要坚忍到底

12 因此,我们既然有这么一大群见证人,如同云彩围绕着我们,就让我们脱去各样的重担和容易缠累我们的罪,藉着忍耐去跑那摆在我们前面的赛程, 仰望信仰的创始者和成终者耶稣。他为了[a]那摆在他前面的喜乐,就轻看羞辱,忍受了十字架,如今坐在神宝座的右边。

为父的管教

其实,你们应当仔细地思想耶稣如何忍受了罪人的顶撞,这样你们心里[b]就不会因丧气而疲倦。 你们与罪争战,还没有抵抗到流血的地步。 难道你们已经忘记那安慰的话吗?就是他对你们如同对儿女那样讲论的话:

“我儿,你不可轻看主的管教;
被他责备的时候,也不可丧气。
因为主所爱的人,主都管教;
他所接纳的每一个儿子,他都鞭打。”[c]

对管教的事,你们要忍受;神对待你们,就像对待儿女那样。到底哪一个儿子不受父亲的管教呢? 大家都有份受管教;你们如果没有受管教,那么,你们就是私生子,不是儿子了。 再者,我们有肉身的父亲来管教我们,我们尚且敬重他们,何况对这位万灵之父,我们难道不更要服从他而活着吗? 10 肉身的父亲在短暂的日子里,固然照着自己的意思来管教我们;但万灵之父是为了我们的益处管教我们,好使我们在他的圣洁上有份。 11 不过所有的管教,当时虽然不觉得是愉快的事,反觉得是忧伤的事,而后来却为那些由此受到操练的人,结出平安和义行的果子。

12 因此,你们要把发软的手、发酸的腿伸直吧! 13 也要为你们的脚把道路修直[d],好使瘸腿的不至扭脚[e],反得痊愈。

警告弃绝神恩典的人

14 你们要追求与众人和睦,要追求圣洁。任何不圣洁的人,都不能见到主。 15 你们要谨慎,免得有人亏缺了神的恩典;免得有苦毒的根长起来搅扰你们,使许多人因此被污秽了; 16 又免得有淫乱的,或像以扫那样不敬神的。以扫为了[f]一点食物,就把自己长子的名份卖了; 17 你们知道,后来他想继承祝福,却被弃绝了,虽然他流着泪水寻求,还是找不到悔改的机会。

18 你们并不是来到了摸得着的山[g]、燃烧着的火、阴云、幽暗、风暴、 19 号角的响声和说话的声音面前——那些听见这声音的人,都恳求不要再向他们说话了, 20 因为他们担当不了那吩咐他们的话:“即使是野兽触摸这山,也要用石头砸死[h]。”[i] 21 那景象实在可怕,连摩西也说:“我非常害怕战兢。”[j] 22 相反,你们却是来到了锡安山、永生神的城、天上的耶路撒冷面前;来到了千万天使的盛会面前; 23 来到了长子们[k]的教会面前——他们的名字[l]已经登记在天上;来到了神面前——他是万人的审判者;来到了义人的灵魂面前——他们得以完全; 24 来到了耶稣面前——他是新约的中保;来到了所洒的血面前——这血比亚伯的血所述说的更美好。

25 你们要当心,不要拒绝向你们[m]说话的那一位。要知道,那些拒绝了在地上警告他们的,尚且无法逃脱惩罚[n],更何况我们背弃从天上警告我们的那一位呢! 26 那时候,他的声音震动了大地,但如今他应许说:“我不仅要再一次震动地,而且还要震动天。”[o] 27 “再一次”这句话表明了那些能够被震动的,就如被造之物,都要被挪去,好使那些不能被震动的可以存留。 28 因此,我们既然在领受一个不能被震动的国度,就让我们怀有感恩的心[p],藉此以虔诚和敬畏,照着神所喜悦的[q]来事奉他。 29 要知道,我们的神实在是吞噬的烈火。

Footnotes

  1. 希伯来书 12:2 为了——或译作“替换”。
  2. 希伯来书 12:3 心里——或译作“灵魂”。
  3. 希伯来书 12:6 《箴言》3:11-12。
  4. 希伯来书 12:13 修直——或译作“修平”。
  5. 希伯来书 12:13 扭脚——或译作“偏离”或“被人避开”。
  6. 希伯来书 12:16 为了——或译作“替换”。
  7. 希伯来书 12:18 有古抄本没有“山”。
  8. 希伯来书 12:20 有古抄本附“或被标枪刺穿”。
  9. 希伯来书 12:20 《出埃及记》19:12-13。
  10. 希伯来书 12:21 《申命记》9:19。
  11. 希伯来书 12:23 长子——原文直译“首生者”。
  12. 希伯来书 12:23 名字——辅助词语。
  13. 希伯来书 12:25 向你们——辅助词语。
  14. 希伯来书 12:25 惩罚——辅助词语。
  15. 希伯来书 12:26 《哈该书》2:6。
  16. 希伯来书 12:28 怀有感恩的心——或译作“持守恩典”。
  17. 希伯来书 12:28 照着神所喜悦的——或译作“按蒙喜悦的方式”。

The Call to Endurance

12 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses(A) surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance(B) the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus,[a] the source and perfecter[b] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[c] endured a cross and despised the shame(C) and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

Fatherly Discipline

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.(D) In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:

My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
or faint when you are reproved by Him,
for the Lord disciplines the one He loves
and punishes every son He receives.(E)[d]

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all[e] receive[f]—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.(F) Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?(G) 10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness.(H) 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace(I) and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.(J)

12 Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,(K) 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated[g] but healed instead.(L)

Warning against Rejecting God’s Grace

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness(M)—without it no one will see the Lord.(N) 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.(O) 16 And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent(P) person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal.(Q) 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.(R)

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!(S)[h] 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling.(T)[i]) 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,(U) 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written[j] in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,(V) 24 to Jesus (mediator(W) of a new covenant(X)), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.(Y)

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.(Z) 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.(AA)[k] 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken(AB)—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.[l] By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,(AC) 29 for our God is a consuming fire.(AD)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:2 Or us, looking to Jesus
  2. Hebrews 12:2 Or the founder and completer
  3. Hebrews 12:2 Or who instead of the joy lying before Him; that is, the joy of heaven
  4. Hebrews 12:6 Pr 3:11-12
  5. Hebrews 12:8 = Christians
  6. Hebrews 12:8 Lit discipline, of which all have become participants
  7. Hebrews 12:13 Or so that the lame will not be turned aside
  8. Hebrews 12:20 Ex 19:12
  9. Hebrews 12:21 Dt 9:19
  10. Hebrews 12:23 Or registered
  11. Hebrews 12:26 Hg 2:6
  12. Hebrews 12:28 Or let us give thanks, or let us have grace

The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, (A)let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and (B)let us run (C)with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, (D)who for the joy that was set before Him (E)endured the cross, despising the shame, and (F)has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Discipline of God(G)

(H)For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, (I)lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (J)You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

(K)“My son, do not despise the [c]chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For (L)whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

(M)If[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what (N)son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, (O)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to (P)the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, (Q)that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields (R)the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Renew Your Spiritual Vitality(S)

12 Therefore (T)strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

14 (U)Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, (V)without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone (W)fall short of the grace of God; lest any (X)root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any (Y)fornicator or [f]profane person like Esau, (Z)who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was (AA)rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

The Glorious Company

18 For you have not come [g]to (AB)the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and [h]darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it (AC)begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: (AD)“And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned [i]or shot with an arrow.” 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, (AE)“I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the [j]general assembly and church of (AF)the firstborn (AG)who are registered in heaven, to God (AH)the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men (AI)made perfect, 24 to Jesus (AJ)the Mediator of the new covenant, and to (AK)the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things (AL)than that of Abel.

Hear the Heavenly Voice

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For (AM)if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, (AN)“Yet once more I [k]shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the (AO)removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we [l]may (AP)serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For (AQ)our God is a consuming fire.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:2 originator
  2. Hebrews 12:2 perfecter
  3. Hebrews 12:5 discipline
  4. Hebrews 12:7 NU, M It is for discipline that you endure; God
  5. Hebrews 12:11 discipline
  6. Hebrews 12:16 godless
  7. Hebrews 12:18 NU to that which
  8. Hebrews 12:18 NU gloom
  9. Hebrews 12:20 NU, M omit the rest of v. 20.
  10. Hebrews 12:23 festal gathering
  11. Hebrews 12:26 NU will shake
  12. Hebrews 12:28 M omits may

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run(A) with perseverance(B) the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,(C) the pioneer(D) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,(E) scorning its shame,(F) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(G) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary(H) and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.(I) 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(J) when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,(K)
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a](L)

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.(M) For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline(N)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 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(O) and live!(P) 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.(Q) 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace(R) for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.(S) 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b](T) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.(U)

Warning and Encouragement

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone(V) and to be holy;(W) without holiness no one will see the Lord.(X) 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God(Y) and that no bitter root(Z) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral,(AA) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.(AB) 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,(AC) he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;(AD) 19 to a trumpet blast(AE) or to such a voice speaking words(AF) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,(AG) 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[c](AH) 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[d](AI)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion,(AJ) to the city(AK) of the living God,(AL) the heavenly Jerusalem.(AM) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn,(AN) whose names are written in heaven.(AO) You have come to God, the Judge of all,(AP) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,(AQ) 24 to Jesus the mediator(AR) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood(AS) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.(AT)

25 See to it that you do not refuse(AU) him who speaks.(AV) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned(AW) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?(AX) 26 At that time his voice shook the earth,(AY) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[e](AZ) 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken(BA)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,(BB) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,(BC) 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”[f](BD)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  2. Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26
  3. Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
  4. Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
  5. Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
  6. Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24