Follow the example of Jesus

A large crowd of witnesses

1Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. 2We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side12.2 right side: See the note at 1.3. of God's throne! 3So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up.

4None of you have yet been hurt12.4 hurt: Or “killed”. in your battle against sin. 5But you have forgotten that the Scriptures say to God's children,12.5,6: Job 5.17; Pr 3.11,12 (LXX).

“When the Lord punishes you,

don't make light of it,

and when he corrects you,

don't be discouraged.

6The Lord corrects the people

he loves

and disciplines those

he calls his own.”

7Be patient when you are being corrected! This is how God treats his children. Don't all parents correct their children? 8God corrects all his children, and if he doesn't correct you, then you don't really belong to him. 9Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn't it even better to be given true life by letting our spiritual Father correct us?

10Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best. But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy, as he is. 11It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace.

12Now stand up straight! Stop your knees from shaking12.12: Is 35.3 (LXX). 13and walk a straight path. Then lame people will be healed, instead of getting worse.12.13: Pr 4.26 (LXX).

Warning against turning from God

14Try to live at peace with everyone! Live a clean life. If you don't, you will never see the Lord. 15Make sure that no one misses out on God's wonderful kindness. Don't let anyone become bitter and cause trouble for the rest of you.12.15: Dt 29.18 (LXX). 16Watch out for immoral and ungodly people like Esau, who sold his future blessing12.16 sold his future blessing: As the firstborn son, Esau had certain privileges that were known as a “birthright”. for only one meal.12.16: Gn 25.29-34. 17You know how he later wanted it back. But there was nothing he could do to change things, even though he begged his father and cried.12.17: Gn 27.30-40.

18You have not come to a place like Mount Sinai12.18 a place like Mount Sinai: The Greek text has “a place”, but the writer is referring to the time that the Lord spoke to the people of Israel from Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19.16-25). that can be seen and touched. There is no flaming fire or dark cloud or storm12.18,19: Ex 19.16-22; 20.18-21; Dt 4.11,12; 5.22-27. 19or trumpet sound. The people of Israel heard a voice speak. But they begged it to stop, 20because they could not obey its commands. They were even told to kill any animal that touched the mountain.12.20: Ex 19.12,13. 21The sight was so frightening that Moses said he shook with fear.12.21: Dt 9.19.

22You have now come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is the city of the living God, where thousands and thousands of angels have come to celebrate. 23Here you will find all God's dearest children,12.23 all God's dearest children: The Greek text has “the gathering of the firstborn children”. See the note at 1.6. whose names are written in heaven. And you will find God himself, who judges everyone. Here also are the spirits of those good people who have been made perfect. 24And Jesus is here! He is the one who makes God's new agreement with us, and his sprinkled blood says much better things than the blood of Abel.12.24 blood of Abel: Cain and Abel were the two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain murdered Abel (see Genesis 4.1-16).12.24: Gn 4.10.

25Make sure that you obey the one who speaks to you. The people did not escape, when they refused to obey the one who spoke to them at Mount Sinai. Do you think you can possibly escape, if you refuse to obey the one who speaks to you from heaven?12.25: Ex 20.22. 26When God spoke the first time, his voice shook only the earth. This time he has promised to shake the earth once again, and heaven too.12.26: Hg 2.6 (LXX).

27The words “once again” mean that these created things will some day be shaken and removed. Then what cannot be shaken will last. 28We should be grateful that we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshipping him and by showing him great honour and respect. 29Our God is like a destructive fire!12.29: Dt 4.24.