Hebrews 12:1-13

International Standard Version

We Must Look Off to Jesus

12 Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, and throwing off everything that hinders us and especially the sin that so easily entangles^[a] us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us, ² fixing our attention on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of^[b] the joy set before him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Father Disciplines Us

³ Think about the one who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you may not become tired and give up. ⁴ In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your^[c] blood. ⁵ You have forgotten the encouragement that is addressed to you as sons:

⁷ What you endure disciplines you: God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ Now if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not God’s^[h] sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. We should submit even more to the Father of our spirits and live, shouldn’t we? ¹⁰ For a short time they disciplined us as they thought best, but God^[i] does it for our good, so that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.

Live as God’s People

¹² Therefore, strengthen your tired arms and your weak knees, ¹³ and straighten the paths of your life,^[j] so that your lameness may not become worse, but instead may be healed.