Bible-Reading.comHebrews 12
1Let *us* also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us,
2looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3For consider well him who endured so great contradiction from sinners against himself, that ye be not weary, fainting in your minds.
4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, wrestling against sin.
5And ye have quite forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when reproved by him;
6for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.
7Ye endure for chastening, God conducts himself towards you as towards sons; for who is the son that the father chastens not?
8But if ye are without chastening, of which all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9Moreover we have had the fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we reverenced them; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?
10For they indeed chastened for a few days, as seemed good to them; but he for profit, in order to the partaking of his holiness.
11But no chastening at the time seems to be matter of joy, but of grief; but afterwards yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those exercised by it.
12Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the failing knees;
13and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned aside; but that rather it may be healed.
14Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord:
15watching lest there be any one who lacks the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it;
16lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright;
17for ye know that also afterwards, desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, (for he found no place for repentance) although he sought it earnestly with tears.
18For ye have not come to the mount that might be touched and was all on fire, and to obscurity, and darkness, and tempest,
19and trumpet's sound, and voice of words; which they that heard, excusing themselves, declined the word being addressed to them any more:
20(for they were not able to bear what was enjoined: And if a beast should touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;
21and, so fearful was the sight, Moses said, I am exceedingly afraid and full of trembling;)
22but ye have come to mount Zion; and to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem; and to myriads of angels,
23the universal gathering; and to the assembly of the firstborn who are registered in heaven; and to God, judge of all; and to the spirits of just men made perfect;
24and to Jesus, mediator of a new covenant; and to the blood of sprinkling, speaking better than Abel.
25See that ye refuse not him that speaks. For if those did not escape who had refused him who uttered the oracles on earth, much more we who turn away from him who does so from heaven:
26whose voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, saying, Yet once will *I* shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.
27But this Yet once, signifies the removing of what is shaken, as being made, that what is not shaken may remain.
28Wherefore let us, receiving a kingdom not to be shaken, have grace, by which let us serve God acceptably with reverence and fear.
29For also our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 13
1Let brotherly love abide.
2Be not forgetful of hospitality; for by it some have unawares entertained angels.
3Remember prisoners, as bound with them; those that are evil-treated, as being yourselves also in the body.
4Let marriage be held every way in honour, and the bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers will God judge.
5Let your conversation be without love of money, satisfied with your present circumstances; for *he* has said, I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.
6So that, taking courage, we may say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid: what will man do unto me?
7Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith.
8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and to the ages to come.
9Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the heart be confirmed with grace, not meats; those who have walked in which have not been profited by them.
10We have an altar of which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle;
11for of those beasts whose blood is carried as sacrifices for sin into the holy of holies by the high priest, of these the bodies are burned outside the camp.
12Wherefore also Jesus, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate:
13therefore let us go forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach:
14for we have not here an abiding city, but we seek the coming one.
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of the lips confessing his name.
16But of doing good and communicating of your substance be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for *they* watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us: for we persuade ourselves that we have a good conscience, in all things desirous to walk rightly.
19But I much more beseech you to do this, that I may the more quickly be restored to you.
20But the God of peace, who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, in the power of the blood of the eternal covenant,
21perfect you in every good work to the doing of his will, doing in you what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for the ages of ages. Amen.
22But I beseech you, brethren, bear the word of exhortation, for it is but in few words that I have written to you.
23Know that our brother Timotheus is set at liberty; with whom, if he should come soon, I will see you.
24Salute all your leaders, and all the saints. They from Italy salute you.
25Grace be with you all. Amen.