Hebrews 12:1–17

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