Hebrews 12 Geneva Bible (1599)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- Original 16th-century spelling.
GNV Geneva Bible (1599)
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 Wherefore, let vs also, seeing that we are compassed with so great a cloude of witnesses, cast away euery thing that presseth downe, and the sinne that hangeth so fast on: let vs runne with patience the race that is set before vs,
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 Looking vnto Iesus the authour and finisher of our faith, who for the ioy that was set before him, endured the crosse, and despised the shame, and is set 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 therefore him that endured such speaking against of sinners, lest ye should be wearied and faint in your mindes.
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 Ye haue not yet resisted vnto blood, striuing against sinne.
4 You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.
4 Οὔπω μέχρις αἵματος ἀντικατέστητε πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι,
5 And ye haue forgotten the consolation, which speaketh vnto you as vnto children, My sonne, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him.
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 whom the Lord loueth, he chasteneth: and he scourgeth euery sonne that he receiueth:
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 If ye endure chastening, God offereth him selfe vnto you as vnto sonnes: for what sonne is it whom the father chasteneth not?
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 therefore ye be without correction, whereof al are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sonnes.
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 Moreouer we haue had the fathers of our bodies which corrected vs, and we gaue them reuerence: should we not much rather be in subiection vnto the father of spirites, that we might liue?
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 For they verely for a few dayes chastened vs after their owne pleasure: but he chasteneth vs for our profite, that we might be partakers of his holinesse.
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 Now no chastising for the present seemeth to be ioyous, but, grieuous: but afterwarde, it bringeth the quiet fruite of righteousnesse, vnto them which are thereby exercised.
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 Wherfore lift vp your hands which hang downe, and your weake 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 And make straight steppes vnto your feete, lest that which is halting, be turned out of the way, but let it rather be 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 Followe peace with all men, and holinesse, without the which no man shall see ye 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 Take heede, that no man fall away from the grace of God: let no roote of bitternes spring vp and trouble you, lest thereby many be defiled.
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 Let there be no fornicator, or prophane person as Esau, which for one portion of meate solde 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 ye knowe howe that afterwarde also when he woulde haue inherited the blessing, he was reiected: for he founde no place to repentance, though he sought that blessing with teares.
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 ye are not come vnto the mount that might be touched, nor vnto burning fire, nor to blacknes and darkenes, and tempest,
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 Neither vnto the sounde of a trumpet, and the voyce of wordes, which they that heard it, excused themselues, that the word should not be spoken to them any more,
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 were not able to abide that which was commanded, yea, though a beast touche the mountaine, it shalbe stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
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 And so terrible was the sight which appeared, that Moses said, I feare and quake.)
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 But ye are come vnto the mount Sion, and to the citie of the liuing God, the celestiall Hierusalem, and to ye company of innumerable 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 And to the assemblie and congregation of the first borne, which are written in heauen, and to God the iudge of all, and to the spirits of iust and perfite men,
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 And to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that 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 that ye despise not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not which refused him, that spake on earth: much more shall we not escape, if we turne away from him, that speaketh from heauen.
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 Whose voyce then shooke the earth and nowe hath declared, saying, Yet once more will I shake, not the earth onely, but also heauen.
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 And this worde, Yet once more, signifieth the remouing of those things which are shaken, as of things which are made with hands, that the things which are not shaken, may remaine.
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 Wherefore seeing we receiue a kingdome, which cannot be shaken, let vs haue grace whereby we may so serue God, that we may please him with reuerence and feare.
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 euen 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)