the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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New American Standard Bible
Hebrews 12
Jesus, the Example
1 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,2 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.
3 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.
A Father's Discipline
4 (C1)You have not yet resisted (F1)(C2)to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;5 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;
6 (C1)FOR (C2)WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACCEPTS."
12 Therefore, (F1)(C1)strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,13 and (C1)make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather (C2)be healed.
14 (C1)Pursue peace with all people, and the (C2)holiness without which no one will (C3)see the Lord.15 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;16 that there be no (C1)sexually immoral or (C2)godless person like Esau, (C3)who sold his own birthright for a single meal.17 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.
Contrast of Sinai and Zion
18 (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,19 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.20 For they could not (F1)cope with the command, "(C1)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "(C1)I am terrified and trembling."22 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,23 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,24 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.
The Unshaken Kingdom
25 (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.26 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."27 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.28 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;29 for (C1)our God is a consuming fire.
New American Standard Bible
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