Jesus, the Example

12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s (A)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s (B)run with (C)endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the [a](D)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him (E)endured the cross, (F)despising the shame, and has (G)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For (H)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary [b](I)and lose heart.

A Father’s Discipline

(J)You have not yet resisted [c](K)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

(L)My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor (M)faint when you are punished by Him;
(N)For (O)whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He punishes every son whom He accepts.”

It is for discipline that you endure; (P)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, (Q)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had [d]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we (R)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to (S)the Father of [e]spirits, and (T)live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, (U)so that we may share His holiness. 11 (V)For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the (W)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

12 Therefore, [f](X)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and (Y)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather (Z)be healed.

14 (AA)Pursue peace with all people, and the (AB)holiness without which no one will (AC)see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one (AD)comes short of the grace of God; that no (AE)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become (AF)defiled; 16 that there be no (AG)sexually immoral or (AH)godless person like Esau, (AI)who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterward, (AJ)when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Contrast of Sinai and Zion

18 (AK)For you have not come to (AL)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the (AM)blast of a trumpet and the (AN)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard (AO)begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not [g]cope with the command, “(AP)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “(AQ)I am terrified and trembling.” 22 But (AR)you have come to Mount Zion and to (AS)the city of (AT)the living God, (AU)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to (AV)myriads of [h]angels, 23 to the general assembly and (AW)church of the firstborn who (AX)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, (AY)the Judge of all, and to the (AZ)spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the (BA)mediator of a new covenant, and to the (BB)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than (BC)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

25 (BD)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is (BE)speaking. For (BF)if those did not escape when they (BG)refused him who (BH)warned them on earth, [i]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who (BI)warns us from heaven. 26 And (BJ)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “(BK)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes (BL)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a (BM)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s [j]show gratitude, by which we may (BN)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for (BO)our God is a consuming fire.

The Changeless Christ

13 Let (BP)love of the brothers and sisters continue. Do not neglect (BQ)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have (BR)entertained angels without knowing it. (BS)Remember (BT)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (BU)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; (BV)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Make sure that your character is (BW)free from the love of money, (BX)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “(BY)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” so that we confidently say,

(BZ)The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”

Remember (CA)those who led you, who spoke (CB)the word of God to you; and considering the [k]result of their way of life, (CC)imitate their faith. (CD)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. (CE)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to (CF)be strengthened by grace, not by (CG)foods, (CH)through which those who [l]were so occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar (CI)from which those (CJ)who serve the [m]tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For (CK)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered (CL)outside the gate, (CM)that He might sanctify the people (CN)through His own blood. 13 So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, (CO)bearing His reproach. 14 For here (CP)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking (CQ)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

15 (CR)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a (CS)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, (CT)the fruit of lips praising His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and (CU)sharing, for (CV)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 (CW)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for (CX)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not [n]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

18 (CY)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a (CZ)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, (DA)so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

Benediction

20 Now may (DB)the God of peace, who (DC)brought up from the dead the (DD)great Shepherd of the sheep [o]through (DE)the blood of the (DF)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 (DG)equip you in every good thing to do His will, (DH)working in us that (DI)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, (DJ)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 But (DK)I urge you, (DL)brothers and sisters, [p]listen patiently to [q]this (DM)word of exhortation, for (DN)I have written to you briefly. 23 Know that (DO)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. 24 Greet (DP)all of your leaders and all the [r](DQ)saints. Those from (DR)Italy greet you.

25 (DS)Grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:2 Or leader
  2. Hebrews 12:3 Lit fainting in your souls
  3. Hebrews 12:4 Lit as far as blood
  4. Hebrews 12:9 Lit fathers of our flesh
  5. Hebrews 12:9 Or our spirits
  6. Hebrews 12:12 Lit make straight
  7. Hebrews 12:20 Lit bear
  8. Hebrews 12:22 Or angels in festive gathering, and to the church
  9. Hebrews 12:25 Lit much rather we will not escape...
  10. Hebrews 12:28 Lit have
  11. Hebrews 13:7 Or end of their life
  12. Hebrews 13:9 Lit walked
  13. Hebrews 13:10 Or sacred tent
  14. Hebrews 13:17 Or sighing
  15. Hebrews 13:20 Lit in
  16. Hebrews 13:22 Or listen to
  17. Hebrews 13:22 Lit the
  18. Hebrews 13:24 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

The Testing of Your Faith

[a](A)James, a (B)bond-servant of God and (C)of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To (D)the twelve tribes who are [b](E)dispersed abroad: (F)Greetings.

(G)Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter (H)various [c]trials, knowing that (I)the testing of your (J)faith produces [d](K)endurance. And let [e](L)endurance have its perfect [f]result, so that you may be [g](M)perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you (N)lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [h]without reproach, and (O)it will be given to him. But he must (P)ask in faith (Q)without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, (R)driven and tossed by the wind. For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a (S)[i]double-minded man, (T)unstable in all his ways.

(U)Now the brother or sister of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; 10 but the rich person is to glory in his [j]humiliation, because (V)like [k]flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with (W)its scorching heat and (X)withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.

12 (Y)Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has [l]been approved, he will receive (Z)the crown of life which the Lord (AA)has promised to those who (AB)love Him. 13 No one is to say when he is tempted, “(AC)I am being tempted [m]by God”; for God cannot be tempted [n]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then (AD)when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and (AE)sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 (AF)Do not be [o]deceived, (AG)my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is (AH)from above, coming down from (AI)the Father of lights, (AJ)with whom there is no variation or [p]shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of (AK)His will He (AL)gave us birth by (AM)the word of truth, so that we would be [q]a kind of (AN)first fruits [r]among His creatures.

19 [s](AO)You know this, (AP)my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, (AQ)slow to speak, and (AR)slow to anger; 20 for a man’s (AS)anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, (AT)ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all [t]that remains of wickedness, in [u]humility receive (AU)the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 (AV)But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his [v]natural face (AW)in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, [w]he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, (AX)the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but [x]an active doer, this person will be (AY)blessed in [y]what he does.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not [z](AZ)bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion (BA)in the sight of our God and Father is this: to (BB)visit (BC)orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained [aa]by (BD)the world.

The Sin of Partiality

(BE)My brothers and sisters, (BF)do not hold your faith in our (BG)glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of (BH)personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your [ab]assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in (BI)bright clothes, and a poor man in (BJ)dirty clothes also comes in, and you [ac]pay special attention to the one who is wearing the (BK)bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges (BL)with evil [ad]motives? Listen, (BM)my beloved brothers and sisters: did (BN)God not choose the poor [ae]of this world to be (BO)rich in faith and (BP)heirs of the kingdom which He (BQ)promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and [af]personally (BR)drag you into [ag]court? (BS)Do they not blaspheme the good name [ah]by which you have been called?

If, however, you (BT)are fulfilling the [ai]royal law according to the Scripture, “(BU)You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you (BV)show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. 10 For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet (BW)stumbles in one point, has become (BX)guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “(BY)Do not commit adultery,” also said, “(BZ)Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law. 12 So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by (CA)the law of freedom. 13 For (CB)judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy [aj]triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Works

14 (CC)What use is it, (CD)my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can [ak]that faith save him? 15 (CE)If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “(CF)Go in peace, [al]be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 In the same way, (CG)faith also, if it has no works, is [am]dead, being by itself.

18 (CH)But someone [an]may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your (CI)faith without the works, and I will (CJ)show you my faith (CK)by my works.” 19 You believe that [ao](CL)God is one. (CM)You do well; (CN)the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to acknowledge, (CO)you foolish person, that (CP)faith without works is useless? 21 (CQ)Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that (CR)faith was working with his works, and [ap]as a result of the (CS)works, faith was [aq]perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “(CT)And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a (CU)friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was (CV)Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also (CW)when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also (CX)faith without works is dead.

The Tongue Is a Fire

(CY)Do not become teachers in large numbers, (CZ)my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a [ar]stricter judgment. For we all (DA)stumble in many ways. (DB)If anyone does not stumble in [as]what he says, he is a (DC)perfect man, able to [at](DD)rein in the whole body as well. Now (DE)if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it (DF)boasts of great things.

(DG)See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And (DH)the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among [au]our body’s parts as that which (DI)defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our [av]life, and is set on fire by [aw](DJ)hell. For every [ax]species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human [ay]race. But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of (DK)deadly poison. With it we bless (DL)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, (DM)who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both [az]fresh and bitter water? 12 (DN)Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce [ba]fresh.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? (DO)Let him show by his (DP)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter (DQ)jealousy and [bb]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against (DR)the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down (DS)from above, but is (DT)earthly, [bc](DU)natural, (DV)demonic. 16 For where (DW)jealousy and [bd]selfish ambition exist, [be]there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom (DX)from above is first (DY)pure, then (DZ)peace-loving, (EA)gentle, [bf]reasonable, (EB)full of mercy and good fruits, [bg](EC)impartial, free of (ED)hypocrisy. 18 And the (EE)fruit of righteousness is sown in peace [bh]by those who make peace.

Footnotes

  1. James 1:1 Or Jacob
  2. James 1:1 Lit in the Dispersion
  3. James 1:2 Or temptations
  4. James 1:3 Or steadfastness
  5. James 1:4 Or steadfastness
  6. James 1:4 Lit work
  7. James 1:4 Or mature
  8. James 1:5 Lit does not reproach
  9. James 1:8 I.e., a chronic doubter
  10. James 1:10 Or downfall
  11. James 1:10 Lit the flower of the grass
  12. James 1:12 Or passed the test
  13. James 1:13 Lit from
  14. James 1:13 Lit of evil things
  15. James 1:16 Or misled
  16. James 1:17 Lit shadow of turning
  17. James 1:18 Or a certain first fruits
  18. James 1:18 Lit of
  19. James 1:19 Or Know this
  20. James 1:21 Lit abundance of malice
  21. James 1:21 Or gentleness
  22. James 1:23 Lit the face of his birth; or nature
  23. James 1:24 Lit and he
  24. James 1:25 Lit a doer of a work
  25. James 1:25 Lit his doing
  26. James 1:26 Or control
  27. James 1:27 Lit from
  28. James 2:2 Or synagogue
  29. James 2:3 Lit look at
  30. James 2:4 Lit reasonings
  31. James 2:5 Lit to the
  32. James 2:6 Lit they themselves
  33. James 2:6 Lit courts
  34. James 2:7 Lit which has been called upon you
  35. James 2:8 Or law of our King
  36. James 2:13 Lit boasts against
  37. James 2:14 Lit the
  38. James 2:16 Or warm yourselves and fill yourselves
  39. James 2:17 Or dead by its own standards
  40. James 2:18 Lit will
  41. James 2:19 One early ms there is one God
  42. James 2:22 Or by the deeds
  43. James 2:22 Or completed
  44. James 3:1 Or greater condemnation; i.e., for erroneous doctrine
  45. James 3:2 Lit word
  46. James 3:2 Or hold in check
  47. James 3:6 Lit our parts
  48. James 3:6 Or existence, origin
  49. James 3:6 Gr Gehenna
  50. James 3:7 Lit nature
  51. James 3:7 Lit nature
  52. James 3:11 Lit sweet
  53. James 3:12 Lit sweet
  54. James 3:14 Or strife
  55. James 3:15 Or unspiritual
  56. James 3:16 Or strife
  57. James 3:16 I.e., in that place
  58. James 3:17 Or willing to yield
  59. James 3:17 Or unwavering
  60. James 3:18 Or for

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