1Since we are surrounded by so many people whose lives tell us what faith means, let’s get rid of every burden and the sin that easily trips us up. And let's run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
2Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, who started our faith and made it perfect. He endured the cross, not caring about its shame, because of the joy that was waiting for him. And now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne.
3Think about Jesus, who patiently endured such hostility from sinners against himself. This way, you won't get tired and give up.
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet fought to the point of shedding your blood.
5And you have forgotten the encouragement that speaks to you as children: "My child, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, and do not lose heart when he corrects you."
6For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.
7You are enduring this for your training. God is treating you as children. What child is there whose father does not discipline them?
8But if you are not disciplined, which all true children experience, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons and daughters.
9We respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us. Shouldn't we submit even more to the Father of our spirits and live?
10Our earthly fathers disciplined us for a short time, as they thought best. But God disciplines us for our own good, so that we may share in his holiness.
11At the time, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant. Later, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a peaceful harvest of righteousness.
12So strengthen your tired hands and weak knees.
13Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame will not be dislocated but healed.
14Try to live in peace with everyone, and pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
15Be careful that no one fails to receive God’s grace. Watch out that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and corrupt many.
16And make sure that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
17As you know, later when Esau wanted to inherit his father’s blessing, he was rejected. He couldn't change his father’s mind, even though he pleaded with tears.
18You have not come to a mountain that could be touched and was burning with fire, to darkness, gloom, and a storm,
19to a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words. Those who heard it begged that no more words be spoken to them,
20because they could not endure the command, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned."
21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to countless angels in joyful assembly,
23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,
24to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better message than the blood of Abel.
25See to it that you do not refuse the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?
26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."
27The words "once more" indicate the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
29for our God is a consuming fire.