Hebrews · Berean Standard Bible
Hebrews 12 Berean Standard Bible
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
BSB Berean Standard Bible
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
1 Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
1 Τοιγαροῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, δι᾽ ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα,
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 ἀφορῶντες εἰς τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν, ὃς ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς ὑπέμεινε σταυρόν, αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας, ἐν δεξιᾷ τε τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ Θεοῦ κεκάθικεν.
3 Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
3 For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.
3 ἀναλογίσασθε γὰρ τὸν τοιαύτην ὑπομεμενηκότα ὑπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν εἰς αὐτὸν ἀντιλογίαν, ἵνα μὴ κάμητε ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν ἐκλυόμενοι.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
4 You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.
4 Οὔπω μέχρις αἵματος ἀντικατέστητε πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι,
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
5 You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him;
5 καὶ ἐκλέλησθε τῆς παρακλήσεως, ἥτις ὑμῖν ὡς υἱοῖς διαλέγεται· υἱέ μου, μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας Κυρίου, μηδὲ ἐκλύου ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”
6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
6 ὃν γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ Κύριος παιδεύει, μαστιγοῖ δὲ πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται.
7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
7 It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline?
7 εἰ παιδείαν ὑπομένετε, ὡς υἱοῖς ὑμῖν προσφέρεται ὁ Θεός· τίς γάρ ἐστιν υἱὸς ὃν οὐ παιδεύει πατήρ;
8 If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not children.
8 εἰ δὲ χωρίς ἐστε παιδείας, ἧς μέτοχοι γεγόνασι πάντες, ἄρα νόθοι ἐστὲ καὶ οὐχ υἱοί.
9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
9 εἶτα τοὺς μὲν τῆς σαρκὸς ἡμῶν πατέρας εἴχομεν παιδευτὰς καὶ ἐνετρεπόμεθα· οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑποταγησόμεθα τῷ πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων καὶ ζήσομεν;
10 Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.
10 For they indeed for a few days disciplined us as seemed good to them, but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.
10 οἱ μὲν γὰρ πρὸς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν αὐτοῖς ἐπαίδευον, ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον, εἰς τὸ μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ.
11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.
11 All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
11 πᾶσα δὲ παιδεία πρὸς μὲν τὸ παρὸν οὐ δοκεῖ χαρᾶς εἶναι, ἀλλὰ λύπης, ὕστερον δὲ καρπὸν εἰρηνικὸν τοῖς δι᾽ αὐτῆς γεγυμνασμένοις ἀποδίδωσι δικαιοσύνης.
12 Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
12 Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,
12 Διὸ τὰς παρειμένας χεῖρας καὶ τὰ παραλελυμένα γόνατα ἀνορθώσατε,
13 Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
13 καὶ τροχιὰς ὀρθὰς ποιήσατε τοῖς ποσὶν ὑμῶν, ἵνα μὴ τὸ χωλὸν ἐκτραπῇ, ἰαθῇ δὲ μᾶλλον.
14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,
14 Εἰρήνην διώκετε μετὰ πάντων, καὶ τὸν ἁγιασμόν, οὗ χωρὶς οὐδεὶς ὄψεται τὸν Κύριον,
15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
15 looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiled by it,
15 ἐπισκοποῦντες μή τις ὑστερῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ, μή τις ῥίζα πικρίας ἄνω φύουσα ἐνοχλῇ καὶ διὰ ταύτης μιανθῶσι πολλοί,
16 See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.
16 lest there be any sexually immoral person or profane person, like Esau, who sold his birthright for one meal.
16 μή τις πόρνος ἢ βέβηλος ὡς Ἠσαῦ, ὃς ἀντὶ βρώσεως μιᾶς ἀπέδοτο τὰ πρωτοτόκια αὐτοῦ.
17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
17 For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears.
17 ἴστε γὰρ ὅτι καὶ μετέπειτα, θέλων κληρονομῆσαι τὴν εὐλογίαν, ἀπεδοκιμάσθη· μετανοίας γὰρ τόπον οὐχ εὗρε, καίπερ μετὰ δακρύων ἐκζητήσας αὐτήν.
18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;
18 For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, storm,
18 Οὐ γὰρ προσεληλύθατε ψηλαφωμένῳ ὄρει καὶ κεκαυμένῳ πυρὶ καὶ γνόφῳ καὶ σκότῳ καὶ θυέλλῃ
19 to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken.
19 the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them,
19 καὶ σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ καὶ φωνῇ ῥημάτων, ἧς οἱ ἀκούσαντες παρῃτήσαντο μὴ προστεθῆναι αὐτοῖς λόγον·
20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”
20 for they could not stand that which was commanded, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned”.
20 οὐκ ἔφερον γὰρ τὸ διαστελλόμενον· κἂν θηρίον θίγῃ τοῦ ὄρους, λιθοβοληθήσεται·
21 The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
21 So fearful was the appearance that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
21 καί· οὕτω φοβερὸν ἦν τὸ φανταζόμενον! Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν· ἔκφοβός εἰμι καὶ ἔντρομος·
22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels,
22 ἀλλὰ προσεληλύθατε Σιὼν ὄρει καὶ πόλει Θεοῦ ζῶντος, Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐπουρανίῳ, καὶ μυριάσιν ἀγγέλων,
23 in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
23 to the festal gathering and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
23 πανηγύρει καὶ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρωτοτόκων ἐν οὐρανοῖς ἀπογεγραμμένων, καὶ κριτῇ Θεῷ πάντων, καὶ πνεύμασι δικαίων τετελειωμένων,
24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
24 to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.
24 καὶ διαθήκης νέας μεσίτῃ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ κρεῖττον λαλοῦντι παρὰ τὸν Ἄβελ.
25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
25 See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,
25 Βλέπετε μὴ παραιτήσησθε τὸν λαλοῦντα. εἰ γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι οὐκ ἔφυγον τὸν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς παραιτησάμενοι χρηματίζοντα, πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς οἱ τὸν ἀπ᾽ οὐρανῶν ἀποστρεφόμενοι·
26 At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”
26 whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.”
26 οὗ ἡ φωνὴ τὴν γῆν ἐσάλευσε τότε, νῦν δὲ ἐπήγγελται λέγων· ἔτι ἅπαξ ἐγὼ σείω οὐ μόνον τὴν γῆν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν οὐρανόν.
27 The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain.
27 This phrase, “Yet once more” signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.
27 τὸ δὲ ἔτι ἅπαξ δηλοῖ τῶν σαλευομένων τὴν μετάθεσιν ὡς πεποιημένων, ἵνα μείνῃ τὰ μὴ σαλευόμενα.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,
28 Διὸ βασιλείαν ἀσάλευτον παραλαμβάνοντες ἔχωμεν χάριν, δι᾽ ἧς λατρεύωμεν εὐαρέστως τῷ Θεῷ μετὰ αἰδοῦς καὶ εὐλαβείας·
29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”
29 for our God is a consuming fire.
29 καὶ γὰρ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν πῦρ καταναλίσκον.
Cross references (29)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Philippians 2:16; Luke 21:34; Hebrews 10:35–39
- 2 Micah 7:7; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:23–24; Hebrews 1:3; Philippians 1:6
- 3 Galatians 6:9; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Revelation 2:3; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 12:2
- 4 1 Corinthians 10:13; Revelation 2:13; Hebrews 10:32–34; Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 24:9
- 5 Proverbs 3:11–12; Job 5:17–18; Revelation 3:19; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Psalm 94:12
- 6 Revelation 3:19; Proverbs 3:12; Psalm 119:75; Proverbs 13:24; Psalm 94:12
- 7 Proverbs 19:18; Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 29:15; Proverbs 29:17
- 8 Hebrews 12:6; 1 Peter 5:9–10; Psalm 73:1; Psalm 73:14–15
- 9 Numbers 16:22; Numbers 27:16; Isaiah 42:5; John 3:6; Job 12:10
- 10 2 Peter 1:4; Leviticus 11:44–45; Titus 2:14; Ephesians 5:26–27; Ezekiel 36:25–27
- 11 Romans 5:3–5; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:5–6; 1 Peter 1:6; Hebrews 12:10
- 12 Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:3; Job 4:3–4; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Ezekiel 21:7
- 13 Proverbs 4:26–27; Galatians 6:1; Isaiah 35:3; Isaiah 35:6; Isaiah 40:3–4
- 14 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:15–16; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Matthew 5:8–9; 1 Peter 3:11
- 15 Hebrews 3:12; Deuteronomy 29:18; Galatians 5:4; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 2 John 8
- 16 Genesis 25:31–34; 1 Corinthians 6:15–20; Hebrews 13:4; Mark 7:21; Revelation 22:15
- 17 Proverbs 1:24–31; Matthew 25:11–12; Matthew 7:23; Hebrews 6:8; Hebrews 10:26–29
- 18 Deuteronomy 4:11; Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 5:22–26; Exodus 20:18; Romans 6:14
- 19 Deuteronomy 18:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Deuteronomy 4:12; Exodus 20:1–19; Deuteronomy 5:3–22
- 20 Exodus 19:12–13; Deuteronomy 33:2; Galatians 3:10; Galatians 2:19; Exodus 19:16
- 21 Exodus 19:16; Deuteronomy 9:19; Isaiah 6:3–5; Exodus 19:19; Psalm 119:120
- 22 Philippians 3:20; Galatians 4:26; Psalm 48:2; Revelation 14:1; Isaiah 51:11
- 23 James 1:18; Hebrews 11:40; Luke 10:20; Revelation 14:4; Exodus 4:22
- 24 Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 11:28; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:10
- 25 Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 2:1–3; Deuteronomy 30:17; Zechariah 7:11; Proverbs 13:18
- 26 Haggai 2:6–7; Isaiah 13:13; Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 2:19; Joel 3:16
- 27 Matthew 24:35; 1 Corinthians 7:31; Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:10–11; Revelation 11:15
- 28 Romans 12:1–2; Psalm 2:11; Hebrews 13:15; Daniel 2:44; Hebrews 4:16
- 29 Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 9:3; Isaiah 66:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 10:27
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
There are two kinds of consolation, apparently opposed to one another, but yet contributing great strength each to the other; both of which he has here put forward.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
For thus saith the holy Word: "The Lord hath severely chastened me, yet hath not given me over to death." "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." "The righteous," saith it, "shall chasten me in mercy, and reprove me; but let not the oil of sinners make fat my head." And again he …
… between thee and him alone." So too of sins which may create scandal the apostle says, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." For this purpose, and that we may keep that peace without which no man can see the Lord, many precepts are given which carefully inculcate mutual forgiveness; among which we may number that …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
Since, if the Jews, when they were to approach "a mountain that burned, and fire, and blackness, and darkness, and tempest;" --or rather when they were not so much as to approach, but both to see and to hear these things from afar;--were commanded for three days before to abstain from their wives, and to wash their garments, and were …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
For you, brethren, a great crown is laid up: barter not away a great dignity for a petty pleasure: listen to the Apostle speaking: Lest there be any fornicator or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)