Hebrews 12:1-17

Hebrews 12

Run the Race

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us get rid of every burden and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patient endurance the race that is laid out for us. ² Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author of our faith and the one who brings it to its goal. In view of the joy set before him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne. ³ Carefully consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinful people, so that you do not grow weary and lose heart.

The Lord’s Discipline

⁴ You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood in your fight against sin. ⁵ Have you also forgotten the encouragement that addresses you as sons?

⁷ Endure suffering as discipline. God is dealing with you as sons. Is there a son whose father does not discipline him? ⁸ If you are not disciplined (and all of us have received it), then you are illegitimate children and not sons. ⁹ In addition, we have earthly fathers ^[2] who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not submit even more to the Father of the spirits ^[3] and live? ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while, according to what seemed best to them, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may have a share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant when it is happening, but painful, yet later it yields a peaceful harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore strengthen your weak hands and feeble knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but rather healed.

¹⁴ Pursue peace with everyone and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ Take care so that no one falls short of God’s grace and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and so defile many. ¹⁶ Take care that no one becomes sexually immoral or worldly, like Esau, who gave away his right as firstborn for a single meal. ¹⁷ Certainly you know that afterward he was rejected when he wanted to inherit the blessing, for he found no chance to change his father’s mind, even though he sought it with tears.