Hebrews 12 Therefore, 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.

VIN⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Therefore, 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. ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer 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. ³ Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. ⁶ For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he punishes every son he accepts." ⁷ Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ⁸ If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ⁹ Furthermore, 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? ¹⁰ Our 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. ¹¹ No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a peaceful harvest of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ¹² Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. ¹³ Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame will not be debilitated, but rather healed. ¹⁴ Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See that no one misses the grace of God; that no bitter root spring up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. ¹⁷ For 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. ¹⁸ For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; ¹⁹ to a trumpet blast and spoken words such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them ²⁰ (because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain it must be stoned!” ²¹ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." ²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the joyful assembly ²³ and to the church of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven; and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect; ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less shall we escape, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven." ²⁷ The words, “Once more,” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our God is a consuming fire.