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ZEFANIABIBLE_BIBLE_BOOK_NAME_58 bible chapter 12

BIBLE VERSION
ZEFANIABIBLE_BIBLE_BOOK
BIBLE CHAPTER
COMMENTARY
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Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us,
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keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.
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For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won't grow weary and lose heart.
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In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
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And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, or faint when you are reproved by Him;
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for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives.
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Endure it as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline?
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But if you are without discipline-- which all receive-- then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
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Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn't we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?
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For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness.
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No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
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Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,
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and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but healed instead.
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Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness-- without it no one will see the Lord.
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See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.
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And see that there isn't any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal.
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For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn't find any opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears.
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For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm,
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to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them,
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for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned!
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And the appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling.)
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Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering,
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to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,
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to Jesus (mediator of a new covenant), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the [blood] of Abel.
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See that you do not reject the One who speaks; for if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.
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His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.
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Now this expression, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what can be shaken-- that is, created things-- so that what is not shaken might remain.
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Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe;
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for our God is a consuming fire.