Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us rung with perseveranceh the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus,i the pioneerj and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,k scorning its shame,l and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.m 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow wearyn and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.o 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and do not lose heartp when he rebukes you,

6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,q

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”a r

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.s For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes disciplinet—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spiritsu and live!v 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.w 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peacex for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.y 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”b z so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.a

Warning and Encouragement

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyoneb and to be holy;c without holiness no one will see the Lord.d