Hebrews 11:39–12:4

³⁹Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.^*

The Example of Jesus

¹²Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,^q and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,^{* 2}looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of^r the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.^*

³Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners,^s so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.^{* 4}In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.