⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

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) 17} Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,^(T) he could not change what he had done.