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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What you endure disciplines you: God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline? Now if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not God’s[a] sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. We should submit even more to the Father of our spirits and live, shouldn’t we? 10 For a short time they disciplined us as they thought best, but God[b] does it for our good, so that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.

Live as God’s People

12 Therefore, strengthen your tired arms and your weak knees, 13 and straighten the paths of your life,[c] so that your lameness may not become worse, but instead may be healed.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:8 Lit. his
  2. Hebrews 12:10 Lit. he
  3. Hebrews 12:13 Lit. feet