Make 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. ^b26His 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. ^cd27This 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. ²⁸Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. ^fBy it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, ^g29for our God is a consuming fire. ^h

Final Exhortations

13Let brotherly love ⁱcontinue. ²Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. ^j3Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily. ^k4Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers. ^l5Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. ^mn6Therefore, we may boldly say:

The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me? ^op

⁷Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. ^q8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ^r9Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, since those involved in them have not benefited. ^s10We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat. ^t11For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest ^uas a sin offering are burned outside the camp. ^v12Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, ^wso that He might sanctify ^xthe people by His own blood. ¹³Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace. ^y14For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come. ^z15Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. ^a16Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. ^b17Obey your leaders ^cand submit to them, for they keep watch ^dover your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. ¹⁸Pray for us; for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything. ^e19And I especially urge you to pray ^fthat I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Farewell

²⁰Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep ^g—with the blood of the everlasting covenant, ^h21equip ⁱyou with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever. ^jkAmen.

²²Brothers, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. ²³Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. ²⁴Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you. ²⁵Grace be with all of you. ^l