Hebrews 12:4-17

Christian Standard Bible

⁴ In struggling 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:

⁷ Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline—which all receive^[b]—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.^{(B) 9} Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?^{(C) 10} For 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.^{(D) 11} No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit^(E) of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.^(F)

¹² Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,^{(G) 13} and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated^[c] but healed instead.^(H)

Warning against Rejecting God’s Grace

¹⁴ Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness^(I)—without it no one will see the Lord.^{(J) 15} Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.^{(K) 16} And make sure that there isn’t any immoral^[d] or irreverent^(L) person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal.^{(M) 17} For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.^(N)