It is for discipline that you have to endure. (A)God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, (B)in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to (C)the Father of spirits (D)and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, (E)that we may share his holiness. 11 (F)For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields (G)the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore (H)lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and (I)make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint (J)but rather be healed.

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Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all[a] receive[b]—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.(A) Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?(B) 10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness.(C) 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace(D) and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.(E)

12 Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,(F) 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated[c] but healed instead.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:8 = Christians
  2. Hebrews 12:8 Lit discipline, of which all have become participants
  3. Hebrews 12:13 Or so that the lame will not be turned aside