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Hebrews 12:18-24
New International Version
Hebrews 12:18-24
New International Version
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;(A) 19 to a trumpet blast(B) or to such a voice speaking words(C) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,(D) 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[a](E) 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[b](F)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion,(G) to the city(H) of the living God,(I) the heavenly Jerusalem.(J) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn,(K) whose names are written in heaven.(L) You have come to God, the Judge of all,(M) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,(N) 24 to Jesus the mediator(O) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood(P) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.(Q)
Footnotes
- Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
- Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
Hebrews 12:18-24
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Hebrews 12:18-24
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
18 [a]You have not approached that which could be touched[b](A) and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm 19 and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them,(B) 20 for they could not bear to hear the command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”(C) 21 Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”(D) 22 No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering,(E) 23 and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,[c] and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect,(F) 24 and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently[d] than that of Abel.(G)
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- 12:18–29 As a final appeal for adherence to Christian teaching, the two covenants, of Moses and of Christ, are compared. The Mosaic covenant, the author argues, is shown to have originated in fear of God and threats of divine punishment (Hb 12:18–21). The covenant in Christ gives us direct access to God (Hb 12:22), makes us members of the Christian community, God’s children, a sanctified people (Hb 12:23), who have Jesus as mediator to speak for us (Hb 12:24). Not to heed the voice of the risen Christ is a graver sin than the rejection of the word of Moses (Hb 12:25–26). Though Christians fall away, God’s kingdom in Christ will remain and his justice will punish those guilty of deserting it (Hb 12:28–29).
- 12:18 This remarkably beautiful passage contrasts two great assemblies of people: that of the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai for the sealing of the old covenant and the promulgation of the Mosaic law, and that of the followers of Jesus gathered at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the assembly of the new covenant. This latter scene, marked by the presence of countless angels and of Jesus with his redeeming blood, is reminiscent of the celestial liturgies of the Book of Revelation.
- 12:23 The assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven: this expression may refer to the angels of Hb 12:22, or to the heroes of the Old Testament (see Hb 11), or to the entire assembly of the new covenant.
- 12:24 Speaks more eloquently: the blood of Abel, the first human blood to be shed, is contrasted with that of Jesus. Abel’s blood cried out from the earth for vengeance, but the blood of Jesus has opened the way for everyone, providing cleansing and access to God (Hb 10:19).
Hebrews 12:18-24
English Standard Version
Hebrews 12:18-24
English Standard Version
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
18 For you have not come to (A)what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and (B)the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words (C)made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, (D)“If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, (E)so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to (F)Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, (G)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to (H)innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to (I)the assembly[a] of the firstborn who are (J)enrolled in heaven, and to (K)God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, (L)the mediator of a new covenant, and to (M)the sprinkled blood (N)that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Hebrews 12:23 Or church
Hebrews 12:18-24
New Living Translation
Hebrews 12:18-24
New Living Translation
18 You have not come to a physical mountain,[a] to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[b] 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”[c]
22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 12:18 Greek to something that can be touched.
- 12:20 Exod 19:13.
- 12:21 Deut 9:19.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.