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After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

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.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”[c]

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? 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. 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 12:5a Greek sons; also in 12:7, 8.
  2. 12:5b Greek son; also in 12:6, 7.
  3. 12:5-6 Prov 3:11-12 (Greek version).
  4. 12:9 Or and really live?

God Disciplines His Children

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

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

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)