Hebrews 11-12
King James Version
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 11-12
Amplified Bible
The Triumphs of Faith
11 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. 2 For by this [kind of] faith the [a]men of old gained [divine] approval.
3 By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.(A) 5 By faith [that pleased God] Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found because God had taken him; for even before he was taken [to heaven], he received the testimony [still on record] that he had walked with God and pleased Him.(B) 6 But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. 7 By faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah, being warned by God about events not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this [act of obedience] he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.(C)
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land, as in a strange land, living in tents [as nomads] with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise.(D) 10 For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has foundations, [an eternal, heavenly city] whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive [a child], even [when she was long] past the normal age for it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true [to His word].(E) 12 So from one man, though he was [physically] as good as dead, were born as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand on the seashore.(F)
13 All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.(G) 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed [as their true home], they would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return. 16 But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them.(H)
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested [that is, as the testing of his faith was still in progress], [b]offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises [of God] was ready to sacrifice his only son [of promise];(I) 18 to whom it was said, “Through Isaac your descendants shall be called.”(J) 19 For he considered [it reasonable to believe] that God was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. [Indeed, in the sense that he was prepared to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God] Abraham did receive him back [from the dead] figuratively speaking. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau [believing what God revealed to him], even regarding things to come.(K) 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff.(L) 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, referred to [the promise of God for] the exodus of the sons of Israel [from Egypt], and gave instructions concerning [the burial of] his bones [in the land of the promise].(M)
23 By faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful and divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s) decree.(N) 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,(O) 25 because he preferred to endure the hardship of the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of the [c]Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God]. 27 By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid of the wrath of the king; for he endured [steadfastly], as seeing Him who is unseen.(P) 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them (the firstborn of Israel).(Q) 29 By faith the people [of Israel] crossed the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; but when the Egyptians attempted it they were drowned.(R)
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days [by Joshua and the sons of Israel].(S) 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies [sent by the sons of Israel] in peace.(T)
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,(U) 33 who by faith [that is, with an enduring trust in God and His promises] subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions,(V) 34 extinguished the power of [raging] fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty and unbeatable in battle, putting enemy forces to flight.(W) 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured [to death], refusing to accept release [offered on the condition of denying their faith], so that they would be resurrected to a better life;(X) 36 and others experienced the trial of mocking and scourging [amid torture], and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned [to death], they were sawn in two, they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith], they were put to death by the sword; they went about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and [living in] caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all of these, though they gained [divine] approval through their faith, did not receive [the fulfillment of] what was promised, 40 because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us.
Jesus, the Example
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [d]witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [e]disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].(Y)
3 Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
A Father’s Discipline
4 You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have [f]forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons,
“My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord,
And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him;
6
For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves,
And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].”(Z)
7 You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for [g]what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all]. 9 Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of [h]spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].
12 So then, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that tremble.(AA) 13 Cut through and make smooth, straight paths for your feet [that are safe and go in the right direction], so that the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather may be healed.
14 Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 and [see to it] that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.(AB) 17 For you know that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance [there was no way to repair what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], even though he sought for it with [bitter] tears.(AC)
Contrast of Sinai and Zion
18 For you have not come [as did the Israelites in the wilderness] to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to gloom and darkness and a raging windstorm, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and a sound of words [such that] those who heard it begged that nothing more be said to them.(AD) 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a wild animal touches the mountain, it will be stoned [to death].”(AE) 21 In fact, so terrifying was the sight, that Moses said, “I am filled with fear and trembling.”(AF) 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering], 23 and to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringing them to their final glory], 24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant [uniting God and man], and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].(AG)
The Unshaken Kingdom
25 See to it that you do not refuse [to listen to] Him who is speaking [to you now]. For if those [sons of Israel] did not escape when they refused [to listen to] him who warned them on earth [revealing God’s will], how much less will we escape if we turn our backs on Him who warns from heaven?(AH) 26 His voice shook the earth [at Mount Sinai] then, but now He has given a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the [starry] heaven.”(AI) 27 Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is, of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.(AJ) 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.(AK)
Footnotes
- Hebrews 11:2 I.e. those men and women who were faithful to God before the old covenant and those faithful to God after its establishment, those mentioned in this chapter.
- Hebrews 11:17 Lit has offered. Even though Abraham did not follow through with the sacrifice per the fact that it was a test from God, from Abraham’s perspective the offering was completed although he did not physically offer Isaac.
- Hebrews 11:26 The author is probably suggesting two things here: 1) Moses’ reproach was like what was endured by Jesus in His suffering and death, and 2) Moses’ reproach was for the sake of Christ. Whether typology is involved here is debated.
- Hebrews 12:1 I.e. the people commended for their faith in ch 11. See 11:2, 39.
- Hebrews 12:2 Sometimes the public shame of the cross is overlooked when one thinks of the pain and agony inflicted by it, but in the Roman Empire crucifixion was a shameful and disgraceful way to die, a form of capital punishment from which Roman citizens were exempt; and in Roman comedy it was used in a curse: “Go to a bad cross!”
- Hebrews 12:5 Or have you forgotten.
- Hebrews 12:7 Or who is a son whom.
- Hebrews 12:9 The meaning seems to be that God is the Father of that which is spiritual as well as that which is physical.
Hebreos 11-12
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
La fe y sus héroes
11 Ahora bien, la fe es la certeza(A) de lo que se espera(B), la convicción de lo que no se ve(C). 2 Porque por ella recibieron aprobación[a](D) los antiguos[b](E). 3 Por la fe entendemos que el universo[c] fue preparado(F) por(G) la palabra de Dios(H), de modo que lo que se ve no fue hecho de cosas visibles(I).
4 Por la fe Abel ofreció a Dios un mejor sacrificio que Caín(J), por[d] lo cual alcanzó el testimonio de que era justo(K), dando Dios testimonio de sus ofrendas[e](L); y por[f] la fe[g], estando muerto, todavía habla(M). 5 Por la fe Enoc fue trasladado al cielo para que no viera muerte(N); y no fue hallado porque Dios lo trasladó(O); porque antes de ser trasladado recibió testimonio de haber agradado a Dios. 6 Y sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios. Porque es necesario que el que se acerca a Dios(P) crea que Él existe, y que recompensa a los que lo buscan.
7 Por la fe Noé(Q), siendo advertido(R) por Dios acerca de cosas que aún no se veían(S), con temor reverente(T) preparó un arca para la salvación de su casa(U), por la cual[h] condenó al mundo, y llegó a ser heredero de la justicia que es según la fe(V). 8 Por la fe Abraham, al ser llamado, obedeció(W), saliendo para un lugar que había de recibir como herencia(X); y salió sin saber adónde iba. 9 Por la fe habitó como extranjero en la tierra de la promesa(Y) como en tierra extraña, viviendo en tiendas como[i] Isaac y Jacob(Z), coherederos de la misma promesa(AA), 10 porque esperaba la ciudad(AB) que tiene cimientos(AC), cuyo arquitecto y constructor es Dios(AD).
11 También por la fe Sara misma recibió fuerza para concebir[j](AE), aun pasada ya la edad propicia, pues consideró fiel a Aquel que lo había prometido(AF). 12 Por lo cual también nació de uno, y este casi muerto(AG) con respecto a esto, una descendencia como las estrellas del cielo en número, e innumerable como la arena que está a la orilla del mar(AH).
13 Todos estos murieron en fe(AI), sin haber recibido las promesas(AJ), pero habiéndolas visto desde lejos(AK) y aceptado con gusto,[k] confesando que eran extranjeros y peregrinos[l] sobre la tierra(AL). 14 Porque los que dicen tales cosas, claramente dan a entender que buscan una patria propia. 15 Y si en verdad hubieran estado pensando en aquella patria de donde salieron, habrían tenido oportunidad de volver(AM). 16 Pero en realidad, anhelan una patria mejor, es decir, la celestial(AN). Por lo cual, Dios no se avergüenza(AO) de ser[m] llamado Dios de ellos(AP), pues les ha preparado una ciudad(AQ).
17 Por la fe Abraham, cuando fue probado, ofreció a Isaac(AR); y el que había recibido las promesas(AS) ofrecía a su único[n] hijo. 18 Fue a él a quien se le dijo: «En Isaac te será llamada descendencia[o](AT)». 19 Él consideró[p] que Dios era poderoso para levantar aun de entre los muertos(AU), de donde también, en sentido figurado[q](AV), lo volvió a recibir.
20 Por la fe Isaac bendijo a Jacob y a Esaú(AW), aun respecto a cosas futuras. 21 Por la fe Jacob, al morir, bendijo a cada uno de los hijos de José(AX), y adoró, apoyándose sobre el extremo de su bastón(AY). 22 Por la fe José, al morir, mencionó el éxodo de los israelitas, y dio instrucciones acerca de sus huesos(AZ).
23 Por la fe Moisés, cuando nació, fue escondido por sus padres durante tres meses, porque vieron que era un niño hermoso(BA) y no temieron el edicto del rey(BB). 24 Por la fe Moisés, cuando ya era grande, rehusó ser llamado hijo de la hija de Faraón(BC), 25 escogiendo más bien ser maltratado con el pueblo de Dios, que gozar de los placeres temporales del pecado(BD). 26 Consideró como mayores riquezas el oprobio de Cristo[r] que los tesoros de Egipto(BE), porque tenía la mirada puesta en la recompensa(BF).
27 Por la fe Moisés salió de Egipto(BG) sin temer la ira del rey(BH), porque se mantuvo firme como viendo al Invisible(BI). 28 Por la fe celebró la Pascua y el rociamiento de la sangre(BJ), para que el exterminador de los primogénitos no los tocara a ellos(BK). 29 Por la fe pasaron el mar Rojo como por tierra seca, y cuando los egipcios intentaron hacer lo mismo, se ahogaron[s](BL).
30 Por la fe cayeron los muros de Jericó(BM), después de ser rodeados por siete días(BN). 31 Por la fe la ramera Rahab no pereció con los desobedientes, por haber recibido a los espías en[t] paz(BO).
32 ¿Y qué más diré? Pues el tiempo me faltaría para contar de Gedeón(BP), Barac(BQ), Sansón(BR), Jefté(BS), David(BT), Samuel y los profetas(BU); 33 quienes por la fe conquistaron reinos(BV), hicieron justicia(BW), obtuvieron promesas(BX), cerraron bocas de leones(BY), 34 apagaron la violencia del fuego(BZ), escaparon del filo de la espada(CA). Siendo débiles[u], fueron hechos fuertes, se hicieron poderosos en la guerra(CB), pusieron en fuga a ejércitos extranjeros(CC).
35 Las mujeres recibieron a sus muertos mediante la resurrección(CD). Otros fueron torturados, no aceptando su liberación[v] a fin de obtener una mejor resurrección. 36 Otros experimentaron[w] insultos y azotes, y hasta cadenas y prisiones(CE). 37 Fueron apedreados(CF), aserrados(CG), tentados[x], muertos a espada(CH). Anduvieron de aquí para allá cubiertos con pieles de ovejas y de cabras(CI); destituidos, afligidos, maltratados(CJ) 38 (de los cuales el mundo no era digno), errantes por desiertos y montañas, por cuevas y cavernas de la tierra(CK).
39 Y todos estos, habiendo obtenido aprobación[y] por su fe(CL), no recibieron la promesa(CM), 40 porque Dios había provisto[z] algo mejor para nosotros(CN), a fin de que ellos no fueran hechos perfectos sin nosotros(CO).
La carrera del cristiano
12 Por tanto, puesto que tenemos en derredor nuestro tan gran nube de testigos, despojémonos también de todo peso y del pecado(CP) que tan fácilmente nos envuelve, y corramos(CQ) con paciencia[aa](CR) la carrera que tenemos por delante, 2 puestos los ojos en[ab] Jesús, el autor y consumador[ac] de la fe(CS), quien por el gozo puesto delante de Él soportó la cruz(CT), despreciando la vergüenza(CU), y se ha sentado a la diestra del trono de Dios(CV).
3 Consideren, pues, a Aquel que soportó tal hostilidad de[ad] los pecadores contra Él mismo(CW), para que no se cansen ni se desanimen en su corazón[ae](CX). 4 Porque todavía, en su lucha contra el pecado, ustedes no han resistido(CY) hasta el punto de derramar sangre[af](CZ). 5 Además, han olvidado la exhortación que como a hijos se les dirige:
«Hijo Mío, no tengas en poco la disciplina del Señor,
Ni te desanimes(DA) al ser reprendido por Él(DB).
6 -»Porque el Señor al que ama, disciplina(DC),
Y azota a todo el que recibe por hijo(DD)».
7 Es para su corrección[ag] que sufren. Dios los trata como a hijos(DE); porque ¿qué hijo hay a quien su padre no discipline? 8 Pero si están sin disciplina, de la cual todos han sido hechos participantes, entonces son hijos ilegítimos y no hijos verdaderos(DF). 9 Además, tuvimos padres terrenales[ah] para disciplinarnos, y los respetábamos(DG), ¿con cuánta más razón no estaremos sujetos al Padre de nuestros[ai] espíritus(DH), y viviremos(DI)? 10 Porque ellos nos disciplinaban por pocos días como les parecía, pero Él nos disciplina para nuestro bien, para que participemos de Su santidad(DJ).
11 Al presente ninguna[aj] disciplina parece ser[ak] causa de gozo, sino de tristeza[al](DK). Sin embargo, a los que han sido ejercitados[am] por medio de[an] ella, después les da fruto apacible de justicia(DL). 12 Por tanto, fortalezcan[ao] las manos débiles[ap] y las rodillas que flaquean(DM), 13 y hagan sendas derechas para sus pies(DN), para que la pierna coja no se descoyunte, sino que se sane(DO).
Exhortación a la fidelidad
14 Busquen la paz con todos(DP), y la santidad(DQ), sin la cual nadie verá al Señor(DR). 15 Cuídense de que nadie deje de alcanzar la gracia de Dios(DS); de que ninguna raíz de amargura(DT), brotando, cause dificultades y por ella muchos sean contaminados(DU). 16 Que no haya ninguna persona inmoral(DV) ni profana(DW) como Esaú, que vendió su primogenitura por una comida(DX). 17 Porque saben que aun después, cuando quiso heredar la bendición, fue rechazado, pues no halló ocasión para el arrepentimiento, aunque la buscó con lágrimas(DY).
Contraste entre el monte Sinaí y el monte Sión
18 Porque ustedes no se han acercado(DZ) a un monte que se puede tocar, ni a fuego ardiente, ni a tinieblas, ni a oscuridad, ni a torbellino(EA), 19 ni a sonido de trompeta(EB), ni a ruido de palabras(EC) tal, que los que oyeron rogaron que no se les hablara más(ED). 20 Porque ellos no podían soportar el mandato: «Si aun una bestia toca el monte, será apedreada(EE)». 21 Tan terrible era el espectáculo, que Moisés dijo: «Estoy aterrado y temblando(EF)».
22 Ustedes, en cambio, se han acercado al monte Sión(EG) y a la ciudad(EH) del Dios vivo(EI), la Jerusalén celestial(EJ), y a miríadas de ángeles(EK), 23 a la asamblea general[aq] e iglesia de los primogénitos(EL) que están inscritos en los cielos(EM), y a Dios, el Juez de todos(EN), y a los espíritus de los justos hechos ya perfectos(EO), 24 y a Jesús, el mediador del nuevo pacto(EP), y a la sangre rociada(EQ) que habla mejor que la sangre de Abel(ER).
25 Tengan cuidado de no rechazar(ES) a Aquel que habla(ET). Porque si aquellos no escaparon[ar](EU) cuando rechazaron(EV) al que les amonestó[as] sobre la tierra(EW), mucho menos[at] escaparemos nosotros si nos apartamos de Aquel que nos amonesta[au] desde el cielo(EX). 26 Su voz hizo temblar entonces la tierra(EY), pero ahora Él ha prometido, diciendo: «Aún una vez más, Yo haré temblar no solo la tierra, sino también el cielo(EZ)». 27 Y esta expresión: Aún, una vez más, indica la remoción de las cosas movibles(FA), como las cosas creadas, a fin de que permanezcan las cosas que son inconmovibles. 28 Por lo cual, puesto que recibimos un reino que es inconmovible(FB), demostremos[av] gratitud, mediante la cual ofrezcamos a Dios un servicio aceptable(FC) con temor y reverencia; 29 porque nuestro Dios es fuego consumidor(FD).
Footnotes
- 11:2 Lit. testimonio.
- 11:2 O antepasados.
- 11:3 Lit. los siglos.
- 11:4 O por medio de.
- 11:4 I.e. al recibir las ofrendas de Abel.
- 11:4 O por medio de.
- 11:4 Lit. ella.
- 11:7 I.e. la fe.
- 11:9 Lit. con.
- 11:11 Lit. para depositar la simiente.
- 11:13 Lit. saludado.
- 11:13 O expatriados.
- 11:16 Lit. no se avergüenza de ellos, de ser.
- 11:17 O unigénito.
- 11:18 Lit. simiente.
- 11:19 Lit. Considerando.
- 11:19 Lit. en una parábola.
- 11:26 I.e. el Mesías.
- 11:29 Lit. fueron tragados.
- 11:31 Lit. con.
- 11:34 Lit. de la debilidad.
- 11:35 Lit. redención.
- 11:36 Lit. recibieron la prueba de.
- 11:37 Algunos mss. no incluyen: tentados.
- 11:39 Lit. testimonio.
- 11:40 O previsto.
- 12:1 O perseverancia.
- 12:2 Lit. mirando a.
- 12:2 O perfeccionador.
- 12:3 O por parte de.
- 12:3 Lit. sus almas.
- 12:4 Lit. hasta la sangre.
- 12:7 O disciplina.
- 12:9 Lit. de nuestra carne.
- 12:9 O los.
- 12:11 Lit. toda.
- 12:11 Lit. parece no ser.
- 12:11 O pesar.
- 12:11 O adiestrados.
- 12:11 O en.
- 12:12 Lit. enderecen.
- 12:12 O caídas.
- 12:23 O y a miríadas de ángeles en festiva asamblea.
- 12:25 Lit. no escapaban.
- 12:25 O advirtió.
- 12:25 Lit. más.
- 12:25 O advierte.
- 12:28 Lit. tengamos.
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
Nueva Biblia de las Américas™ NBLA™ Copyright © 2005 por The Lockman Foundation