Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁷ You must be patient with discipline. God is dealing with you as his sons and daughters. What child is there that the parent doesn’t discipline? ⁸ If you are left without discipline (we’ve all had our fair share of it!), you are illegitimate, and not true children. ⁹ After all, we had earthly parents who disciplined us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we much rather submit ourselves to the father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰ Our earthly parents disciplined us for a little while, as they judged best; but when he disciplines us it’s for our advantage. It is so that we may share his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems to bring joy at the time, but only sorrow. Later, though, it produces fruit, the peaceful fruit of righteousness, for those who are trained by it.

Watch out for dangers!

¹² So stop letting your hands go slack, and get some energy into your sagging knees! ¹³ Make straight paths for your feet. If you’re lame, make sure you get healed instead of being put out of joint.