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Hebrews 12
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Chapter 12

God Our Father.[a] 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us[b] and persevere in running the race that lies before us 2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.(A) 3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. 5 You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:

“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord(B)
    or lose heart when reproved by him;
6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
    he scourges every son he acknowledges.”

7 Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?(C) 8 If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards. 9 Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?(D) 10 They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness. 11 At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.(E)

12 So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.(F) 13 Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.(G)

Penalties of Disobedience. 14 (H)Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 [c]See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled,(I) 16 that no one be an immoral or profane person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.(J) 17 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit his father’s blessing, he was rejected because he found no opportunity to change his mind, even though he sought the blessing with tears.(K)

18 [d]You have not approached that which could be touched[e](L) 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,(M) 20 for they could not bear to hear the command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”(N) 21 Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”(O) 22 No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering,(P) 23 and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,[f] and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect,(Q) 24 and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently[g] than that of Abel.(R)

25 See that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much more in our case if we turn away from the one who warns from heaven.(S) 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only earth but heaven.”(T) 27 That phrase, “once more,” points to [the] removal of shaken, created things, so that what is unshaken may remain.(U) 28 Therefore, we who are receiving the unshakable kingdom should have gratitude, with which we should offer worship pleasing to God in reverence and awe.(V) 29 For our God is a consuming fire.(W)

Footnotes

  1. 12:1–13 Christian life is to be inspired not only by the Old Testament men and women of faith (Hb 12:1) but above all by Jesus. As the architect of Christian faith, he had himself to endure the cross before receiving the glory of his triumph (Hb 12:2). Reflection on his sufferings should give his followers courage to continue the struggle, if necessary even to the shedding of blood (Hb 12:3–4). Christians should regard their own sufferings as the affectionate correction of the Lord, who loves them as a father loves his children.
  2. 12:1 That clings to us: the meaning is uncertain, since the Greek word euperistatos, translated cling, occurs only here. The papyrus P46 and one minuscule read euperispastos, “easily distracting,” which also makes good sense.
  3. 12:15–17 Esau serves as an example in two ways: his profane attitude illustrates the danger of apostasy, and his inability to secure a blessing afterward illustrates the impossibility of repenting after falling away (see Hb 6:4–6).
  4. 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).
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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).
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Hebrews 12
Living Bible

12 Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.

2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards; and now he sits in the place of honor by the throne of God.

3 If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. 4 After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood.

5 And have you quite forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his child? He said, “My son, don’t be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don’t be discouraged when he has to show you where you are wrong. 6 For when he punishes you, it proves that he loves you. When he whips you, it proves you are really his child.”

7 Let God train you, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. Whoever heard of a son who was never corrected? 8 If God doesn’t punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means that you aren’t really God’s son at all—that you don’t really belong in his family. 9 Since we respect our fathers here on earth, though they punish us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to God’s training so that we can begin really to live?

10 Our earthly fathers trained us for a few brief years, doing the best for us that they knew how, but God’s correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share his holiness. 11 Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening—it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, 13 and mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves but become strong.

14 Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. 16 Watch out that no one becomes involved in sexual sin or becomes careless about God as Esau did: he traded his rights as the oldest son for a single meal. 17 And afterwards, when he wanted those rights back again, it was too late, even though he wept bitter tears of repentance. So remember, and be careful.

18 You have not had to stand face to face with terror, flaming fire, gloom, darkness, and a terrible storm as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai when God gave them his laws. 19 For there was an awesome trumpet blast and a voice with a message so terrible that the people begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command that if even an animal touched the mountain it must die. 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he shook with terrible fear.

22 But you have come right up into Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the gathering of countless happy angels; 23 and to the church, composed of all those registered in heaven; and to God who is Judge of all; and to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven, already made perfect; 24 and to Jesus himself, who has brought us his wonderful new agreement; and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did.

25 So see to it that you obey him who is speaking to you. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, how terrible our danger if we refuse to listen to God who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When he spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but, “Next time,” he says, “I will not only shake the earth but the heavens too.” 27 By this he means that he will sift out everything without solid foundations so that only unshakable things will be left.

28 Since we have a Kingdom nothing can destroy, let us please God by serving him with thankful hearts and with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

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Evrei 12
Nouă Traducere În Limba Română

Dumnezeu Îşi disciplinează fiii

12 De aceea, întrucât suntem înconjuraţi de un nor aşa de mare de martori, să dăm la o parte orice ne-ar putea împiedica şi păcatul care ne prinde atât de strâns şi să alergăm cu perseverenţă în cursa care ne stă înainte. 2 Să ne fixăm atenţia asupra lui Isus, Cel Care iniţiază şi desăvârşeşte credinţa, Cel Care, pentru bucuria ce-I stătea înainte, a îndurat crucea, dispreţuindu-i ruşinea, şi S-a aşezat la dreapta tronului lui Dumnezeu! 3 Gândiţi-vă cu atenţie la Cel Ce a îndurat o astfel de împotrivire faţă de El Însuşi din partea păcătoşilor, ca să nu vă lăsaţi descurajaţi şi să nu renunţaţi.

4 Voi nu v-aţi împotrivit încă până la sânge în lupta împotriva păcatului 5 şi aţi uitat în întregime încurajarea pe care v-o spune ca unor fii:

„Fiul meu, nu dispreţui disciplinarea Domnului,
    nu te descuraja când eşti mustrat de El,
6 pentru că Domnul îl disciplinează pe cel pe care-l iubeşte
    şi pedepseşte pe orice fiu pe care-l primeşte.“[a]

7 Răbdaţi încercările de dragul disciplinării! Dumnezeu se poartă cu voi ca şi cu nişte fii. Care copil nu este disciplinat de tatăl lui? 8 Însă dacă voi nu aveţi parte de disciplina de care au parte toţi copiii, atunci sunteţi copii nelegitimi, nu fii! 9 Mai mult, în cazul părinţilor noştri omeneşti, ei ne-au disciplinat, iar noi i-am respectat; n-ar trebui, cu atât mai mult, să ne supunem Tatălui duhurilor şi să trăim? 10 Ei ne-au disciplinat pentru scurt timp, aşa cum li s-a părut lor cel mai bine, însă El ne disciplinează pentru binele nostru, ca să avem parte de sfinţenia Lui. 11 Întotdeauna, orice disciplinare este mai degrabă dureroasă decât plăcută, dar, mai târziu, cei care au fost disciplinaţi prin ea adună rodul paşnic al dreptăţii.

12 De aceea, întăriţi-vă braţele lipsite de putere şi genunchii slăbiţi! 13 „Faceţi cărări drepte pentru picioarele voastre“[b], pentru ca cel şchiop să nu-şi scrântească piciorul, ci mai degrabă să fie vindecat!

14 Urmăriţi cu toţii pacea şi sfinţirea, fără de care nimeni nu-L va vedea pe Domnul! 15 Fiţi atenţi ca nici unul să nu se întoarcă de la harul lui Dumnezeu, ca nici un lăstar de amărăciune să nu crească şi să provoace durere, iar prin el mulţi să se pângărească! 16 Fiţi atenţi ca nimeni să nu fie desfrânat sau lumesc, ca Esau, care, pentru o mâncare, şi-a vândut drepturile de întâi născut. 17 Voi ştiţi că, mai târziu, când a vrut să-şi moştenească binecuvântarea, a fost respins, chiar dacă a căutat-o cu lacrimi, deoarece n-a găsit loc pentru pocăinţă.

18 Căci n-aţi venit la un munte care poate fi atins şi care este cuprins de foc; n-aţi venit la întuneric, negură şi furtună, 19 nici la sunet de trâmbiţă şi la un glas ale cărui cuvinte i-au făcut pe cei ce l-au auzit să ceară să nu li se mai vorbească, – 20 pentru că n-au putut îndura porunca dată, şi anume: „Chiar dacă un animal atinge muntele, trebuie să fie omorât cu pietre!“[c]; 21 priveliştea aceea era atât de înspăimântătoare, încât Moise a spus: „Sunt înspăimântat şi tremur!“[d] – 22 ci aţi venit la muntele Sion, la cetatea Dumnezeului celui Viu, Ierusalimul ceresc, la miile de îngeri adunaţi pentru sărbătoare, 23 la Biserica întâilor născuţi scrişi în ceruri, la Dumnezeu, Judecătorul tuturor, la duhurile desăvârşite ale celor drepţi, 24 la Isus, Mijlocitorul Noului Legământ, şi la sângele stropit, care vorbeşte mai bine decât sângele lui Abel.

25 Aveţi grijă să nu-L respingeţi pe Cel Ce vă vorbeşte! Căci dacă n-au scăpat aceia care n-au vrut să-l asculte pe cel ce le-a adus mesajul divin pe pământ, cu atât mai mult nu vom scăpa noi, dacă ne întoarcem de la Cel Ce ni-l aduce din ceruri! 26 Atunci glasul Lui a clătinat pământul, dar acum a promis că: „Voi clătina încă o dată, nu numai pământul, ci şi cerul.“[e] 27 Cuvintele „încă o dată“ arată înlăturarea a ceea ce poate fi clătinat, adică a lucrurilor create, astfel încât să rămână ceea ce nu poate fi clătinat. 28 De aceea, întrucât primim o Împărăţie care nu poate fi clătinată, să mulţumim şi să ne închinăm lui Dumnezeu într-un mod care-I este plăcut, cu reverenţă şi frică, 29 pentru că „Dumnezeul nostru este un foc mistuitor“[f].

Footnotes

  1. Evrei 12:6 Vezi Prov. 3:11, 12
  2. Evrei 12:13 Vezi Prov. 4:26
  3. Evrei 12:20 Vezi Ex. 19:12, 13
  4. Evrei 12:21 Vezi Deut. 9:19
  5. Evrei 12:26 Vezi Hag. 2:6
  6. Evrei 12:29 Vezi Deut. 4:24
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Hebrews 12
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.

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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

  1. Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  2. Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26
  3. Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
  4. Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
  5. Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
  6. Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24
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