³ Think of the opposition that he encountered from those sinners against themselves, if you would not grow weary and faint-hearted. ⁴ You have not yet resisted unto death in your struggle with sin, ⁵ and you have forgotten the challenge addressed to you as God's sons, "My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline, Or give up when he corrects you. ⁶ For it is those whom the Lord loves that he disciplines, And he chastises every son that he acknowledges."

⁷ You must submit to it as discipline. God is dealing with you as his sons. For where is there a son whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you have none of that discipline which all sons undergo, you are illegitimate children, and not true sons. ⁹ When our earthly fathers disciplined us we treated them with respect; should we not far more submit to the Father of our spirits, and so have life? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time and as they thought proper, but he does it for our good, to make us share his holiness. ¹¹ Discipline is never pleasant at the time; it is painful; but to those who are trained by it, it afterward yields the peace of character.

¹² So tighten your loosening hold! Stiffen your wavering stand! ¹³ And keep your feet in straight paths, so that limbs that are lame may not be dislocated but instead be cured.