Hebrews 12 New Living Translation (NLT)
God’s Discipline Proves His Love
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?[d] He said,
“My child,[e] don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”[f]
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?[g]
10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
A Call to Listen to God
14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
18 You have not come to a physical mountain,[h] to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[i] 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”[j]
22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”[k] 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.
Footnotes:
12:2a Or Jesus, the originator and perfecter of our faith.
12:2b Or Instead of the joy.
12:3 Some manuscripts read Think of how people hurt themselves by opposing him.
12:5a Greek sons; also in 12:7, 8.
12:5b Greek son; also in 12:6, 7.
12:5-6 Prov 3:11-12 (Greek version).
12:9 Or and really live?
12:18 Greek to something that can be touched.
12:20 Exod 19:13.
12:21 Deut 9:19.
12:26 Hag 2:6.
Paul, I have a question. How do I get ppl close to me to listen to God ? They tell me to stop forcing God down their throats.
Da Man 52 unfortunately many are called but few are chosen. Not everyone will have their ‘eyes opened’. Many will actually harden their hearts when they hear Him calling they would much rather stay in Babylon because it’s ‘short term easier’ as it is said we are hated because of His Name we are mocked we are persecuted we are to be a peculiar people we are called all sorts of things. It is difficult and hurts the most when coming from family. The only thing you can do is remain patient and call on Him as He is our rock and pray that they will hear Him before it is too late.
Try getting The Way documentary and having a ‘family night’ one evening and pray He will open their eyes and they will not harden their hearts…..
Okay, thank you for those thoughts. I always appreciate help. God bless.
Da Man 52 The best way to do it is to live it. Let them see Jesus in you. You be the Bible that they never read. Then every once in a while when God opens a door plant a little seed then back off and allow God to water and give the increase. The biggest thing is, be Jesus with skin on. The easiest way to turn someone off is to act like the world and claim the name of Jesus. (i’m not saying you’re doing that, just a statement) They will use anything and any reason not to bow a knee to a holy God because God for bid they would have to change their lifestyle. But little do they know that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord and they do not realize when they surrender to him they don’t have to change, God changes them through his holy word. Praying for your brother
Ok. I never thought of doing it without words. That is perfect. Thank you & God bless.
It only makes sense that He carried what would be the ‘cross bar’ but was put on a tree and the other 2 with Him and the way it’s described (when the soldier came to break legs finding YAHUSHA dead) they describe Him as being ‘hung in the middle of them’ but when time came to break legs how else other than the 3 being hung ‘around the trunk of a tree’ as they then ‘came to Him last’. If they were ‘put up’ in a straight line as many shows/movies portray & ppl think it makes no sense as to the order as one would obviously be able to immediately tell He was already dead as the soldier would have had to walk past Him 2 times
Paul, thank you! I listen every morning.
HALLELUYAH
hey Paul, I have been having trouble figuring out what bible i should get. what do you recommend? i need help thank you brother
I started reading the bible Monday. I’m now at Exodus 28. Is that too fast? Thanks.