| 1 | Therefore, 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 perseverance the race that is set before us, |
| 2 | looking to Jesus the pioneer 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. |
| 3 | Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. |
| 4 | In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. |
| 5 | And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? -- "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. |
| 6 | For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." |
| 7 | It 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? |
| 8 | If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. |
| 9 | Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? |
| 10 | For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. |
| 11 | For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. |
| 12 | Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, |
| 13 | and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. |
| 14 | Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. |
| 15 | See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" spring up and cause trouble, and by it the many become defiled; |
| 16 | that no one be immoral or irreligious like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. |
| 17 | For 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. |
| 18 | For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, |
| 19 | and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers entreat that no further messages be spoken to them. |
| 20 | For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." |
| 21 | Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear." |
| 22 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, |
| 23 | and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, |
| 24 | and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel. |
| 25 | See 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 shall we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. |
| 26 | His voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." |
| 27 | This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken, as of what has been made, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain. |
| 28 | Therefore 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; |
| 29 | for our God is a consuming fire. |
| 1 | Let brotherly love continue. |
| 2 | Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. |
| 3 | Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. |
| 4 | Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. |
| 5 | Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you." |
| 6 | Hence we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?" |
| 7 | Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. |
| 8 | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. |
| 9 | Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents. |
| 10 | We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. |
| 11 | For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. |
| 12 | So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. |
| 13 | Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. |
| 14 | For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. |
| 15 | Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. |
| 16 | Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. |
| 17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. |
| 18 | Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. |
| 19 | I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. |
| 20 | Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, |
| 21 | equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. |
| 22 | I appeal to you, brethren, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. |
| 23 | You should understand that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. |
| 24 | Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. |
| 25 | Grace be with all of you. Amen. |
