⁵ Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans.

¹⁹ I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.^(A)

⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—

⁷ Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children, for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline?^{(C) 8} If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children.^{(D) 9} Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness.^(E)

¹⁹ But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”^(A)

⁹ Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental principles?^[a] How can you want to be enslaved to them again?^(A)

³ but anyone who loves God is known by him.^(A)

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[a] for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.^(A)

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.^(A)