1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (1Co 9:24; Eph 4:22; Heb 6:18; Heb 10:36)2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter 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. (Ps 22:6; Ps 69:19; Isa 53:3; Isa 53:11; Lu 24:26; Php 2:8; Heb 1:3)
Do Not Grow Weary
3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Mt 10:24; Ga 6:9; Re 2:3)4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. (Job 5:17; Pr 3:11)6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Ps 94:12; Ps 119:67; Ps 119:75; Re 3:19)7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (De 8:5; 2Sa 7:14; Pr 13:24; Pr 19:18; Pr 23:13)8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (1Pe 5:9)9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? (Nu 16:22; Isa 38:16)10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Le 11:44; 2Pe 1:4)11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Jas 3:17; 1Pe 1:6)12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, (Job 4:3; Isa 35:3)13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Pr 4:26; Ga 6:1; Jas 5:16)14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Mt 5:8; Ro 14:19; 2Co 7:1; Eph 5:5; 1Th 4:7; Re 21:27; Re 22:4)15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; (De 29:18; 2Co 6:1; Ga 5:4; Heb 4:1)16that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. (Ge 25:33; Heb 13:4)17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Ge 27:34; Ge 27:36; Ge 27:38)
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest (Ex 19:18; Ex 20:18; De 4:11; De 5:22; 2Co 3:9)19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. (Ex 19:16; Ex 19:19; Ex 20:19; De 5:5; De 18:16)20For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” (Ex 19:12)21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” (Ex 19:16; De 9:19)22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, (Ga 4:26; Jud 1:14; Re 14:1)23and to the assembly[1] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, (Ge 18:25; Ex 4:22; Lu 10:20)24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Ge 4:10; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 10:22; Heb 11:4)25See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. (Heb 2:3)26At 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 heavens.” (Ex 19:18; Hag 2:6; Hag 2:21)27This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. (Ps 102:26)28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (Da 2:44; Heb 13:15)29for our God is a consuming fire. (De 4:24; 2Th 1:8)
Hebrews 12
New International Version
from Biblica1Therefore, 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 with perseverance the race marked out for us,2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
God disciplines his children
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,6because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.’[1] (Pr 3:11; Pr 3:12)7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?8If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.9Moreover, 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 and live!10They 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.11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.13‘Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Pr 4:26)
Warning and encouragement
14Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no-one will see the Lord.15See to it that no-one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.16See that no-one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.17Afterwards, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
The mountain of fear and the mountain of joy
18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,20because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.’ (Ex 19:12; Ex 19:13)21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’[2] (De 9:19)22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ (Hag 2:6)27The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,29for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’ (De 4:24)
Hebrews 12
King James Version
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2Looking unto 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 set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.18For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:29For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us.2Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3He made it through these attacks by sinners. So think about him. Then you won’t get tired. You won’t lose hope.
God trains his children
4You struggle against sin. But you have not yet fought to the point of spilling your blood.5Have you completely forgotten this word of hope? It speaks to you as a father to his children. It says, ‘My son, think of the Lord’s training as important. Do not lose hope when he corrects you.6The Lord trains the one he loves. He corrects everyone he accepts as his son.’ (Pr 3:11; Pr 3:12)7Put up with hard times. God uses them to train you. He is treating you as his children. What children are not trained by their parents?8God trains all his children. But what if he doesn’t train you? Then you are not really his children. You are not God’s true sons and daughters at all.9Besides, we have all had human fathers who trained us. We respected them for it. How much more should we be trained by the Father of spirits and live!10Our parents trained us for a little while. They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He does this so we may share in his holiness.11No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. It does this for those who have been trained by it.12So put your hands to work. Strengthen your legs for the journey.13‘Make level paths for your feet to walk on.’ Then those who have trouble walking won’t be disabled. Instead, they will be healed. (Pr 4:26)
A warning and an appeal
14Try your best to live in peace with everyone. Try hard to be holy. Without holiness no one will see the Lord.15Be sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. See to it that a bitter plant doesn’t grow up. If it does, it will cause trouble. And it will make many people impure.16See to it that no one commits sexual sins. See to it that no one is godless like Esau. He sold the rights to what he would receive as the eldest son. He sold them for a single meal.17As you know, after that he wanted to receive his father’s blessing. But he was turned away. With tears he tried to get the blessing. But he couldn’t change what he had done.
The mountain of fear and the mountain of joy
18You haven’t come to a mountain that can be touched. You haven’t come to a mountain burning with fire. You haven’t come to darkness, gloom and storm.19You haven’t come to a blast from God’s trumpet. You haven’t come to a voice speaking to you. When people heard that voice long ago, they begged it not to say anything more to them.20What God commanded was too much for them. He said, ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be killed with stones.’ (Ex 19:12; Ex 19:13)21The sight was terrifying. Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’ (De 9:19)22But you have come to Mount Zion. You have come to the city of the living God. This is the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to a joyful gathering of angels. There are thousands and thousands of them.23You have come to the church of God’s people. God’s first and only Son is over all things. God’s people share in what belongs to his Son. Their names are written in heaven. You have come to God, who is the Judge of all people. You have come to the spirits of godly people who have been made perfect.24You have come to Jesus. He is the go-between of a new covenant. You have come to the sprinkled blood. It promises better things than the blood of Abel.25Be sure that you don’t say no to the one who speaks. People did not escape when they said no to the one who warned them on earth. And what if we turn away from the one who warns us from heaven? How much less will we escape!26At that time his voice shook the earth. But now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake the earth. I will also shake the heavens.’ (Hag 2:6)27The words ‘once more’ point out that what can be shaken can be taken away. I’m talking about created things. Then what can’t be shaken will remain.28We are receiving a kingdom that can’t be shaken. So let us be thankful. Then we can worship God in a way that pleases him. Let us worship him with deep respect and wonder.29Our ‘God is like a fire that burns everything up.’ (De 4:24)