Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, | 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. |
2keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne. | 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. |
3For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won't grow weary and lose heart. | 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. |
4In struggling 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 the Lord's discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, | 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. |
6for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. | 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” |
7Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? | 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? |
8But if you are without discipline--which all receive--then you are illegitimate children and not sons. | 8If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. |
9Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn't we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? | 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? |
10For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. | 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. |
11No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. | 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. |
12Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, | 12Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. |
13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead. | 13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. |
14Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness--without it no one will see the Lord. | 14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. |
15Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many. | 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. |
16And make sure that there isn't any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal. | 16See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. |
17For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn't find any opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears. | 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. |
18For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, | 18For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; |
19to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, | 19to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. |
20for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned! | 20For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” |
21The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling.) | 21The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” |
22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, | 22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels |
23to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, | 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, |
24to Jesus (mediator of a new covenant), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things 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. |
25Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. | 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? |
26His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also 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.” |
27This expression, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what is not shaken might remain. | 27The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain. |
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, | 28Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. |
29for our God is a consuming fire. | 29“For our God is a consuming fire.” |
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