Common English Bible CEB
English Standard Version ESV
1 So then let's also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let's throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up,
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith's pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God's throne.
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looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won't be discouraged and you won't give up.
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Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
4 In your struggle against sin, you haven't resisted yet to the point of shedding blood,
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In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 and you have forgotten the encouragement that addresses you as sons and daughters: My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline or give up when you are corrected by him,
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And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 because the Lord disciplines whomever he loves, and he punishes every son or daughter whom he accepts.
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For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. ”
7 Bear hardship for the sake of discipline. God is treating you like sons and daughters! What child isn't disciplined by his or her father?
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It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 But if you don't experience discipline, which happens to all children, then you are illegitimate and not real sons and daughters.
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If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 What's more, we had human parents who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live?
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Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
10 Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed best to them, but God does it for our benefit so that we can share his holiness.
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For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
11 No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.
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For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12 So strengthen your drooping hands and weak knees!
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Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
13 Make straight paths for your feet so that if any part is lame, it will be healed rather than injured more seriously.
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and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
14 Pursue the goal of peace along with everyone—and holiness as well, because no one will see the Lord without it.
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Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
15 Make sure that no one misses out on God's grace. Make sure that no root of bitterness grows up that might cause trouble and pollute many people.
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See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
16 Make sure that no one becomes sexually immoral or ungodly like Esau. He sold his inheritance as the oldest son for one meal.
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that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
17 You know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he couldn't find a way to change his heart and life, though he looked for it with tears.
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For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
18 You haven't drawn near to something that can be touched: a burning fire, darkness, shadow, a whirlwind,
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For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
19 a blast of a trumpet, and a sound of words that made the ones who heard it beg that there wouldn't be one more word.
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and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.
20 They couldn't stand the command, If even a wild animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.
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For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned. ”
21 The sight was so frightening that Moses said, "I'm terrified and shaking!"
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Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear. ”
22 But you have drawn near to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, to countless angels in a festival gathering,
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But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
23 to the assembly of God's firstborn children who are registered in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect,
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and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than Abel's blood.
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and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you don't resist the one who is speaking. If the people didn't escape when they refused to listen to the one who warned them on earth, how will we escape if we reject the one who is warning from heaven?
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See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.
26 His voice shook the earth then, but now he has made a promise: Still once more I will shake not only the earth but heaven also.
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At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. ”
27 The words "still once more" reveal the removal of what is shaken—the things that are part of this creation—so that what isn't shaken will remain.
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This phrase, “Yet once more, ” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that can't be shaken, let's continue to express our gratitude. With this gratitude, let's serve in a way that is pleasing to God with respect and awe,
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Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
29 because our God really is a consuming fire.
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for our God is a consuming fire.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025