Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won't grow weary and give up.

3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

4In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him,

5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

6for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.

6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

8But if you are without discipline--which all receive--then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

9Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn't we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?

9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?

10For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.

10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

11No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,

12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,

13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

14Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness--without it no one will see the Lord.

14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

15Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.

15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

16And make sure that there isn't any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal.

16that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

17For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn't find any opportunity for repentance.

17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

18For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm,

18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest

19to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them,

19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.

20for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.

20For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”

21The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear.

21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”

22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering,

22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,

23to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,

23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.

24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.

25See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

26His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.

26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

27This expression, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what is not shaken might remain.

27This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.

28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,

28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

29for our God is a consuming fire.

29for our God is a consuming fire.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.