Hebrews 12:12–13:25
12 Therefore rstrengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 sPursue peace with all people, and holiness, twithout which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone ufall short of the grace of God; lest any vroot of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any wfornicator or 6profane person like Esau, xwho for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was yrejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
18 For you have not come 7to zthe mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and 8darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it abegged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: b“And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned 9or shot with an arrow.” 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, c“I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the 1general assembly and church of dthe firstborn ewho are registered in heaven, to God fthe Judge of all, to the spirits of just men gmade perfect, 24 to Jesus hthe Mediator of the new covenant, and to ithe blood of sprinkling that speaks better things jthan that of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For kif they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, l“Yet once more I 2shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the mremoval of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we 3may nserve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For oour God is a consuming fire.
13 Let abrotherly love continue. 2 bDo not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing csome have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 dRemember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
4 eMarriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; fbut fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, g“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:
h“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Concluding Religious Directions
7 Remember those who 1rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is ithe same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried 2about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might 3sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing jHis reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 kTherefore by Him let us continually offer lthe sacrifice of praise to God, that is, mthe fruit of our lips, 4giving thanks to His name. 16 nBut do not forget to do good and to share, for owith such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 pObey those who 5rule over you, and be submissive, for qthey watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18 rPray for us; for we are confident that we have sa good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell
20 Now may tthe God of peace uwho brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, vthat great Shepherd of the sheep, wthrough the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you 6complete in every good work to do His will, xworking in 7you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
24 Greet all those who 8rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.