Hebrews 12:14-16
New English Translation
Do Not Reject God’s Warning
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness,[a] for without it no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up[b] and causing trouble, and through it many become defiled. 16 And see to it that no one becomes[c] an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.[d]
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- Hebrews 12:14 sn The references to peace and holiness show the close connection between this paragraph and the previous one. The pathway toward “holiness” and the need for it is cited in Heb 12:10 and 14. More importantly Prov 4:26-27 sets up the transition from one paragraph to the next: It urges people to stay on godly paths (Prov 4:26, quoted here in v. 13) and promises that God will lead them in peace if they do so (Prov 4:27 [LXX], quoted in v. 14).
- Hebrews 12:15 tn Grk “that there not be any root of bitterness,” but referring figuratively to a person who causes trouble (as in Deut 29:17 [LXX] from which this is quoted).sn An allusion to Deut 29:18.
- Hebrews 12:16 tn Grk “that there not be any,” continuing from v. 15.
- Hebrews 12:16 sn An allusion to Gen 27:34-41.
Hebrews 12:14-16
King James Version
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
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Hebrews 12:14-16
New King James Version
14 (A)Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, (B)without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone (C)fall short of the grace of God; lest any (D)root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any (E)fornicator or [a]profane person like Esau, (F)who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
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- Hebrews 12:16 godless
Hebrews 12:14-16
English Standard Version
14 (A)Strive for peace with everyone, and for the (B)holiness (C)without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one (D)fails to obtain the grace of God; that no (E)“root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is (F)sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
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