Totally Free Bible Version
Hebrews 12
Run the Race
1So then, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of witnesses, let us put aside every impediment and sin that can easily ensnare us and let us run the race which is set before us. 2Let us do these things looking steadily with trust on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who, because of the joy placed before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3And consider how great the hostility he endured for sinners was, so that you might not grow weary or lose strength. 4You have not yet had to resist as far as bloodshed in your fight against sin, 5and you have forgotten the exhortation that speaks to you as children:
"My son, don't belittle the Lord's discipline,
And don't become weary at his rebuke. 6For whoever the Lord loves he disciplines,
And he punishes every son that he accepts." [Proverbs 3:11-12]
Discipline of the Lord
7Endure discipline. God is dealing with you as his children. For what son does a father not discipline? 8Now if you are without discipline, of which all children share, then you are strangers and not sons. 9Furthermore, we all had parents according to the flesh who disciplined us and we accepted it. Should we not be much more willing to be subject to our spiritual father so we can live? 10On the one hand our parents disciplined us for a little while as they thought fitting. God, on the other hand, does what is needed to let us share his holy character. 11For no discipline is considered pleasant while it lasts, but rather sorrow. Later, however, it bears the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it.
Strengthen One Another
12Therefore restore the weakened hands and the bent knees, 13and prepare straight paths for your feet so that the lame might not stumble but rather might be healed.
Falling Short of God's Grace
14Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which nobody can see the Lord. 15Be careful not to fall short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness grows up to annoy and in this way defiles many. 16Let nobody be immoral and profane like Esau, who handed over his birthright in exchange for a single meal. 17For you know that later, wanting to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, since repentance did not find a place in his mind.
Two Mountains
18For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a furious fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind 19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice speaking words which made the hearers beg to hear no more. 20For they could not endure the command that was given, "Even a beast who touches the mountain shall be stoned." [Exodus 19:12,13] 21Indeed, so fearful were the things which appeared that Moses said, "I am fearful and trembling." 22You, rather, have come to Zion, the mountain and city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, with myriads of angels in festive array, 23and an assembly of the firstborn inscribed in heaven. And you have come to God the judge of everyone, and the spirits of the mature righteous, 24and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant and the sprinkled blood that gives us a better message than the blood of Abel.
25Watch, so that you don't deny what is being said. For if those people could not flee upon the earth if they denied the things that were sketched out, how much less can we escape if we turn away from the message direct from heaven? 26God's voice will then shake the earth, but now he has promised, saying, "One time more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." [Haggai 2:6] 27Now the words "one more time" refer to the removal of the things that are shaken, that is, of created things, so that those which are not shaken might remain. 28So let's be thankful that we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, so we can provide service that is pleasing to God with awe and fear. 29For our God is a consuming fire.
Average revision: 4 (Draft # 2 by individual translator)
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