Hebrews 12:1–17

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 run^g with perseverance^h the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus,ⁱ the pioneer^j 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

⁴In 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 heart^p when he rebukes you,

⁶because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,^q

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”^ar

⁷Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.^s For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline^t—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹Moreover, 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 spirits^u 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 peace^x for those who have been trained by it.

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

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴Make every effort to live in peace with everyone^b and to be holy;^c without holiness no one will see the Lord.^{d 15}See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God^e and that no bitter root^f grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶See that no one is sexually immoral,^g or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.^{h 17}Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,ⁱ he could not change what he had done.