Hebrews 12

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, a let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and b let us run c with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the 1 author and 2 finisher of our faith, d who for the joy that was set before Him e endured the cross, despising the shame, and f has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

3 g For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, h lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 i You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
j "My son, do not despise the 3 chastening of the LORD,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For k whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives." 4

7 l If 5 you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what m son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, n of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to o the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, p that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no 6 chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields q the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore r strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 s Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, t without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone u fall short of the grace of God; lest any v root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any w fornicator or 7 profane person like Esau, x who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was y rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

18 For you have not come 8 to z the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and 9 darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it a begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: b "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned 10 or shot with an arrow." 11 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, c "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling." 12 ) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the 13 general assembly and church of d the firstborn e who are registered in heaven, to God f the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men g made perfect, 24 to Jesus h the Mediator of the new covenant, and to i the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things j than that of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For k if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, l "Yet once more I 14 shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 15 27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the m removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we 16 may n serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For o our God is a consuming fire.

  1. Cross References
    Colossians 3:8
    But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:24
    Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
    Galatians 2:2
    And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
    Hebrews 10:39
    But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 12:12
    Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
  4. Cross References
    Luke 24:26
    "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 69:7
    Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face.
    Psalms 69:19
    You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; My adversaries are all before You.
    Philippians 2:8
    And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
    Hebrews 2:9
    But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
  6. Cross References
    Psalms 110:1
    The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 10:24
    A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
  8. Cross References
    Galatians 6:9
    And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
    Hebrews 12:5
    And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:13
    No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
  10. Cross References
    Job 5:17
    Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
    Proverbs 3:11
    My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction.
    Proverbs 3:12
    For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 94:12
    Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law.
    Revelation 3:19
    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
  12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 8:5
    You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.
    2 Samuel 7:14
    I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
  13. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:24
    He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
    Proverbs 19:18
    Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.
    Proverbs 23:13
    Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
  14. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:9
    Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
  15. Cross References
    Job 12:10
    In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
  16. Cross References
    Leviticus 11:44
    For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
  17. Cross References
    Isaiah 32:17
    The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
    2 Timothy 4:8
    Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
    James 3:17
    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
    James 3:18
    Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
  18. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:3
    Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 34:14
    Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
  20. Cross References
    Matthew 5:8
    Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
    Hebrews 9:28
    So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:1
    We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
    Galatians 5:4
    You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
    Hebrews 4:1
    Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
  22. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:18
    So that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:13 - 18
    Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
  24. Cross References
    Genesis 25:33
    Then Jacob said, "Swear to me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
  25. Cross References
    Genesis 27:30 - 40
    Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
  26. Cross References
    Exodus 19:12
    You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
    Exodus 19:16
    Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
    Exodus 20:18
    Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
    Deuteronomy 4:11
    Then you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the midst of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness.
    Deuteronomy 5:22
    These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.
  27. Cross References
    Exodus 20:18 - 26
    Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
    Deuteronomy 5:25
    Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall die.
    Deuteronomy 18:16
    "according to all you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, nor let me see this great fire anymore, lest I die.'
  28. Cross References
    Exodus 19:12
    You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
    Exodus 19:13
    'Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain."
  29. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 9:19
    For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which the LORD was angry with you, to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me at that time also.
  30. Cross References
    James 1:18
    Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
  31. Cross References
    Luke 10:20
    "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
  32. Cross References
    Genesis 18:25
    "Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
    Psalms 50:6
    Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah
    Psalms 94:2
    Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud.
  33. Cross References
    Philippians 3:12
    Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
  34. Cross References
    1 Timothy 2:5
    For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
    Hebrews 8:6
    But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
    Hebrews 9:15
    And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
  35. Cross References
    Exodus 24:8
    And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words.
  36. Cross References
    Genesis 4:10
    And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.
    Hebrews 11:4
    By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
  37. Cross References
    Hebrews 2:2
    For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward.
    Hebrews 2:3
    How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.
  38. Cross References
    Haggai 2:6
    For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land.
  39. Cross References
    Isaiah 34:4
    All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And ...
    Isaiah 54:10
    For the mountains shall depart And the hills be...
    Isaiah 65:17
    For behold, I create new heavens and a new eart...
    Romans 8:19
    For the earnest expectation of the creation eag...
    Romans 8:21
    Because the creation itself also will be delive...
    1 Corinthians 7:31
    And those who use this world as not misusing it...
    Hebrews 1:10
    And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foun...
  40. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:15
    Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
    Hebrews 13:21
    Make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
  41. Cross References
    Exodus 24:17
    The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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