rsv Hebrews:12:1-15 SEEK
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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 perseverance the race that is set before us ,
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looking to Jesus the pioneer 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 .
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Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself ,
so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted .
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In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood .
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And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons ?-- "
My son ,
do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord ,
nor lose courage when you are punished by him .
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For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves ,
and chastises every son whom he receives ."
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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 ?
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If you are left without discipline ,
in which all have participated ,
then you are illegitimate children and not sons .
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Besides this ,
we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them .
Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live ?
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For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure ,
but he disciplines us for our good ,
that we may share his holiness .
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For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant ;
later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it .
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Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees ,
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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 .
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Strive for peace with all men ,
and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord .
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See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God ;
that no "
root of bitterness "
spring up and cause trouble ,
and by it the many become defiled ;