Hebrews 12:1-14

Contemporary English Version

A Large Crowd of Witnesses

12 ^(A) Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. ²^(B) We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side^[a] of God's throne! ³So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up.

⁴None of you have yet been hurt^[b] in your battle against sin. ⁵^(C) But you have forgotten that the Scriptures say to God's children,

“When the Lord punishes you,
    don't make light of it,
and when he corrects you,
    don't be discouraged.
⁶The Lord corrects the people
    he loves
and disciplines those
    he calls his own.”

⁷Be patient when you are being corrected! This is how God treats his children. Don't all parents correct their children? ⁸God corrects all his children, and if he doesn't correct you, then you don't really belong to him. ⁹Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn't it even better to be given true life by letting our spiritual Father correct us?

¹⁰Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best. But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy, as he is. ¹¹It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace.

¹²^(D) Now stand up straight! Stop your knees from shaking ¹³^(E) and walk a straight path. Then lame people will be healed, instead of getting worse.