Study Desk

Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, and throwing off everything that hinders us and especially the sin that so easily entanglesdistracts">[fn] us, let us keep running with endurance the race set before us,Romans 12:12; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:13-14; Colossians 3:8; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Peter 2:1;">[xr]

looking off to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view ofinstead">[fn] the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Psalm 110:1; Luke 24:26; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 1:3,13; 8:1; 1 Peter 1:11; 3:22;">[xr]

Think about the one who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you may not become tired and give up.Matthew 10:24-25; John 15:20; Galatians 6:9;">[xr]

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding yourthe point of shedding your">[fn] blood.1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 10:32-34;">[xr]

You have forgotten the encouragement that is addressed to you as sons:Job 1:5:17; Proverbs 3:11;">[xr] "My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline or give up when you are corrected by him.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,Psalm 94:12; 119:75; Proverbs 3:12; James 1:12; Revelation 3:19;">[xr] and he punisheswhips">[fn] every son he accepts."Proverbs 3:11-12">[fn]

What you endure is for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline?Deuteronomy 8:5; 2 Samuel 7:14; Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 23:13;">[xr]

Now if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not his sons.Psalm 73:1; 1 Peter 5:9;">[xr]

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who used to discipline us, and we respected them for it. We should even more submit to the Father of our spirits and live, shouldn't we?Numbers 16:22; 27:16; Job 1:12:10; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Isaiah 42:5; 57:16; Zechariah 12:1;">[xr]

For a short time they disciplined us as they thought best, but he does it for our good, so that we may share in his holiness.Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16;">[xr]

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.James 3:18;">[xr]

Therefore, strengthen your tired arms and your weak knees,Job 1:4:3-4; Isaiah 35:3;">[xr]

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not become worse but rather be healed.Proverbs 4:26-27; Galatians 6:1;">[xr]

Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.Psalm 34:14; Matthew 5:8; Romans 12:18; 14:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:5; 2 Timothy 2:22;">[xr]

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up and causes you trouble, or many of you will become defiled.Deuteronomy 29:18; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 5:4; Hebrews 3:12;">[xr]

No one should be immoral or godless like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.Genesis 25:33; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3;">[xr]

For you know that afterwards, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he could not find any opportunity to repent, even though he begged for it with tears.Genesis 27:34,36, 38; Hebrews 6:6;">[xr]

For you have not come to somethingto a mountain">[fn] that can be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, to gloom,Exodus 19:12,18-19; 20:18; Deuteronomy 4:11; 5:22; Romans 6:14; 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7;">[xr]

to a trumpet's blast, or to a voice that made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them.Exodus 20:19; Deuteronomy 5:5,25; 18:16;">[xr]

For they could not endure the command that was given: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death."Exodus 19:12-13">[fn]Exodus 19:13;">[xr]

Indeed, the sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."Deuteronomy 9:19">[fn]Exodus 19:16;">[xr]

Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to tens of thousands of angels joyfully gathered together,Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Galatians 4:26; Philippians 3:20; Jude 1:14; Revelation 3:12;">[xr]

to the assemblychurch">[fn] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to a judge who is the God of all, to the spirits of righteous people who have been made perfect,Genesis 18:25; Exodus 4:22; Psalm 94:2; Luke 10:20; Philippians 3:12; 4:3; Hebrews 11:40; James 1:18; Revelation 13:8; 14:4;">[xr]

to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better message than Abel's.Genesis 4:10; Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 10:22; 11:4; 1 Peter 1:2;">[xr]

See to it that you do not ignore the one who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they ignored the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escapeescape">[fn] if we turn away from the one who is from heaven!Hebrews 2:2-3; 3:17; 10:28-29;">[xr]

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven."Exodus 19:18">[fn]Exodus 19:18; Haggai 2:6;">[xr]

The expression "once more" signifies the removal of what can be shaken, that is, what he has made, so that what cannot be shaken may remain.Psalm 102:26; Matthew 24:35; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1;">[xr]

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and worship God in reverence and fear in a way that pleases him.

For our God is an all-consuming fire.Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; Psalm 50:3; 97:3; Isaiah 66:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 10:27;">[xr]