Hebrews 12:18-29

Modern English Version

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and storm, ¹⁹ and to the sound of a trumpet and to a voice speaking words, such that those who heard them begged that the word not be spoken to them anymore. ²⁰ For they could not endure that which was commanded: “If so much as a beast touches the mountain, it must be stoned or thrust through with a spear.”^{[a] 21} So terrible was the sight that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”^[b]

²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to 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, who are enrolled in heaven; to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect; ²⁴ and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant; and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than that of Abel.

²⁵ See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused Him who spoke on earth, much less shall we escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven. ²⁶ At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has given us a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.”^{[c] 27} And this statement, “Yet once more,” signifies the removal of those things that can be shaken, things that are created, so that only those things that cannot be shaken will remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be moved, let us be gracious, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.