Hebrews 12:12-13:25

Holman Christian Standard Bible

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

Warning against Rejecting God’s Grace

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

¹⁸ For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, ¹⁹ to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, ²⁰ for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned!^{(I)[b] 21} The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling.^(J)[c]) ²² Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering,^{(K) 23} to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written^[d] in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,^{(L) 24} to Jesus (mediator^(M) of a new covenant^(N)), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.^(O)

²⁵ Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.^{(P) 26} His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.^{(Q)[e] 27} This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken^(R)—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace.^[f] By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,^{(S) 29} for our God is a consuming fire.^(T)

Final Exhortations

13 Let brotherly love^(U) continue. ² Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.^{(V) 3} Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.^{[g] 4} Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.^{(W) 5} Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.^{(X)[h] 6} Therefore, we may boldly say:

⁷ Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.^{(Z) 8} Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.^{(AA) 9} Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, since those involved in them have not benefited.^{(AB) 10} We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat.^{(AC) 11} For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest^(AD) as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.^{(AE) 12} Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate,^(AF) so that He might sanctify^[j] the people by His own blood. ¹³ Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace.^{(AG) 14} For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.^{(AH) 15} Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.^{(AI) 16} Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.^{(AJ) 17} Obey your leaders^[k] and submit to them, for they keep watch^(AK) over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. ¹⁸ Pray for us; for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.^{(AL) 19} And I especially urge you to pray^[l] that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Farewell

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep^(AM)—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,^{(AN) 21} equip^[m] you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever.^[n](AO) Amen.

²² Brothers, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. ²³ Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. ²⁴ Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you. ²⁵ Grace be with all of you.^(AP)