Hebrews 12:3-17
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so
that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you
have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children —
"My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
or lose heart when you are punished by him;
for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves,
and chastises every child whom he accepts."
Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as
children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If
you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are
illegitimate and not his children. Moreover, we had human parents to
discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing
to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us
for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our
good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now, discipline always
seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the
peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and
make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out
of joint, but rather be healed.
Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see
the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no
root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many
become defiled. See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and
godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that
later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he
found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears.
