Grace and Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 CPDV And as for you, my son, be strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesus, BSB BSB: You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 CPDV and by the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses. These things encourage faithful men, who shall then be suitable to teach others also. BSB BSB: And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
3 CPDV Labor like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. BSB BSB: Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 CPDV No man, acting as a soldier for God, entangles himself in worldly matters, so that he may be pleasing to him for whom he has proven himself. BSB BSB: A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
5 CPDV Then, too, whoever strives in a competition is not crowned, unless he has competed lawfully. BSB BSB: Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 CPDV The farmer who labors ought to be the first to share in the produce. BSB BSB: The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
7 CPDV Understand what I am saying. For the Lord will give you understanding in all things. BSB BSB: Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
8 CPDV Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel. BSB BSB: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,
9 CPDV I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound. BSB BSB: for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
10 CPDV I endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. BSB BSB: For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 CPDV It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him. BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 CPDV If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. BSB BSB: if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 CPDV If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself. BSB BSB: if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
The Lord’s Approved Workman 14 CPDV Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners. BSB BSB: Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
15 CPDV Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly. BSB BSB: Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
16 CPDV But avoid profane or empty talk. For these things advance one greatly in impiety. BSB BSB: But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
17 CPDV And their word spreads like a cancer: among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus, BSB BSB: and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 CPDV who have fallen away from the truth by saying that the resurrection is already complete. And so they have subverted the faith of certain persons. BSB BSB: who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
19 CPDV But the firm foundation of God remains standing, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are his own, and all who know the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. BSB BSB: Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
20 CPDV But, in a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also those of wood and of clay; and certainly some are held in honor, but others in dishonor. BSB BSB: A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.
21 CPDV If anyone, then, will have cleansed himself from these things, he shall be a vessel held in honor, sanctified and useful to the Lord, prepared for every good work. BSB BSB: So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.
22 CPDV So then, flee from the desires of your youth, yet truly, pursue justice, faith, hope, charity, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. BSB BSB: Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 CPDV But avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, for you know that these produce strife. BSB BSB: But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
24 CPDV For the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but instead he must be meek toward everyone, teachable, patient, BSB BSB: And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
25 CPDV correcting with self-restraint those who resist the truth. For at any time God may give them repentance, so as to recognize the truth, BSB BSB: He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
26 CPDV and then they may recover from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his will. BSB BSB: Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.