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Hebrews 12:5-16
New Living Translation
Hebrews 12:5-16
New Living Translation
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?[a] He said,
“My child,[b] 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.”[c]
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?[d]
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.
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Hebrews 12:5-16
New International Version
Hebrews 12:5-16
New International Version
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart(A) when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,(B)
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a](C)
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.(D) For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline(E)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 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 spirits(F) and live!(G) 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.(H) 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace(I) for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.(J) 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b](K) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.(L)
Warning and Encouragement
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone(M) and to be holy;(N) without holiness no one will see the Lord.(O) 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God(P) and that no bitter root(Q) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral,(R) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.(S)
Footnotes
- Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
- Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.