[12:3] Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
[12:4] In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
[12:5] And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
[12:6] For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
[12:7] 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?
[12:8] If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
[12:9] Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
[12:10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
[12:11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
[12:12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
[12:13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
[12:14] Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
[12:15] See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
[12:16] that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
[12:17] For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.