Chapter 12 – Chapter 13

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

1 Therefore, as we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, laying aside every weight, and the sin which besets us, let us also run with patience in the race set before us,

2 Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, having despised shame, and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God:

3 For consider who he was who endured from sinners such contradiction against himself,

4 That ye may not be wearied, being faint in your souls; ye have not as yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor be faint when thou art reproved by him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth; and he 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, of which all [sons] are partakers, then ye are bastards, and not sons.

9 Since we had the fathers of our flesh as our chastisers, and we reverenced them, shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they indeed for a few days chastised us according to their own will: but he for our benefit, that he may impart to us his holiness.

11 But no chastening seems indeed for the present to be joyful, but grievous; yet afterwards it renders the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are by it exercised.

12 Raise ye up, therefore, the remiss hands, and the relaxed knees,

13 And make straight paths for your feet, that halting may not lead you astray, but rather that it may be healed.

14 Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord;

15 Taking heed, lest any one should come short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness, growing up, should disturb you, and many be through it defiled;

16 Lest there should be any fornicator or a profane person, like Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright:

17 For ye know that when afterwards he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears.

18 For we have not come to the mount that might be touched, and to the burning fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And to the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they having heard entreated that the word should not be proclaimed to them;

20 For they could not bear what was enjoined, “If a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or pierced through with a dart;”

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I fear and tremble.”

22 But ye have come to Mount Sion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of innumerable angels,

23 And to the Church of the first­born, who 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 Testament, and the blood of sprinkling, which speaks better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye despise not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who despised him who spoke on earth, how much less we, if we turn away from him who speaks from heaven?

26 Whose voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once I shake, not only the earth, but also heaven:”

27 And this, “Set once,” signifies the removal of the things shaken, that the things unshaken might remain.

28 Hence we, who receive a kingdom which is not shaken, have grace, by which we serve God acceptably with reverence and fear:

29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not unmindful of hospitality; for by this some have unawares received angels.

3 Remember those in bonds, as bound with them, and the afflicted, as ye yourselves are in the body.

4 Honorable is marriage in all, and the unpolluted bed; but fornicators and adulterers God will condemn.

5 Let your conduct be without avarice; be content with what ye have; for he has said, “I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee;”

6 So that we may confidently say, “The Lord is to me a helper, nor will I fear what man may do to me.”

7 Remember those who are set over you, who have spoken to you the Word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct.

8 Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, is even the same for ever;

9 Be not carried about by various and foreign doctrines; for it is good that the heart should be strengthened by grace, not by meats, which have not profited those who have been conversant in them.

10 We have an altar, from which they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle.

11 For the beasts, whose blood for sin is brought by the high priest into the holiest, their bodies are burnt without the camp.

12 Hence Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the camp.

13 Let us then go forth to him without the gate, bearing his reproach.

14 For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him, then, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name:

16 But to do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey those who are set over you, and be submissive; for they watch for your souls, as those who are to render an account; so that they may do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable to you.

18 Pray for us; for we trust that we have a good conscience, desiring in all things to live honestly:

19 But I beseech you the more to do this, that I may the sooner be restored to you.

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great pastor of the sheep in the blood of the eternal covenant,

21 Even our Lord Jesus, confirm you in every good work, that ye may do his will, doing in you what is acceptable before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 But I beseech you, brethren, bear the word of exhortation; for a few words have I written to you.

23 Know ye that brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he comes shortly, I shall see you.

24 Salute all those who are set over you, and all the saints; they from Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

WRITTEN TO THE HEBREWS FROM ITALY BY TIMOTHY