New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
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Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!
10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.
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They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
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No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
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Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
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“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
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Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
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See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.
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See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.
17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
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Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai.
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You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;
19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking.
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to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,
20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”
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because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”
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Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.