Dec 22 - Hebrews 12-13
Hebrews
1Furthermore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses over us, let us set aside every burden and sin which may surround us, and advance, through patience, to the struggle offered to us2Let us gaze upon Jesus, as the Author and the completion of our faith, who, having joy laid out before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and who now sits at the right hand of the throne of God3So then, meditate upon him who endured such adversity from sinners against himself, so that you may not become weary, failing in your souls4For you have not yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin5And you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to you like sons, saying: "My son, do not be willing to neglect the discipline of the Lord. Neither should you become weary, while being rebuked by him.6For whomever the Lord loves, he chastises. And every son whom he accepts, he scourges7Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct8But if you are without that discipline in which all have become sharers, then you are of adultery, and you are not sons9Then, too, we have certainly had the fathers of our flesh as instructors, and we reverenced them. Should we not obey the Father of spirits all the more, and so live10And indeed, for a few days and according to their own wishes, they instructed us. But he does so to our benefit, so that we may receive his sanctification11Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it12Because of this, lift up your lazy hands and your lax knees13and straighten the path of your feet, so that no one, being lame, may wander astray, but instead may be healed14Pursue peace with everyone. Pursue sanctity, without which no one shall see God15Be contemplative, lest anyone lack the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up and impede you, and by it, many might be defiled16lest any fornicator or worldly person be like Esau, who, for the sake of one meal, sold his birthright17For you know that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the benediction, he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance, even though he had sought it with tears18But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm19or the sound of a trumpet, or a voice of words. Those who had experienced these things excused themselves, lest the Word be spoken to them20For they could not bear what was said, and so, if even a beast would have touched the mountain, it would have been stoned21And what was seen was so terrible that even Moses said: "I am terrified, and so, I tremble.22But you have drawn near to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels23and to the Church of the first-born, those who have been inscribed in the heavens, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect24and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, and to a sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel25Be careful not to reject the One who is speaking. For if those who rejected him who was speaking upon the earth were not able to escape, so much more we who might turn away from the One who is speaking to us from heaven26Then, his voice moved the earth. But now, he makes a promise, saying: "There is still one more time, and then I will move, not only the earth, but also heaven itself.27And so, in saying, "There is still one more time," he declares the transfer of the moveable things of creation, so that those things which are immoveable may remain28Thus, in receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace. So, through grace, let us be of service, by pleasing God with fear and reverence29For our God is a consuming fire
1May fraternal charity remain in you2And do not be willing to forget hospitality. For by it, certain persons, without realizing it, have received Angels as guests3Remember those who are prisoners, just as if you were imprisoned with them, and those who endure hardships, just as if you were in their place4May marriage be honorable in every way, and may the marriage bed be immaculate. For God will judge fornicators and adulterers5Let your behavior be without avarice; be content with what you are offered. For he himself has said, "I will not abandon you, and I will not neglect you.6So then, we may confidently say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me.7Remember your leaders, who have spoken the Word of God to you, whose faith you imitate, by observing the goal of their way of life8Jesus Christ, yesterday and today; Jesus Christ forever9Do not be led away by changing or strange doctrines. And it is best for the heart to be sustained by grace, not by foods. For the latter have not been as useful to those who walked by them10We have an altar: those who serve in the tabernacle have no authority to eat from it11For the bodies of those animals whose blood is carried into the Holy of holies by the high priest, on behalf of sin, are burned outside the camp12Because of this, Jesus, too, in order to sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered outside the gate13And so, let us go forth to him, outside the camp, bearing his reproach14For in this place, we have no everlasting city; instead, we seek one in the future15Therefore, through him, let us offer the sacrifice of continual praise to God, which is the fruit of lips confessing his name16But do not be willing to forget good works and fellowship. For God is deserving of such sacrifices17Obey your leaders and be subject to them. For they watch over you, as if to render an account of your souls. So then, may they do this with joy, and not with grief. Otherwise, it would not be as helpful to you18Pray for us. For we trust that we have a good conscience, being willing to conduct ourselves well in all things19And I beg you, all the more, to do this, so that I may be quickly returned to you20Then may the God of peace, who led back from the dead that great Pastor of sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the blood of the eternal testament21equip you with all goodness, so that you may do his will. May he accomplish in you whatever is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen22And I beg you, brothers, that you may permit this word of consolation, especially since I have written to you with few words23Know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he arrives soon, then I will see you with him24Greet all your leaders and all the saints. The brothers from Italy greet you25Grace be with you all. Amen