Hebrews 12

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1. 1Since we are surrounded by such an enormous crowd of witnesses, let's throw off everything that weighs us down — especially the sin that so easily entangles us — and run with endurance the race that's been laid out for us.
2. 2Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. 3Think about how he endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you do not become weary and lose heart.
4. 4In your struggle against sin, you haven't yet had to fight to the point of shedding your blood.
5. 5And you have forgotten the exhortation that speaks to you as children: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor lose heart when He rebukes you.'
6. 6For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he scourges every son he accepts.
7. 7If you endure discipline, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom the father does not discipline?
8. 8But if you are without discipline, which everyone experiences, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9. 9Think about it: we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and truly live?
10. 10Our earthly fathers disciplined us for a short time based on what they thought was best. But God disciplines us for our good, so that we can share in his holiness.
11. 11No discipline feels pleasant at the time — it's painful. But later on, it produces a harvest of peace and righteousness in those who have been trained by it.
12. 12So strengthen your tired arms and your weak knees.
13. 13Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be turned aside, but rather be healed.
14. 14Make every effort to live at peace with everyone, and pursue holiness — because without it, no one will see the Lord.
15. 15Be diligent so that no one falls short of the grace of God, and so that no root of bitterness grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
16. 16Make sure no one is sexually immoral or profane, like Esau, who traded his birthright for a single meal.
17. 17You know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, even though he sought it carefully with tears.
18. 18You haven't come to a mountain you can touch, one that blazed with fire, shrouded in darkness, gloom, and a raging storm —
19. 19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice speaking words, which those who heard begged not to be spoken to them anymore.
20. 20(For they could not endure what was commanded, "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:"
21. 21And so terrible was the sight that Moses said, "I am extremely afraid and I tremble.")
22. 22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion — to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem — and to countless thousands of angels gathered in celebration,
23. 23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24. 24You have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to his sprinkled blood, which speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25. 25Be careful not to refuse the one who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they rejected the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we turn away from the one who warns us from heaven?
26. 26His voice shook the earth back then, but now he has made a promise: "Once more I will shake not only the earth, but the heavens as well."
27. 27The phrase 'Yet once more' indicates the removal of things that can be shaken, as things that are made, so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, so that we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
29. 29For our God is a consuming fire.