1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses  * 12:1 Heb 11:2,4–5,39 surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance  * 12:1 1Co 9:24; Heb 10:36 the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,  * 12:2 Or us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter  * 12:2 Or the founder and completer, or the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him,  * 12:2 Or who instead of the joy lying before him he endured the cross, despising the shame,  * 12:2 Lk 24:26; Php 2:8–9; Heb 13:13 and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.  * 12:3 Mt 10:24; Gl 6:94 In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:

My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly

or lose heart when you are reproved by him,

6 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves

and punishes every son he receives.* 12:6 Pr 3:11–12,* 12:5–6 Jb 5:17; Ps 94:12; Pr 3:11–12; Rv 3:16

7 Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline — which all receive  * 12:8 Lit discipline, of which all have become participants  — then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  * 12:7–8 Dt 8:5; 1Pt 5:99 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?  * 12:9 Nm 16:22; Is 38:1610 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.  * 12:10 Lv 11:44; 2Pt 1:411 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit  * 12:11 Is 32:17; Jms 3:17–18 of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  * 12:11 1Pt 1:6

12 Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,  * 12:12 Jb 4:3–4; Is 35:313 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated  * 12:13 Or so that the lame will not be turned aside but healed instead.  * 12:13 Pr 4:26; Gl 6:1

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness  * 12:14 Rm 6:22; 14:19  — without it no one will see the Lord.  * 12:14 Mt 5:8; 2Co 7:115 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.  * 12:15 2Co 6:1; Gl 5:4; Heb 3:12; 10:3916 And make sure that there isn’t any immoral  * 12:16 Or sexually immoral or irreverent  * 12:16 1Tm 1:9; 4:7; 6:20; 2Tm 2:16 person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal.  * 12:16 Gn 25:3317 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.  * 12:17 Gn 27:34–38

18 For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.* 12:20 Ex 19:12,* 12:18–20 Ex 19:12–13,18; 20:18–21; Dt 4:11; 5:5,2521 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.* 12:21 Dt 9:19,* 12:21 Dt 9:1922 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering,  * 12:22 Gl 4:26; Heb 11:1023 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written  * 12:23 Or registered in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,  * 12:23 Ps 94:2; Lk 10:20; Php 3:1224 and to Jesus, the mediator  * 12:24 1Tm 2:5; Heb 7:22; 8:6; 9:15 of a new covenant,  * 12:24 1Co 11:25; 2Co 3:6; Heb 13:20 and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.  * 12:24 Gn 4:10; Heb 11:4

25 See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.  * 12:25 Heb 2:2–4; 8:5; 11:726 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.* 12:26 Hg 2:6,* 12:26 Ex 19:18; Hg 2:627 This expression, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what can be shaken  * 12:27 1Co 7:31; 2Pt 3:10  — that is, created things — so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,  * 12:28 Dn 2:44; Heb 13:1529 for our God is a consuming fire.  * 12:29 Dt 4:24; 2Th 1:8