Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of ¹witnesses who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness, ^astripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us ^brun with ^cendurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 2 looking away from all that will distract us and focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the ^aAuthor and Perfecter of faith the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity, who for the joy of accomplishing the goal set before Him ^bendured the cross, ^1cdisregarding the shame, and ^dsat down at the right hand of the throne of God revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work. Ps 110:1

3 Just ^aconsider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself consider it all in comparison with your trials, so that you will not grow weary ^band lose heart.

4 ^aYou have not yet struggled ^bto the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have ¹forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons,“^aMY SON, DO NOT MAKE LIGHT OF THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,AND DO NOT ^bLOSE HEART and GIVE UP WHEN YOU ARE CORRECTED BY HIM;

7 You must submit to correction for the purpose of discipline; ^aGod is dealing with you as with sons; for ¹what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, ^ain which all of God’s children share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons at all. 9 Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we ^asubmitted and respected them for training us; shall we not much more willingly submit to ^bthe Father of ¹spirits, and ^clive by learning from His discipline? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, ^aso that we may share His holiness. 11 ^aFor the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the ^bpeaceful fruit of righteousness right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose.

12 So then, ^astrengthen hands that are weak and knees that tremble. Is 35:3 13 Cut through and ^amake smooth, straight paths for your feet that are safe and go in the right direction, so that the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather may ^bbe healed.

14 ^aContinually pursue peace with everyone, and the ^bsanctification without which no one will ever ^csee the Lord. 15 See to it that no one ^afalls short of God’s grace; that no ^broot of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be ^cdefiled; 16 and see to it that no one is ^aimmoral or ^bgodless like Esau, ^cwho sold his own birthright for a single meal. Gen 25:29-34 17 For you know that later on, ^awhen he wanted to regain title to his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance there was no way to repair what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made, even though he sought for it with bitter tears. Gen 27:30-40

18 ^aFor you have not come as did the Israelites in the wilderness to ^ba mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to gloom and darkness and a raging windstorm, 19 and to the ^ablast of a trumpet and a ^bsound of words such that those who heard it ^cbegged that nothing more be said to them. Ex 19:12-22; 20:18-21; Deut 4:11, 12; 5:22-27 20 For they could not bear the command, “^aIF EVEN A WILD ANIMAL TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED to death.” Ex 19:12, 13 21 In fact, so terrifying was the sight, that Moses said, “^aI AM FILLED WITH FEAR and trembling.” Deut 9:19 22 But ^ayou have come to Mount Zion and to ^bthe city of ^cthe living God, ^dthe heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^emyriads of angels in festive gathering, 23 and to the general assembly and ^aassembly of the firstborn who ^bare registered as citizens in heaven, and to God, who is ^cJudge of all, and to the ^dspirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect bringing them to their final glory, 24 and to Jesus, the ^aMediator of a new covenant uniting God and man, and to the ^bsprinkled blood, which speaks of mercy, a better and nobler and more gracious message than ^cthe blood of Abel which cried out for vengeance. Gen 4:10

25 ^aSee to it that you do not refuse to listen to Him who is ^bspeaking to you now. For ^cif those sons of Israel did not escape when they ^drefused to listen to him who ^ewarned them on earth revealing God’s will, how much less will we escape if we turn our backs on Him who ^fwarns from heaven? Heb 2:1-4 26 ^aHis voice shook the earth at Mount Sinai then, but now He has given a promise, saying, “^bYET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE starry HEAVEN.” Hag 2:6 27 Now this expression, “Yet once more,” indicates ^athe removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Ps 102:26 28 Therefore, since we receive a ^akingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and ^boffer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for ^aour God is indeed a consuming fire. Deut 4:24

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also ^alay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us ^brun with ^cendurance the race that is set before us, 2 ¹fixing our eyes on Jesus, the ^2aauthor and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him ^bendured the cross, ^cdespising the shame, and has ^dsat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For ^aconsider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^1band lose heart.

4 ^aYou have not yet resisted ^1bto the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,“^aMY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,NOR ^bFAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;

7 It is for discipline that you endure; ^aGod deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, ^aof which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had ¹earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^arespected them; shall we not much rather be subject to ^bthe Father of ²spirits, and ^clive? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^aso that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline ^afor the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the ^bpeaceful fruit of righteousness.

12 Therefore, ^1astrengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and ^amake straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather ^bbe healed.

14 ^aPursue peace with all men, and the ^bsanctification without which no one will ^csee the Lord. 15 See to it that no one ^acomes short of the grace of God; that no ^broot of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be ^cdefiled; 16 that there be no ^aimmoral or ^bgodless person like Esau, ^cwho sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, ^awhen he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

18 ^aFor you have not come to ^ba mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the ^ablast of a trumpet and the ^bsound of words which sound was such that those who heard ^cbegged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “^aIF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^aI AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling.” 22 But ^ayou have come to Mount Zion and to ^bthe city of ^cthe living God, ^dthe heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^emyriads of ¹angels, 23 to the general assembly and ^achurch of the firstborn who ^bare enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^cthe Judge of all, and to the ^dspirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the ^amediator of a new covenant, and to the ^bsprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^cthe blood of Abel.

25 ^aSee to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^bspeaking. For ^cif those did not escape when they ^drefused him who ^ewarned them on earth, ¹much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^fwarns from heaven. 26 And ^aHis voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^bYET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^athe removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a ^akingdom which cannot be shaken, let us ¹show gratitude, by which we may ^boffer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for ^aour God is a consuming fire.

Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s ^arid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s ^brun with ^cendurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking only at Jesus, the ^1aoriginator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^bendured the cross, ^cdespising the shame, and has ^dsat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For ^aconsider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^1band lose heart.

4 ^aYou have not yet resisted ^1bto the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,“^aMY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,NOR ^bFAINT WHEN YOU ARE PUNISHED BY HIM;

7 It is for discipline that you endure; ^aGod deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, ^aof which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had ¹earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^arespected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^bthe Father of ²spirits, and ^clive? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^aso that we may share His holiness. 11 ^aFor the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the ^bpeaceful fruit of righteousness.

12 Therefore, ^1astrengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and ^amake straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather ^bbe healed.

14 ^aPursue peace with all people, and the ^bholiness without which no one will ^csee the Lord. 15 See to it that no one ^acomes short of the grace of God; that no ^broot of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^cdefiled; 16 that there be no ^asexually immoral or ^bgodless person like Esau, ^cwho sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterward, ^awhen he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

18 ^aFor you have not come to ^ba mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the ^ablast of a trumpet and the ^bsound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^cbegged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not ¹cope with the command, “^aIf even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “^aI am terrified and trembling.” 22 But ^ayou have come to Mount Zion and to ^bthe city of ^cthe living God, ^dthe heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^emyriads of ¹angels, 23 to the general assembly and ^achurch of the firstborn who ^bare enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^cthe Judge of all, and to the ^dspirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the ^amediator of a new covenant, and to the ^bsprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^cthe blood of Abel.

25 ^aSee to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^bspeaking. For ^cif those did not escape when they ^drefused him who ^ewarned them on earth, ¹much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^fwarns us from heaven. 26 And ^aHis voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^bYET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes ^athe removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a ^akingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s ¹show gratitude, by which we may ^boffer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for ^aour God is a consuming fire.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, ^alaying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us ^brun with ^cendurance the race that is set before us, 2 ¹fixing our eyes on Jesus, the ^2aauthor and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him ^bendured the cross, ^cdespising the shame, and has ^dsat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For ^aconsider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, ^bfainting ¹in heart.

4 ^aYou have not yet resisted ^1bto the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,“^aMY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE ¹LORD,NOR ^bFAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;

7 It is for discipline that you endure; ^aGod deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, ^aof which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we ¹had ²earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^arespected them. Shall we not much rather be subject to ^bthe Father of ³spirits, and ^clive? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our benefit, ^aso that we may share His holiness. 11 And all discipline ^afor the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, but to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the ^bpeaceful fruit of righteousness.

12 Therefore, ^1aSTRENGTHEN THE HANDS THAT ARE WEAK AND THE KNEES THAT ARE FEEBLE, 13 and ^amake straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather ^bbe healed.

14 ^aPursue peace with all men, and the ^bsanctification without which no one will ^csee the Lord, 15 seeing to it that no one ^afalls short of the grace of God; that no ^bROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP CAUSES TROUBLE, and by it many be ^cdefiled; 16 that also there be no ^asexually immoral or ^bgodless person like Esau, ^cwho sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, ^awhen he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

18 ^aFor you have not come to ^ba mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the ^ablast of a trumpet and the ^bsound of words which was such that those who heard ^cbegged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear what was being commanded, “^aIF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED.” 21 And so terrible was what appeared, that Moses said, “^aI AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling.” 22 But ^ayou have come to Mount Zion and to ^bthe city of ^cthe living God, ^dthe heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^emyriads of ¹angels, 23 to the festal gathering and ^aassembly of the firstborn who ^bare enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^cthe Judge of all, and to the ^dspirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the ^amediator of a new covenant, and to the ^bsprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^cthe blood of Abel.

25 ^aSee to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^bspeaking. For ^cif those did not escape when they ^drefused him who ^ewarned them on earth, ¹much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^fwarns from heaven. 26 And ^aHis voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “^bYET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 27 Now this expression, “Yet once more,” indicates ^athe removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a ^akingdom which cannot be shaken, let us ¹show gratitude, by which we may ^boffer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for ^aOUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.