12Hebrews 12

A Large Crowd of Witnesses

1Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.Select Hebrews 12:1

2We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God's throne!Select Hebrews 12:2

3So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up.Select Hebrews 12:3

4None of you have yet been hurt in your battle against sin.Select Hebrews 12:4

5But you have forgotten that the Scriptures say to God's children, “When the Lord punishes you, don't make light of it, and when he corrects you, don't be discouraged.Select Hebrews 12:5

6The Lord corrects the people he loves and disciplines those he calls his own.”Select Hebrews 12:6

7Be patient when you are being corrected! This is how God treats his children. Don't all parents correct their children?Select Hebrews 12:7

8God corrects all his children, and if he doesn't correct you, then you don't really belong to him.Select Hebrews 12:8

9Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn't it even better to be given true life by letting our spiritual Father correct us?Select Hebrews 12:9

10Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best. But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy, as he is.Select Hebrews 12:10

11It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace.Select Hebrews 12:11

12Now stand up straight! Stop your knees from shakingSelect Hebrews 12:12

13and walk a straight path. Then lame people will be healed, instead of getting worse.Select Hebrews 12:13

Warning against Turning from God

14Try to live at peace with everyone! Live a clean life. If you don't, you will never see the Lord.Select Hebrews 12:14

15Make sure no one misses out on God's wonderful kindness. Don't let anyone become bitter and cause trouble for the rest of you.Select Hebrews 12:15

16Watch out for immoral and ungodly people like Esau, who sold his future blessing for only one meal.Select Hebrews 12:16

17You know how he later wanted it back. But there was nothing he could do to change things, even though he begged his father and cried.Select Hebrews 12:17

18You have not come to a place like Mount Sinai that can be seen and touched. There is no flaming fire or dark cloud or stormSelect Hebrews 12:18

19or trumpet sound. The people of Israel heard a voice speak. But they begged it to stop,Select Hebrews 12:19

20because they could not obey its commands. They were even told to kill any animal that touched the mountain.Select Hebrews 12:20

21The sight was so frightening that Moses said he shook with fear.Select Hebrews 12:21

22You have now come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is the city of the living God, where thousands and thousands of angels have come to celebrate.Select Hebrews 12:22

23Here you will find all of God's dearest children, whose names are written in heaven. And you will find God himself, who judges everyone. Here also are the spirits of those good people who have been made perfect.Select Hebrews 12:23

24And Jesus is here! He is the one who makes God's new agreement with us, and his sprinkled blood says much better things than the blood of Abel.Select Hebrews 12:24

25Make sure you obey the one who speaks to you. The people did not escape, when they refused to obey the one who spoke to them at Mount Sinai. Do you think you can possibly escape, if you refuse to obey the one who speaks to you from heaven?Select Hebrews 12:25

26When God spoke the first time, his voice shook only the earth. This time he has promised to shake the earth once again, and heaven too.Select Hebrews 12:26

27The words “once again” mean that these created things will someday be shaken and removed. Then what cannot be shaken will last.Select Hebrews 12:27

28We should be grateful we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect.Select Hebrews 12:28

29Our God is like a destructive fire!Select Hebrews 12:29