Study Desk

Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let's ^(C1)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let's ^(C2)run with ^(C3)endurance the race that is set before us,

looking only at Jesus, the ^(F1)(C1)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him ^(C2)endured the cross, ^(C3)despising the shame, and has ^(C4)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For ^(C1)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary ^(F1)(C2)and lose heart.

^(C1)You have not yet resisted ^(F1)(C2)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;

and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "^(C1)MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR ^(C2)FAINT WHEN YOU ARE PUNISHED BY HIM;

^(C1)FOR ^(C2)WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACCEPTS."

It is for discipline that you endure; ^(C1)God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

But if you are without discipline, ^(C1)of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Furthermore, we had ^(F1)earthly fathers to discipline us, and we ^(C1)respected them; shall we not much more be subject to ^(C2)the Father of ^(F2)spirits, and ^(C3)live?

For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, ^(C1)so that we may share His holiness.

^(C1)For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the ^(C2)peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Therefore, ^(F1)(C1)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,

and ^(C1)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather ^(C2)be healed.

^(C1)Pursue peace with all people, and the ^(C2)holiness without which no one will ^(C3)see the Lord.

See to it that no one ^(C1)comes short of the grace of God; that no ^(C2)root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become ^(C3)defiled;

that there be no ^(C1)sexually immoral or ^(C2)godless person like Esau, ^(C3)who sold his own birthright for a single meal.

For you know that even afterward, ^(C1)when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

^(C1)For you have not come to ^(C2)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,

and to the ^(C1)blast of a trumpet and the ^(C2)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard ^(C3)begged that no further word be spoken to them.

For they could not ^(F1)cope with the command, "^(C1)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "^(C1)I am terrified and trembling."

But ^(C1)you have come to Mount Zion and to ^(C2)the city of ^(C3)the living God, ^(C4)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to ^(C5)myriads of ^(F1)angels,

to the general assembly and ^(C1)church of the firstborn who ^(C2)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, ^(C3)the Judge of all, and to the ^(C4)spirits of the righteous made perfect,

and to Jesus, the ^(C1)mediator of a new covenant, and to the ^(C2)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than ^(C3)the blood of Abel.

^(C1)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is ^(C2)speaking. For ^(C3)if those did not escape when they ^(C4)refused him who ^(C5)warned them on earth, ^(F1)much less will we escape who turn away from Him who ^(C5)warns us from heaven.

And ^(C1)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "^(C2)YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN."

This expression, "Yet once more," denotes ^(C1)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we receive a ^(C1)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let's ^(F1)show gratitude, by which we may ^(C2)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

for ^(C1)our God is a consuming fire.