Hebrews 12:1-13

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, a let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and b let us run c with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the 1 author and 2 finisher of our faith, d who for the joy that was set before Him e endured the cross, despising the shame, and f has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

3 g For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, h lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 i You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
j "My son, do not despise the 3 chastening of the LORD,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For k whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives." 4

7 l If 5 you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what m son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, n of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to o the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, p that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no 6 chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields q the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore r strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

  1. Cross References
    Colossians 3:8
    But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:24
    Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
    Galatians 2:2
    And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
    Hebrews 10:39
    But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 12:12
    Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
  4. Cross References
    Luke 24:26
    "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 69:7
    Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face.
    Psalms 69:19
    You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; My adversaries are all before You.
    Philippians 2:8
    And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
    Hebrews 2:9
    But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
  6. Cross References
    Psalms 110:1
    The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 10:24
    A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
  8. Cross References
    Galatians 6:9
    And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
    Hebrews 12:5
    And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:13
    No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
  10. Cross References
    Job 5:17
    Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
    Proverbs 3:11
    My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction.
    Proverbs 3:12
    For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 94:12
    Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law.
    Revelation 3:19
    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
  12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 8:5
    You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.
    2 Samuel 7:14
    I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
  13. Cross References
    Proverbs 13:24
    He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
    Proverbs 19:18
    Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.
    Proverbs 23:13
    Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
  14. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:9
    Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
  15. Cross References
    Job 12:10
    In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
  16. Cross References
    Leviticus 11:44
    For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
  17. Cross References
    Isaiah 32:17
    The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
    2 Timothy 4:8
    Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
    James 3:17
    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
    James 3:18
    Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
  18. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:3
    Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.