Thematic Bible

Hebrews 12:1

A great cloud of witnesses surround us. Therefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that easily entangles us. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:2

Look to (consider without distractions) Jesus, the Leader (Predecessor) and Finisher (Perfecter) of our faith. He despised the shame. He endured the stake for the joy that was set before him. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:3

Consider him who endured such contrary talk by sinners against him. You should not get tired and give up in your mind (heart).

Hebrews 12:4

You have not yet resisted by shedding blood in your striving against sin.

Hebrews 12:5

You have forgotten the exhortation that reasons with you as to sons: My son, do not despise (regard lightly) discipline from Jehovah and do not lose heart when he corrects you. (Proverbs 3:11, 12)

Hebrews 12:6

Jehovah disciplines those he loves. In fact he scourges every son (child) he receives.

Hebrews 12:7

God deals with you like children. Endure discipline (instruction) (training). Who is the child whom a father does not discipline?

Hebrews 12:8

If you are without discipline, you are illegitimate children, and not sons.

Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh that corrected us, and we gave them respect. Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

Hebrews 12:10

They disciplined us for a few days for their own pleasure. He disciplines for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews 12:11

Now no discipline for the present seems to be joyous. In fact it seems grievous! Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained.

Hebrews 12:12

Lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees.

Hebrews 12:13

Make straight paths for your feet. Let that which is lame be turned out of the way, but rather let it be healed.

Hebrews 12:14

Pursue peace and holiness with all people, for no man will see the Lord without it.

Hebrews 12:15

See that no one misses the grace of God; that no bitter root spring up to cause trouble and defile many.

Hebrews 12:16

Let no one become immoral or unspiritual like Esau. He sold his birthright for a single meal!

Hebrews 12:17

Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive (inherit) his father's blessing. He was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done. He was in tears when he looked for it.

Hebrews 12:18

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the darkness and the gloom, the storm.

Hebrews 12:19

You have not come to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of a voice. When the people heard the voice, they begged not to hear another word.

Hebrews 12:20

They could not bear the order: If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.

Hebrews 12:21

The sight was so terrible (formidable) (fearful) that Moses said: I am full of fear and trembling.

Hebrews 12:22

You have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads (thousands of thousands) of angels,

Hebrews 12:23

to the general assembly and congregation of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just (righteous) (holy) men made perfect (mature) (having all needed qualities).

Hebrews 12:24

You have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks in a better way than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12:25

Be careful, then, and do not refuse to hear him who speaks. Those who refused to hear the one who gave the divine message on earth did not escape. How much less shall we escape then, if we turn away from the one who speaks from heaven!

Hebrews 12:26

His voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised: I will once more shake not only the earth but also heaven.

Hebrews 12:27

The words once more plainly show that the created things will be shaken and removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain.

Hebrews 12:28

Let us be thankful, because we will receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship (serve) (intensely adore) God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe.

Hebrews 12:29

Our God is a destroying (consuming) fire.