It is for discipline that you endure; (A)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, (B)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had [a]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we (C)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to (D)the Father of [b]spirits, and (E)live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, (F)so that we may share His holiness. 11 (G)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 (H)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:9 Lit fathers of our flesh
  2. Hebrews 12:9 Or our spirits
  3. Hebrews 12:12 Lit make straight

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