| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. | 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, |
| 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. | 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. |
| 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. | 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. |
| 4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. | 4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. |
| 5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. | 5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, |
| 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” | 6because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." |
| 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? | 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? |
| 8If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. | 8If you are not disciplined--and everyone undergoes discipline--then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. |
| 9Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? | 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! |
| 10Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. | 10They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. |
| 11No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. | 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. |
| 12Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. | 12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. |
| 13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. | 13"Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. |
| 14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. | 14Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. |
| 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many. | 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. |
| 16See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. | 16See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. |
| 17For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears. | 17Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done. |
| 18For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; | 18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; |
| 19to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. | 19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, |
| 20For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” | 20because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." |
| 21The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” | 21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." |
| 22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels | 22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, |
| 23in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, | 23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, |
| 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. | 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. |
| 25See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven? | 25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? |
| 26At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” | 26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." |
| 27The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain. | 27The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. |
| 28Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. | 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, |
| 29“For our God is a consuming fire.” | 29for our "God is a consuming fire." |
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