Daniel’s Prayer for His People

In the first year of (A)Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to (B)Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, (C)seventy years. So I gave my [a]attention to the Lord God, to seek Him by prayer and pleading, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed, and said, “Oh, Lord, the (D)great and awesome God, who (E)keeps His covenant and faithfulness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, (F)we have sinned, we have done wrong, and [b]acted wickedly and (G)rebelled, even (H)turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. Moreover, we have not (I)listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our leaders, our fathers, and all the people of the land.

(J)Righteousness belongs to You, Lord, but to us [c](K)open shame, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far away in (L)all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against You. [d]Open shame belongs to us, Lord, to our kings, our leaders, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong (M)compassion and forgiveness, [e]because we have (N)rebelled against Him; 10 and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His [f]teachings which He (O)set before us through His servants the prophets. 11 Indeed, (P)all Israel has violated Your Law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the (Q)curse has gushed forth on us, along with the oath which is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him. 12 So He has (R)confirmed His words which He had spoken against us and against our [g](S)rulers who ruled us, to bring on us great disaster; for under the entire heaven there has (T)not been done anything like what was done in Jerusalem. 13 Just as it is written in the (U)Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us; yet we have (V)not [h]sought the favor of the Lord our God by (W)turning from our wrongdoing and [i]giving attention to Your truth. 14 So the Lord has [j](X)kept the disaster in store and brought it on us; for the Lord our God is (Y)righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His voice.

15 “And now, Lord, our God, You who (Z)brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and (AA)made a name for Yourself, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have been wicked. 16 Lord, in accordance with all Your [k]righteous acts, let now Your (AB)anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your (AC)holy mountain; for because of our sins and the wrongdoings of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become an (AD)object of taunting to all those around us. 17 So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his pleas, and for [l]Your sake, Lord, (AE)let Your face shine on Your (AF)desolate sanctuary. 18 My God, (AG)incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and (AH)see our desolations and the city which is (AI)called by Your name; for we are not [m](AJ)presenting our pleas before You based on [n]any merits of our own, but based on Your great compassion. 19 Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, my God, (AK)do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

Gabriel Brings an Answer

20 While I was still (AL)speaking and praying, and (AM)confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and [o]presenting my plea before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, 21 while I was still speaking in prayer, the man (AN)Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision [p]previously, [q]came to me [r]in my extreme weariness about the time of the (AO)evening offering. 22 And he instructed me and talked with me and said, “Daniel, I have come now to give you insight with (AP)understanding. 23 At the (AQ)beginning of your pleas the [s]command was issued, and I have come to tell you, because you are [t](AR)highly esteemed; so pay attention to the message and gain (AS)understanding of the vision.

Seventy Weeks and the Messiah

24 “Seventy [u](AT)weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to [v]finish the wrongdoing, to [w]make an end of sin, to (AU)make atonement for guilt, to bring in (AV)everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and [x]prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25 So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a [y](AW)decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until [z](AX)Messiah the (AY)Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with [aa]streets and moat, even in times of distress. 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks, the [ab]Messiah will be (AZ)cut off and have [ac]nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will (BA)destroy the city and the sanctuary. And [ad]its end will come with a (BB)flood; even to the end [ae]there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of [af](BC)abominations will come the one who [ag]makes desolate, until a (BD)complete destruction, one that is [ah]decreed, gushes forth on the one who [ai]makes desolate.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 9:3 Lit face
  2. Daniel 9:5 Or made ourselves guilty
  3. Daniel 9:7 Lit the shame of face
  4. Daniel 9:8 Lit The shame of face
  5. Daniel 9:9 Or though
  6. Daniel 9:10 Or laws
  7. Daniel 9:12 Lit judges who judged us
  8. Daniel 9:13 Lit softened the face of
  9. Daniel 9:13 Or having insight into
  10. Daniel 9:14 Lit watched over the evil
  11. Daniel 9:16 Lit righteousnesses
  12. Daniel 9:17 Lit the sake of the Lord
  13. Daniel 9:18 Lit casting down
  14. Daniel 9:18 Lit our righteousnesses
  15. Daniel 9:20 Lit casting down
  16. Daniel 9:21 Lit at the beginning
  17. Daniel 9:21 Lit was reaching; or touching
  18. Daniel 9:21 Or in swift flight
  19. Daniel 9:23 Lit word went out
  20. Daniel 9:23 Lit desirable; or precious
  21. Daniel 9:24 Or units of seven, and so throughout the ch
  22. Daniel 9:24 Or bring to an end
  23. Daniel 9:24 Another reading is seal up sins
  24. Daniel 9:24 Lit prophet
  25. Daniel 9:25 Lit word
  26. Daniel 9:25 Or an anointed one
  27. Daniel 9:25 Or city square
  28. Daniel 9:26 Or anointed one
  29. Daniel 9:26 Or no one
  30. Daniel 9:26 Or his
  31. Daniel 9:26 Or war will be decreed for desolations
  32. Daniel 9:27 Or detestable things
  33. Daniel 9:27 Or causes horror
  34. Daniel 9:27 Or determined
  35. Daniel 9:27 Or causes horror

Daniel’s Prayer

In the first year of Darius(A) son of Xerxes[a](B) (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian[b] kingdom— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy(C) years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting,(D) and in sackcloth and ashes.(E)

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:(F)

“Lord, the great and awesome God,(G) who keeps his covenant of love(H) with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned(I) and done wrong.(J) We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away(K) from your commands and laws.(L) We have not listened(M) to your servants the prophets,(N) who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors,(O) and to all the people of the land.

“Lord, you are righteous,(P) but this day we are covered with shame(Q)—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered(R) us because of our unfaithfulness(S) to you.(T) We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.(U) The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving,(V) even though we have rebelled against him;(W) 10 we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.(X) 11 All Israel has transgressed(Y) your law(Z) and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses(AA) and sworn judgments(AB) written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned(AC) against you. 12 You have fulfilled(AD) the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster.(AE) Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like(AF) what has been done to Jerusalem.(AG) 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord(AH) our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.(AI) 14 The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster(AJ) on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does;(AK) yet we have not obeyed him.(AL)

15 “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand(AM) and who made for yourself a name(AN) that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts,(AO) turn away(AP) your anger and your wrath(AQ) from Jerusalem,(AR) your city, your holy hill.(AS) Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn(AT) to all those around us.

17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor(AU) on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear,(AV) our God, and hear;(AW) open your eyes and see(AX) the desolation of the city that bears your Name.(AY) We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.(AZ) 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive!(BA) Lord, hear and act! For your sake,(BB) my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

The Seventy “Sevens”

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing(BC) my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill(BD) 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel,(BE) the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.(BF) 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.(BG) 23 As soon as you began to pray,(BH) a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.(BI) Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:(BJ)

24 “Seventy ‘sevens’[c] are decreed for your people and your holy city(BK) to finish[d] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone(BL) for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness,(BM) to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.[e]

25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild(BN) Jerusalem until the Anointed One,[f](BO) the ruler,(BP) comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.(BQ) 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death(BR) and will have nothing.[g] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood:(BS) War will continue until the end, and desolations(BT) have been decreed.(BU) 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’[h] In the middle of the ‘seven’[i] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[j] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed(BV) is poured out on him.[k][l]

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 9:1 Hebrew Ahasuerus
  2. Daniel 9:1 Or Chaldean
  3. Daniel 9:24 Or ‘weeks’; also in verses 25 and 26
  4. Daniel 9:24 Or restrain
  5. Daniel 9:24 Or the most holy One
  6. Daniel 9:25 Or an anointed one; also in verse 26
  7. Daniel 9:26 Or death and will have no one; or death, but not for himself
  8. Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
  9. Daniel 9:27 Or ‘week’
  10. Daniel 9:27 Septuagint and Theodotion; Hebrew wing
  11. Daniel 9:27 Or it
  12. Daniel 9:27 Or And one who causes desolation will come upon the wing of the abominable temple, until the end that is decreed is poured out on the desolated city

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the (A)certainty of things [a](B)hoped for, a [b]proof of (C)things not seen. For by it the (D)people of old [c](E)gained approval.

By faith we understand that the [d](F)world has been created (G)by the word of God so that what is seen (H)has not been made out of things that are visible. By faith (I)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was (J)attested to be righteous, God testifying [e]about his (K)gifts, and through [f]faith, though (L)he is dead, he still speaks. By faith (M)Enoch was taken up so that he would not (N)see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who (O)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. By faith (P)Noah, being (Q)warned by God about (R)things not yet seen, [g](S)in reverence (T)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of (U)the righteousness which is according to faith.

By faith (V)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [h]by going out to a place which he was to (W)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a stranger in (X)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, (Y)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, (Z)fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for (AA)the city which has (AB)foundations, (AC)whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even (AD)Sarah herself received [i]ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him (AE)faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore even from one man, and (AF)one who was as good as dead [j]at that, there were born descendants who were (AG)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

13 (AH)All these died in faith, (AI)without receiving the promises, but (AJ)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and (AK)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been [k]thinking of that country which they left, (AL)they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a (AM)heavenly one. Therefore (AN)God is not [l]ashamed to be (AO)called their God; for (AP)He has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith (AQ)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had (AR)received the promises was offering up his [m]only son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “(AS)Through Isaac your [n]descendants shall be named.” 19 [o]He considered that (AT)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back [p]as a [q](AU)type. 20 By faith (AV)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith (AW)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and (AX)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith (AY)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

23 By faith (AZ)Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the (BA)king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, (BB)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to (BC)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26 (BD)considering the [r]reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the (BE)reward. 27 By faith he (BF)left Egypt, not (BG)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though (BH)seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he [s](BI)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that (BJ)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they (BK)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were [t]drowned.

30 By faith (BL)the walls of Jericho fell down [u](BM)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute (BN)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies [v]in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of (BO)Gideon, (BP)Barak, (BQ)Samson, (BR)Jephthah, of (BS)David and (BT)Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith (BU)conquered kingdoms, (BV)performed acts of righteousness, (BW)obtained promises, (BX)shut the mouths of lions, 34 (BY)quenched the power of fire, (BZ)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, (CA)became mighty in war, (CB)put foreign armies to flight. 35 (CC)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their [w]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others [x]experienced mocking and flogging, and further, (CD)chains and imprisonment. 37 They were (CE)stoned, they were sawn in two, [y]they were tempted, they were (CF)put to death with the sword; they went about (CG)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, (CH)tormented 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), (CI)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes [z]in the ground.

39 And all these, having (CJ)gained approval through their faith, (CK)did not receive [aa]what was promised, 40 because God had [ab]provided (CL)something better for us, so that (CM)apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Jesus, the Example

12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s (CN)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s (CO)run with (CP)endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the [ac](CQ)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him (CR)endured the cross, (CS)despising the shame, and has (CT)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For (CU)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary [ad](CV)and lose heart.

A Father’s Discipline

(CW)You have not yet resisted [ae](CX)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

(CY)My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor (CZ)faint when you are punished by Him;
(DA)For (DB)whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He punishes every son whom He accepts.”

It is for discipline that you endure; (DC)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, (DD)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had [af]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we (DE)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to (DF)the Father of [ag]spirits, and (DG)live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, (DH)so that we may share His holiness. 11 (DI)For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the (DJ)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

12 Therefore, [ah](DK)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and (DL)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather (DM)be healed.

14 (DN)Pursue peace with all people, and the (DO)holiness without which no one will (DP)see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one (DQ)comes short of the grace of God; that no (DR)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become (DS)defiled; 16 that there be no (DT)sexually immoral or (DU)godless person like Esau, (DV)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterward, (DW)when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Contrast of Sinai and Zion

18 (DX)For you have not come to (DY)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the (DZ)blast of a trumpet and the (EA)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard (EB)begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not [ai]cope with the command, “(EC)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “(ED)I am terrified and trembling.” 22 But (EE)you have come to Mount Zion and to (EF)the city of (EG)the living God, (EH)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to (EI)myriads of [aj]angels, 23 to the general assembly and (EJ)church of the firstborn who (EK)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, (EL)the Judge of all, and to the (EM)spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the (EN)mediator of a new covenant, and to the (EO)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than (EP)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

25 (EQ)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is (ER)speaking. For (ES)if those did not escape when they (ET)refused him who (EU)warned them on earth, [ak]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who (EV)warns us from heaven. 26 And (EW)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “(EX)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes (EY)the 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 (EZ)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s [al]show gratitude, by which we may (FA)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for (FB)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

13 Let (FC)love of the brothers and sisters continue. Do not neglect (FD)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have (FE)entertained angels without knowing it. (FF)Remember (FG)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (FH)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; (FI)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Make sure that your character is (FJ)free from the love of money, (FK)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “(FL)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” so that we confidently say,

(FM)The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”

Remember (FN)those who led you, who spoke (FO)the word of God to you; and considering the [am]result of their way of life, (FP)imitate their faith. (FQ)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. (FR)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to (FS)be strengthened by grace, not by (FT)foods, (FU)through which those who [an]were so occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar (FV)from which those (FW)who serve the [ao]tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For (FX)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered (FY)outside the gate, (FZ)that He might sanctify the people (GA)through His own blood. 13 So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, (GB)bearing His reproach. 14 For here (GC)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking (GD)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

15 (GE)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a (GF)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, (GG)the fruit of lips praising His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and (GH)sharing, for (GI)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 (GJ)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for (GK)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not [ap]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

18 (GL)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a (GM)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, (GN)so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

Benediction

20 Now may (GO)the God of peace, who (GP)brought up from the dead the (GQ)great Shepherd of the sheep [aq]through (GR)the blood of the (GS)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 (GT)equip you in every good thing to do His will, (GU)working in us that (GV)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, (GW)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 But (GX)I urge you, (GY)brothers and sisters, [ar]listen patiently to [as]this (GZ)word of exhortation, for (HA)I have written to you briefly. 23 Know that (HB)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. 24 Greet (HC)all of your leaders and all the [at](HD)saints. Those from (HE)Italy greet you.

25 (HF)Grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:1 Or expected
  2. Hebrews 11:1 Or conviction about
  3. Hebrews 11:2 Lit obtained a good testimony
  4. Hebrews 11:3 Or worlds were; lit ages
  5. Hebrews 11:4 I.e., by receiving his gifts
  6. Hebrews 11:4 Lit it
  7. Hebrews 11:7 Or was reverent and prepared
  8. Hebrews 11:8 Lit to go out
  9. Hebrews 11:11 Lit power for the laying down of seed
  10. Hebrews 11:12 Lit in these things
  11. Hebrews 11:15 Or remembering
  12. Hebrews 11:16 Lit ashamed of them, to be
  13. Hebrews 11:17 I.e., only son with Sarah
  14. Hebrews 11:18 Lit seed
  15. Hebrews 11:19 Lit Considering
  16. Hebrews 11:19 Lit in
  17. Hebrews 11:19 I.e., of resurrection, figuratively, pointing to the future
  18. Hebrews 11:26 I.e., insults like those later suffered by Christ
  19. Hebrews 11:28 Lit has kept
  20. Hebrews 11:29 Lit swallowed up
  21. Hebrews 11:30 Lit after they had been encircled for
  22. Hebrews 11:31 Lit with
  23. Hebrews 11:35 Lit redemption
  24. Hebrews 11:36 Lit received the trial of
  25. Hebrews 11:37 One early ms does not contain they were tempted
  26. Hebrews 11:38 Lit of
  27. Hebrews 11:39 Lit the promise
  28. Hebrews 11:40 Or foreseen
  29. Hebrews 12:2 Or leader
  30. Hebrews 12:3 Lit fainting in your souls
  31. Hebrews 12:4 Lit as far as blood
  32. Hebrews 12:9 Lit fathers of our flesh
  33. Hebrews 12:9 Or our spirits
  34. Hebrews 12:12 Lit make straight
  35. Hebrews 12:20 Lit bear
  36. Hebrews 12:22 Or angels in festive gathering, and to the church
  37. Hebrews 12:25 Lit much rather we will not escape...
  38. Hebrews 12:28 Lit have
  39. Hebrews 13:7 Or end of their life
  40. Hebrews 13:9 Lit walked
  41. Hebrews 13:10 Or sacred tent
  42. Hebrews 13:17 Or sighing
  43. Hebrews 13:20 Lit in
  44. Hebrews 13:22 Or listen to
  45. Hebrews 13:22 Lit the
  46. Hebrews 13:24 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for(A) and assurance about what we do not see.(B) This is what the ancients were commended for.(C)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command,(D) so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended(E) as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.(F) And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.(G)

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a](H) For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him(I) must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,(J) in holy fear built an ark(K) to save his family.(L) By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.(M)

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,(N) obeyed and went,(O) even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land(P) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,(Q) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.(R) 10 For he was looking forward to the city(S) with foundations,(T) whose architect and builder is God.(U) 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,(V) was enabled to bear children(W) because she[b] considered him faithful(X) who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead,(Y) came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.(Z)

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised;(AA) they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance,(AB) admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.(AC) 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.(AD) 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.(AE) Therefore God is not ashamed(AF) to be called their God,(AG) for he has prepared a city(AH) for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.(AI) He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[c](AJ) 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead,(AK) and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.(AL)

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons,(AM) and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.(AN)

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born,(AO) because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.(AP)

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.(AQ) 25 He chose to be mistreated(AR) along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace(AS) for the sake of Christ(AT) as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.(AU) 27 By faith he left Egypt,(AV) not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer(AW) of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.(AX)

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.(AY)

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.(AZ)

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[d](BA)

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon,(BB) Barak,(BC) Samson(BD) and Jephthah,(BE) about David(BF) and Samuel(BG) and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms,(BH) administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,(BI) 34 quenched the fury of the flames,(BJ) and escaped the edge of the sword;(BK) whose weakness was turned to strength;(BL) and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.(BM) 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.(BN) There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging,(BO) and even chains and imprisonment.(BP) 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e](BQ) they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.(BR) They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,(BS) destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves(BT) and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended(BU) for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,(BV) 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us(BW) would they be made perfect.(BX)

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(BY) with perseverance(BZ) the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,(CA) the pioneer(CB) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,(CC) scorning its shame,(CD) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(CE) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary(CF) and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.(CG) 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(CH) when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,(CI)
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[f](CJ)

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.(CK) For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline(CL)—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(CM) and live!(CN) 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.(CO) 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace(CP) for those who have been trained by it.

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

Warning and Encouragement

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone(CT) and to be holy;(CU) without holiness no one will see the Lord.(CV) 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God(CW) and that no bitter root(CX) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral,(CY) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.(CZ) 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,(DA) 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;(DB) 19 to a trumpet blast(DC) or to such a voice speaking words(DD) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,(DE) 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[h](DF) 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[i](DG)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion,(DH) to the city(DI) of the living God,(DJ) the heavenly Jerusalem.(DK) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn,(DL) whose names are written in heaven.(DM) You have come to God, the Judge of all,(DN) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,(DO) 24 to Jesus the mediator(DP) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood(DQ) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.(DR)

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

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

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.(EC) Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,(ED) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.(EE) Continue to remember those in prison(EF) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Marriage should be honored by all,(EG) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.(EH) Keep your lives free from the love of money(EI) and be content with what you have,(EJ) because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[l](EK)

So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”[m](EL)

Remember your leaders,(EM) who spoke the word of God(EN) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate(EO) their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.(EP)

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.(EQ) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened(ER) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,(ES) which is of no benefit to those who do so.(ET) 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle(EU) have no right to eat.(EV)

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,(EW) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.(EX) 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate(EY) to make the people holy(EZ) through his own blood.(FA) 13 Let us, then, go to him(FB) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.(FC) 14 For here we do not have an enduring city,(FD) but we are looking for the city that is to come.(FE)

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice(FF) of praise—the fruit of lips(FG) that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others,(FH) for with such sacrifices(FI) God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders(FJ) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you(FK) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us.(FL) We are sure that we have a clear conscience(FM) and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.(FN)

Benediction and Final Greetings

20 Now may the God of peace,(FO) who through the blood of the eternal covenant(FP) brought back from the dead(FQ) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,(FR) 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will,(FS) and may he work in us(FT) what is pleasing to him,(FU) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(FV)

22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.(FW)

23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy(FX) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

24 Greet all your leaders(FY) and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy(FZ) send you their greetings.

25 Grace be with you all.(GA)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:5 Gen. 5:24
  2. Hebrews 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was too old to have children—and Sarah herself was not able to conceive—was enabled to become a father because he
  3. Hebrews 11:18 Gen. 21:12
  4. Hebrews 11:31 Or unbelieving
  5. Hebrews 11:37 Some early manuscripts stoning; they were put to the test;
  6. Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  7. Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26
  8. Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
  9. Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
  10. Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
  11. Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24
  12. Hebrews 13:5 Deut. 31:6
  13. Hebrews 13:6 Psalm 118:6,7

Vengeance Invoked upon Adversaries.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

109 (A)God of my praise,
(B)Do not be silent!
For they have opened a [a]wicked and (C)deceitful mouth against me;
They have spoken [b]against me with a (D)lying tongue.
They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
And have fought against me (E)without cause.
In return (F)for my love they act as my accusers;
But (G)I am in prayer.
So they have [c](H)repaid me evil for good,
And (I)hatred for my love.

Appoint a wicked person over him,
And may an [d](J)accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is judged, may he (K)come out guilty,
And may his (L)prayer become sin.
May (M)his days be few;
May (N)another take his office.
May his (O)children be fatherless,
And his (P)wife a widow.
10 May his (Q)children wander about and beg;
And may they (R)seek sustenance [e]far from their ruined homes.
11 May (S)the creditor [f]seize everything that he has,
And may (T)strangers plunder the product of his labor.
12 May there be none to [g](U)extend kindness to him,
Nor (V)any to be gracious to his fatherless children.
13 May his (W)descendants be [h]eliminated;
May their (X)name be wiped out in a following generation.

14 May (Y)the guilt of his fathers be remembered [i]before the Lord,
And do not let the sin of his mother be (Z)wiped out.
15 May (AA)they be before the Lord continually,
So that He may (AB)eliminate their memory from the earth;
16 Because he did not remember to show mercy,
But persecuted the (AC)afflicted and needy person,
And the (AD)despondent in heart, to (AE)put them to death.
17 He also loved cursing, so (AF)it came to him;
And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.
18 But he (AG)clothed himself with cursing as with his garment,
And it (AH)entered [j]his body like water,
And like oil into his bones.
19 May it be to him as (AI)a garment with which he covers himself,
And as a belt which he constantly (AJ)wears around himself.
20 May this be the (AK)reward of my accusers from the Lord,
And of those who (AL)speak evil against my soul.

21 But You, [k]God, the Lord, deal kindly with me (AM)for the sake of Your name;
Because (AN)Your mercy is good, rescue me;
22 For (AO)I am afflicted and needy,
And [l]my heart is (AP)wounded within me.
23 I am passing (AQ)like a shadow when it lengthens;
I am shaken off (AR)like the locust.
24 My (AS)knees [m]are weak from (AT)fasting,
And my flesh has grown lean, without fatness.
25 I also have become a (AU)disgrace to them;
When they see me, they (AV)shake their head.

26 (AW)Help me, Lord my God;
Save me according to Your mercy.
27 [n]And may they (AX)know that this is Your hand;
You, Lord, have done it.
28 (AY)They will curse, but You bless;
When they arise, they will be ashamed,
But Your (AZ)servant will be glad.
29 [o]May (BA)my accusers be clothed with dishonor,
And [p]may they (BB)cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.

30 With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord;
And (BC)I will praise Him in the midst of many.
31 For He stands (BD)at the right hand of the needy,
To save him from those who (BE)judge his soul.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 109:2 Lit wicked mouth and the deceitful
  2. Psalm 109:2 Lit with
  3. Psalm 109:5 Lit laid upon me
  4. Psalm 109:6 Or adversary, Satan
  5. Psalm 109:10 Or out of their desolate places
  6. Psalm 109:11 Lit ensnare, strike at
  7. Psalm 109:12 Lit continue
  8. Psalm 109:13 Lit for cutting off
  9. Psalm 109:14 Lit to
  10. Psalm 109:18 Lit his inward parts
  11. Psalm 109:21 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord
  12. Psalm 109:22 Lit one has pierced my heart within me
  13. Psalm 109:24 Or totter
  14. Psalm 109:27 Or That they may know
  15. Psalm 109:29 Or My accusers will be
  16. Psalm 109:29 Or they will cover

Psalm 109

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

My God, whom I praise,(A)
    do not remain silent,(B)
for people who are wicked and deceitful(C)
    have opened their mouths against me;
    they have spoken against me with lying tongues.(D)
With words of hatred(E) they surround me;
    they attack me without cause.(F)
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
    but I am a man of prayer.(G)
They repay me evil for good,(H)
    and hatred for my friendship.

Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;
    let an accuser(I) stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him be found guilty,(J)
    and may his prayers condemn(K) him.
May his days be few;(L)
    may another take his place(M) of leadership.
May his children be fatherless
    and his wife a widow.(N)
10 May his children be wandering beggars;(O)
    may they be driven[a] from their ruined homes.
11 May a creditor(P) seize all he has;
    may strangers plunder(Q) the fruits of his labor.(R)
12 May no one extend kindness to him
    or take pity(S) on his fatherless children.
13 May his descendants be cut off,(T)
    their names blotted out(U) from the next generation.
14 May the iniquity of his fathers(V) be remembered before the Lord;
    may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
15 May their sins always remain before(W) the Lord,
    that he may blot out their name(X) from the earth.

16 For he never thought of doing a kindness,
    but hounded to death the poor
    and the needy(Y) and the brokenhearted.(Z)
17 He loved to pronounce a curse—
    may it come back on him.(AA)
He found no pleasure in blessing—
    may it be far from him.
18 He wore cursing(AB) as his garment;
    it entered into his body like water,(AC)
    into his bones like oil.
19 May it be like a cloak wrapped(AD) about him,
    like a belt tied forever around him.
20 May this be the Lord’s payment(AE) to my accusers,
    to those who speak evil(AF) of me.

21 But you, Sovereign Lord,
    help me for your name’s sake;(AG)
    out of the goodness of your love,(AH) deliver me.(AI)
22 For I am poor and needy,
    and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I fade away like an evening shadow;(AJ)
    I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees give(AK) way from fasting;(AL)
    my body is thin and gaunt.(AM)
25 I am an object of scorn(AN) to my accusers;
    when they see me, they shake their heads.(AO)

26 Help me,(AP) Lord my God;
    save me according to your unfailing love.
27 Let them know(AQ) that it is your hand,
    that you, Lord, have done it.
28 While they curse,(AR) may you bless;
    may those who attack me be put to shame,
    but may your servant rejoice.(AS)
29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace
    and wrapped in shame(AT) as in a cloak.

30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;
    in the great throng(AU) of worshipers I will praise him.
31 For he stands at the right hand(AV) of the needy,
    to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 109:10 Septuagint; Hebrew sought

A fool [a]rejects his father’s discipline,
But he who complies with rebuke is sensible.
Great wealth is in the house of the (A)righteous,
But trouble is in the income of the wicked.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:5 Or despises

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(A)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(B)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(C)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(D)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

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