The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, alet us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and blet us run cwith endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the 1author and 2finisher of our faith, dwho for the joy that was set before Him eendured the cross, despising the shame, and fhas sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Discipline of God

3 gFor consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, hlest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 iYou 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 3chastening of the Lord,

Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

6 For kwhom the Lord loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”

7 lIf 4you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what mson is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, nof 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 othe 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, pthat we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no 5chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields qthe peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Renew Your Spiritual Vitality

12 Therefore rstrengthen 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.

14 sPursue peace with all people, and holiness, twithout which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone ufall short of the grace of God; lest any vroot of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any wfornicator or 6profane person like Esau, xwho for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was yrejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.