Hebrews 12:8-29
12:8 But if you do not experience discipline,
something all sons
have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons.
12:9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from
our earthly fathers
and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life?
12:10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.
12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful.
But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness
for those trained by it.
12:12 Therefore,
strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees,
12:13 and
make straight paths for your feet,
so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.
Do Not Reject God’s Warning
12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.
12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled.
12:16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
12:17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears.
12:18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind
12:19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more.
12:20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”
12:21 In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.”
12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly
12:23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect,
12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does.
12:25 Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven?
12:26 Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.”
12:27 Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain.
12:28 So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe.
12:29 For our God is indeed a devouring fire.