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Hebrews 12
Wycliffe Bible
Hebrews 12
Wycliffe Bible
12 Therefore [and] we that have so great a cloud of witnesses put to [us], do we away all charge, and sin standing about us, and by patience run we to the battle purposed to us,
2 beholding into the maker of faith, and the perfect ender, Jesus; which when joy was purposed to him, he suffered the cross [suffered the cross], and despised confusion, and sitteth on the right half of the seat of God.
3 And bethink ye on him that suffered such gainsaying of sinful men against himself [Forsooth bethink ye on him that sustained such against-saying of sinful men against himself], that ye be not made weary, failing in your souls.
4 For ye against-stood not yet unto blood, fighting against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the comfort that speaketh to you as to sons, and saith, My son, do not thou despise the teaching of the Lord [saying, My son, do not thou despise the discipline of the Lord], neither be thou made weary, the while thou art chastised of him.
6 For the Lord chastiseth him that he loveth; he beateth every son that he receiveth.[a]
7 Abide ye still in chastising; God proffereth him(self) to you as to sons[b]. For what son is it, whom the father chastiseth not?
8 That if ye be out of chastising, whose partners be ye all made [That if ye be out of discipline, of which all be made partners], then ye be adulterers, and not sons.
9 And afterward we had fathers of our flesh, teachers, and we with reverence dreaded them. Whether not much more we shall obey to the Father of spirits, and we shall live?
10 And they [soothly] in time of few days taught us by their will; but this Father teacheth to that thing that is profitable [forsooth this Father to that thing that is profitable], in receiving the hallowing of him.
11 And each chastising in [this] present time seemeth to be not of joy, but of sorrow; but afterward it shall yield fruit of rightwiseness most peaceable to men exercised by it.
12 For which thing raise ye [up] slow hands, and knees unbound,
13 and make ye rightful steps to your feet [and make rightful goings, or steps, to your feet]; that no man halting err, but more be healed.
14 Follow ye peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God.
15 Behold ye, that no man fail to the grace of God [Beholding that no man fail to the grace of God], that no root of bitterness burrowing upward hinder [us], and many be defouled by it [and by it be many men defouled];
16 that no man be lecher, either unholy, as Esau, which for one meat sold his first things.[c]
17 For know ye, that afterward he coveting to inherit blessing, was reproved. For he found not place of penance, though he sought it with tears.
18 But ye have not come [Forsooth ye have not come] to the fire able to be touched, and able to come to, and to the whirlwind, and mist, and tempest,
19 and sound of trumpet [and sound of the trump], and voice of words; which they that heard, excused them(selves), that the word should not be made to them.
20 For they bare not that that was said, And if a beast touched the hill, it was stoned [it shall be stoned].
21 And so dreadful it was that was seen, that Moses said, I am afeared, and full of trembling.
22 But ye have come nigh to the hill Sion, and to the city of God living [and to the city of living God], the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the multitude of many thousand angels,
23 and to the church of the first men, which be written in heavens, and to God, doomsman of all, and to the spirit of just perfect men [and to the spirits of just perfect men],
24 and to Jesus, mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood, speaking better than Abel [better speaking than Abel's blood].
25 See ye, that ye forsake [refuse] not the speaker; for if they that forsake him that spake on the earth, escaped not [if forsooth they escaped not (that) refused him that spake on earth], much more we that turn away from him that speaketh to us from heavens.
26 Whose voice then moved the earth, but now he again promiseth, and saith [saying], Yet once and I shall move not only the earth, but also heaven.
27 And that he saith, Yet once, he declareth the translation of moveable things, as of made things, that those things dwell, that be unmoveable.
28 Therefore we receiving the kingdom unmoveable, have we grace, by which serve we pleasing to God with dread and reverence.
29 For our God is fire that wasteth [For why our God is fire wasting].
Footnotes
- Hebrews 12:6 Forsooth whomever the Lord loveth he chastiseth; forsooth he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
- Hebrews 12:7 Last ye therefore in discipline; God offereth him to you as to sons
- Hebrews 12:16 that no man be lecher, or unholy, as Esau, the which for one meal's meat sold his first things, or heritage.
Hebrews 12
New Matthew Bible
Hebrews 12
New Matthew Bible
An exhortation to be patient and steadfast in trouble and adversity, in the hope of everlasting reward. A commendation of the new testament above the old.
12 Therefore let us also (seeing that we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses) lay away all that presses down, and the sin that hangs on, and let us run with patience to the battle that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him suffered the cross, disregarding the shame, and is seated on the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider, therefore, how he endured such speaking against him of sinners, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 For you have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed, striving against sin, 5 and have forgotten the consolation that speaks to you as to children: My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by him. 6 For whom the Lord loves, him he chastens; yea and he scourges every son that he receives.
7 If you endure chastening, God offers himself to you as to sons. What son is it whom the father does not correct? 8 If you are not under correction (of which all are partakers), then you are baseborn, and not sons.
9 Moreover, seeing we had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence, should we not much rather submit to the Father of spiritual gifts, so that we may live? 10 And they for a few short days taught us as it pleased them, but he prepares us for that which is profitable: to receive of his holiness. 11 No manner of chastisement for the present time seems to be joyous, but grievous. Nevertheless, afterwards it brings the quiet fruit of righteousness to those who are exercised by it.
12 Stretch forth therefore again the hands that were let down, and the weak knees, 13 and see that you have straight steps for your feet, lest any limping turn you out of the way; yea let it rather be healed. 14 Embrace peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
15 And see to it that no one be destitute of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness spring up and cause trouble, and thereby many be defiled; 16 and that there be no fornicator or unclean person like Esau, who for one breakfast sold his birthright. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was put by, and he found no means to come by it again; no, though he sought it with tears.
18 For you have not come to the mount that can be touched, and to burning fire, nor yet to mist and darkness and tempest of weather, 19 neither to the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which voice the people that heard it wished away so that the message would not be spoken to them. 20 For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a beast had touched the mountain, it was to have been stoned or thrust through with a dart. 21 Even so terrible was the sight that appeared, Moses said, I fear and quake!
22 But you have come to the mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem, and to an innumerable multitude of angels, 23 and to the congregation of the first born sons, whose names are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just and perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood that speaks better than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not forsake him that speaks. For if they did not escape who refused him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven – 26 whose voice then shook the earth, and who now declares, saying: Yet once more will I shake, not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 No doubt this that he says – yet once more – signifies the removal of those things that are shaken, as of things that have ended their course, so that the things which are not shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, if we receive the kingdom that is not shaken, we have grace whereby we may serve God, and please him with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12
1599 Geneva Bible
Hebrews 12
1599 Geneva Bible
12 1 He doth not only by the examples of the Fathers before recited, exhort them to patience and constancy, 3 but also by the example of Christ. 11 That the chastenings of God cannot be rightly judged by the outward sense of our flesh.
1 Wherefore, (A)[a]let us also, seeing that we are compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, cast away everything that presseth down, and the sin that [b]hangeth so fast on: let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 [c][d]Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the [e]joy that was set before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 [f]Consider therefore him that endureth such speaking against of sinners, lest ye should be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 [g]Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 [h]And ye have forgotten the consolation, which speaketh unto you as unto children, (B)My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him.
6 For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth: and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God offered himself unto you as unto sons: for what son is it whom the father chasteneth not?
8 If therefore ye be without correction, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 [i]Moreover we have had the fathers of our bodies which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: should we not much rather be in subjection unto the father of spirits, that we might live?
10 [j]For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he chastened us for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastising for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: but afterward, it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness, unto them which are thereby exercised.
12 [k]Wherefore lift up your hands which [l]hang down, and your weak knees,
13 And make [m]straight steps unto your feet, lest that which is halting, be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed.
14 (C)[n]Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without the which no man shall see the Lord.
15 [o]Take heed, that no man fall away from the grace of God: let no [p]root of bitterness spring up and trouble you, lest thereby many be defiled.
16 [q]Let there be no fornicator, or profane person as (D)Esau, which for one portion of meat sold his birthright.
17 (E)For ye know how that afterward also when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no [r]place to repentance, though he sought that blessing with tears.
18 [s]For ye are not come unto the (F)mount that might be [t]touched, nor unto burning fire, nor to blackness and darkness, and tempest,
19 Neither unto the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they that heard it, excused themselves, (G)that the word should not be spoken to them any more.
20 (For they were not able to abide that which was commanded, (H)yea, though a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the [u]sight which appeared, that Moses said, I fear and quake.)
22 But ye are come unto the mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem, and to the company of innumerable Angels.
23 And to the assembly and congregation of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and [v]perfect men,
24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the new Testament, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 [w]See that ye despise not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not which refused him, that spake on earth: much more shall we not escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.
26 [x]Whose voice then shook the earth, and now hath declared, saying, (I)Yet [y]once more will I shake, not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things which are shaken, as of things which are made with hands, that the things which are not shaken, may remain.
28 [z]Wherefore seeing we receive a kingdom, which cannot be shaken, let us have grace whereby we may so serve God, that we may please him with [aa]reverence and [ab]fear.
29 For (J)even our God is a consuming fire.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 12:1 An applying of the former examples, whereby we ought to be stirred up to run the whole race, casting away all stops and impediments.
- Hebrews 12:1 For sin besiegeth us on all sides, so that we cannot escape out.
- Hebrews 12:2 He setteth before us, as the mark of this race, Jesus himself our captain, who willingly overcame all the roughness of the same way.
- Hebrews 12:2 As it were upon the mark of our faith.
- Hebrews 12:2 Whereas he had all kind of blessedness in his hand and power, yet suffered willingly the ignominy of the cross.
- Hebrews 12:3 An amplification taken of the circumstance of the person, and the things themselves, which he compareth betwixt themselves: for how great is Jesus in comparison of us, and how far more grievous things did he suffer than we?
- Hebrews 12:4 He taketh an argument of the profit which cometh to us by God’s chastisements, unless we be in fault. First of all because sin, or that rebellious wickedness of our flesh, is by this means turned.
- Hebrews 12:5 Secondly, because they are testimony of his fatherly good will toward us, insomuch that they show themselves to be bastards, which cannot abide to be chastened of God.
- Hebrews 12:9 Thirdly, if all men yield this right to fathers, to whom next after God we owe this life, that they may rightfully correct their children, shall we not be much more subject to that our Father, who is the Author of the spiritual and everlasting life?
- Hebrews 12:10 An amplification of the same argument: Those fathers have corrected us after their fancy, for some frail and transitory profit: but God chasteneth and instructeth us for our singular profit, to make us partakers of his holiness: which thing although these our senses do not presently perceive, yet the end of the matter proveth it.
- Hebrews 12:12 The conclusion, we must go forward courageously and keep always a right course, and (as far forth as we may) without any staggering or stumbling.
- Hebrews 12:12 The description of a man that is out of heart and clean discouraged.
- Hebrews 12:13 Keep a right course, and so, that you show example of good life for others to follow.
- Hebrews 12:14 We must live in peace, and holiness with all men.
- Hebrews 12:15 We must study to edify one another, both in doctrine and example of life.
- Hebrews 12:15 That no heresy, or backsliding be an offense.
- Hebrews 12:16 We must eschew fornication, and a profane mind, that is, such a mind, as giveth not to God his due honor, which wickedness how severely God will at length punish, the horrible example of Esau teacheth us.
- Hebrews 12:17 There was no place left for his repentance: and it appeareth by the effects, what his repentance was, for when he was gone out of his father’s sight, he threatened his brother to kill him.
- Hebrews 12:18 Now he applieth the same exhortation, to the Prophetical and kingly office of Christ compared with Moses, after this sort, If the majesty of the Law was so great, how great think you that the glory of Christ and the Gospel is? And this comparison he declareth also particularly.
- Hebrews 12:18 Which might be touched with hands, which was of a gross and earthly matter.
- Hebrews 12:21 The shape and form which he saw, which was no counterfeit and forged shape, but a true one.
- Hebrews 12:23 So he calleth them that are taken up into heaven, although one part of them sleep in the earth.
- Hebrews 12:25 The applying of the former comparison, If it were not lawful to contemn his word which spake on the earth, how much less his voice which is from heaven?
- Hebrews 12:26 He compareth the steadfast majesty of the Gospel, wherewith the whole world was shaken, and even the very frame of heaven was as it were astonished, with the small and vanishing sound of the governance by the Law.
- Hebrews 12:26 It appeareth evidently in this that the Prophet speaketh of the calling of the Gentiles, that these words must be referred to the kingdom of Christ.
- Hebrews 12:28 A general exhortation to live reverently and religiously under the most happy subjection of so mighty a king, who as he blesseth his most mightily, so doth he most severely revenge the rebellious. And this is the sum of a Christian life, respecting the first table.
- Hebrews 12:28 By reverence is meant that honest shamefastness which keepeth them in their duties.
- Hebrews 12:28 Religious and godly fear.
Hebrews 12
Authorized (King James) Version
Hebrews 12
Authorized (King James) Version
12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (for they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12
New International Version
Hebrews 12
New International Version
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, 2 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) 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary(H) and lose heart.
God Disciplines His Children
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.(I) 5 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,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,(K)
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a](L)
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.(M) For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline(N)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 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
- Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
- Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26
- Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
- Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
- Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
- Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
2001 by Terence P. Noble
New Matthew Bible (NMB)
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) 
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