Heb.12.1

Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

Heb.12.1

Therefore, 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.

Heb.12.1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Heb.12.1

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 hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

Heb.12.2

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

Heb.12.2

Let 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.

Heb.12.2

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb.12.2

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.

Heb.12.3

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Heb.12.3

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Heb.12.3

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Heb.12.3

Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up.

Heb.12.4

In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through--all that bloodshed!

Heb.12.4

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Heb.12.4

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Heb.12.4

After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Heb.12.5

So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either.

Heb.12.5

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

Heb.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;

Heb.12.5

And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you.

Heb.12.6

It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.

Heb.12.6

because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Heb.12.6

For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

Heb.12.6

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children."

Heb.12.7

God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training,

Heb.12.7

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Heb.12.7

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Heb.12.7

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?

Heb.12.8

the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?

Heb.12.8

If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Heb.12.8

But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Heb.12.8

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 after all.

Heb.12.9

We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live?

Heb.12.9

Moreover, 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 our spirits and live!

Heb.12.9

Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

Heb.12.9

Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever?

Heb.12.10

While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best.

Heb.12.10

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

Heb.12.10

For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

Heb.12.10

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness.

Heb.12.11

At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

Heb.12.11

No 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.

Heb.12.11

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Heb.12.11

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Heb.12.12

So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet!

Heb.12.12

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

Heb.12.12

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

Heb.12.12

So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs.

Heb.12.13

Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!

Heb.12.13

"Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Heb.12.13

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Heb.12.13

Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.