Hebrews 12:1–17

A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. Let us keep on running the race marked out for us.

²Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

³He put up with attacks from sinners. So think about him. Then you won’t get tired. You won’t lose hope.

God Trains His Children

⁴You struggle against sin. But you have not yet fought to the point of spilling your blood. ⁵You have forgotten that word of hope. It speaks to you as children. It says,

“My son, think of the Lord’s training as important.

Do not lose hope when he corrects you.

⁶The Lord trains those he loves.

He punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

⁷Put up with hard times. God uses them to train you. He is treating you as children. What children are not trained by their parents? ⁸God trains all of his children. But what if he doesn’t train you? Then you are like children of people who weren’t married to each other. You are not truly God’s children.

⁹Besides, we have all had human parents who trained us. We respected them for it. How much more should we be trained by the Father of our spirits and live!

¹⁰Our parents trained us for a little while. They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He wants us to share in his holiness.

¹¹No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. It does that for those who have been trained by it.

¹²So lift your sagging arms. Strengthen your weak knees. ¹³“Make level paths for your feet to walk on.” Then those who have trouble walking won’t be disabled. Instead, they will be healed.

A Warning Against Saying No to God

¹⁴Try your best to live in peace with everyone. Try to be holy. Without holiness no one will see the Lord.

¹⁵Be sure that no one misses God’s grace. See to it that a bitter plant doesn’t grow up. If it does, it will cause trouble. And it will pollute many people. ¹⁶See to it that no one commits sexual sins.

See to it that no one is godless like Esau. He sold the rights to what he would receive as the oldest son. He sold them for a single meal. ¹⁷As you know, after that he wanted to receive his father’s blessing. But he was turned away. With tears he tried to get the blessing. But he couldn’t get his father to change his mind.