Letters to the Churches

quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, had their weakness turned to strength, grew mighty in battle and routed foreign armies.

Women received back their dead resurrected; other people were stretched on the rack and beaten to death, refusing to be ransomed, so that they would gain a better resurrection.

Others underwent the trials of being mocked and whipped, then chained and imprisoned.

They were stoned, sawed in two, murdered by the sword; they went about clothed in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, mistreated,

wandering about in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the ground! The world was not worthy of them!

All of these had their merit attested because of their trusting. Nevertheless, they did not receive what had been promised,

because God had planned something better that would involve us, so that only with us would they be brought to the goal.

So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment — that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement — and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us,

looking away to the Initiator and Completer of that trusting, Yeshua — who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Yes, think about him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you won’t grow tired or become despondent.

You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in the contest against sin.

Also you have forgotten the counsel which speaks with you as sons: “My son, don’t despise the discipline of Adonai or become despondent when he corrects you.

For Adonai disciplines those he loves and whips everyone he accepts as a son.”

Regard your endurance as discipline; God is dealing with you as sons. For what son goes undisciplined by his father?

All legitimate sons undergo discipline; so if you don’t, you’re a mamzer and not a son!

Furthermore, we had physical fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them; how much more should we submit to our spiritual Father and live!

For they disciplined us only for a short time and only as best they could; but he disciplines us in a way that provides genuine benefit to us and enables us to share in his holiness.

Now, all discipline, while it is happening, does indeed seem painful, not enjoyable; but for those who have been trained by it, it later produces its peaceful fruit, which is righteousness.

So, strengthen your drooping arms, and steady your tottering knees;

and make a level path for your feet; so that what has been injured will not get wrenched out of joint but rather will be healed.

Keep pursuing shalom with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

See to it that no one misses out on God’s grace, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and thus contaminates many,

and that no one is sexually immoral, or godless like Esav, who in exchange for a single meal gave up his rights as the firstborn.

For you know that afterwards, when he wanted to obtain his father’s blessing, he was rejected; indeed, even though he sought it with tears, his change of heart was to no avail.

For you have not come to a tangible mountain, to an ignited fire, to darkness, to murk, to a whirlwind,