⁷ Endure it for discipline. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, in which all legitimate sons^[a] have become participants, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had our earthly fathers^[b] who disciplined us, and we respected them. Will we not much rather subject ourselves to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed appropriate to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we can have a share in his holiness. ¹¹ Now all discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it.

A Serious Warning Against Refusing God

¹² Therefore strengthen your slackened hands and your weakened knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather be healed.