Hebrews 12–13

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. ⁵And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—

“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord

or lose heart when you are punished by him,^*

⁶for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves

and chastises every child whom he accepts.”^*

⁷Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children, for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline?^{* 8}If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children.^{* 9}Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness.^{* 11}Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.^*

¹²Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees^{* 13}and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.^*

Warnings against Rejecting God’s Grace

¹⁴Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble and through it many become defiled.^{* 16}See to it that no one becomes an immoral and godless person, as Esau was, who sold his birthright for a single meal.^{* 17}You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing^t with tears.^*

¹⁸You have not come to something^u that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest,^{* 19}and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them.^{* 20}(For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.”^{* 21}Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”)^{* 22}But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,^{* 23}and to the assembly^v of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{* 24}and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^*

²⁵See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking, for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven!^{* 26}At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.”^{* 27}This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.^{* 28}Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, ²⁹for indeed our God is a consuming fire.^*

Service Well-Pleasing to God

¹³Let mutual affection continue. ²Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.^{* 3}Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them, those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.^{w 4}Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.^{* 5}Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”^{* 6}So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?”

⁷Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ⁹Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food,^x which have not benefited those who observe them.^{* 10}We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent^y have no right to eat.^{* 11}For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.^{* 12}Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood.^{* 13}Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. ¹⁴For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.^{* 15}Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.^{* 16}Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

¹⁷Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing, for that would be harmful to you.^*

¹⁸Pray for us; we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.^{* 19}I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction

²⁰Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,^{* 21}make you complete in everything good^z so that you may do his will, as he works among us^a that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever.^b Amen.^*

Final Exhortation and Greetings

²²I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. ²³I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free, and if he comes in time he will be with me when I see you.^{* 24}Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. ²⁵Grace be with all of you.^c*