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 receive[a]—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.(A) Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?(B) 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.(C) 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit(D) of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.(E)

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

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Footnotes

  1. 12:8 Lit discipline, of which all have become participants
  2. 12:13 Or so that the lame will not be turned aside

Endure it for discipline. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, in which all legitimate sons[a] have become participants, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had our earthly fathers[b] who disciplined us, and we respected them. Will we not much rather subject ourselves to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed appropriate to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we can have a share in his holiness. 11 Now all discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it.

A Serious Warning Against Refusing God

12 Therefore strengthen your slackened hands and your weakened knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:8 The phrase “legitimate sons” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  2. Hebrews 12:9 Literally “the flesh of our fathers”

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26