Hebrews 12-13

New International Version

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run^(A) with perseverance^(B) the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(C) the pioneer^(D) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(E) scorning its shame,^(F) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(G) 3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary^(H) and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.^{(I) 5} And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.^(M) For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline^(N)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits^(O) and live!^{(P) 10} They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.^{(Q) 11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace^(R) for those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.^{(S) 13} “Make level paths for your feet,”^[b](T) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.^(U)

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone^(V) and to be holy;^(W) without holiness no one will see the Lord.^{(X) 15} See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God^(Y) and that no bitter root^(Z) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral,^(AA) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.^{(AB) 17} Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,^(AC) he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(AD) 19} to a trumpet blast^(AE) or to such a voice speaking words^(AF) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^{(AG) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[c](AH) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[d](AI)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion,^(AJ) to the city^(AK) of the living God,^(AL) the heavenly Jerusalem.^(AM) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(AN) whose names are written in heaven.^(AO) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(AP) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{(AQ) 24} to Jesus the mediator^(AR) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(AS) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(AT)

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse^(AU) him who speaks.^(AV) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned^(AW) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?^{(AX) 26} At that time his voice shook the earth,^(AY) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^{[e](AZ) 27} The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken^(BA)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(BB) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^{(BC) 29} for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[f](BD)

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.^{(BE) 2} Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,^(BF) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.^{(BG) 3} Continue to remember those in prison^(BH) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

⁴ Marriage should be honored by all,^(BI) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.^{(BJ) 5} Keep your lives free from the love of money^(BK) and be content with what you have,^(BL) because God has said,

⁶ So we say with confidence,

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(BO) who spoke the word of God^(BP) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(BQ) their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(BR)

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.^(BS) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened^(BT) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,^(BU) which is of no benefit to those who do so.^{(BV) 10} We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle^(BW) have no right to eat.^(BX)

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,^(BY) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.^{(BZ) 12} And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate^(CA) to make the people holy^(CB) through his own blood.^{(CC) 13} Let us, then, go to him^(CD) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.^{(CE) 14} For here we do not have an enduring city,^(CF) but we are looking for the city that is to come.^(CG)

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice^(CH) of praise—the fruit of lips^(CI) that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(CJ) for with such sacrifices^(CK) God is pleased.

¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders^(CL) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you^(CM) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

¹⁸ Pray for us.^(CN) We are sure that we have a clear conscience^(CO) and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.^(CP)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(CQ) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(CR) brought back from the dead^(CS) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^{(CT) 21} equip you with everything good for doing his will,^(CU) and may he work in us^(CV) what is pleasing to him,^(CW) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(CX)

²² Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.^(CY)

²³ I want you to know that our brother Timothy^(CZ) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

²⁴ Greet all your leaders^(DA) and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy^(DB) send you their greetings.

²⁵ Grace be with you all.^(DC)