Grace and Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 UEB You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. BSB BSB: You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 UEB The things you heard from me among many witnesses, entrust them to faithful people who will be able 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 UEB Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. BSB BSB: Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 UEB No soldier serves while entangled in the affairs of this life, so that he may please his superior officer. BSB BSB: A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
5 UEB Also, if someone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes by the rules. BSB BSB: Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 UEB It is necessary that the hardworking farmer receive his share of the crops first. BSB BSB: The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
7 UEB Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. BSB BSB: Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
8 UEB Remember Jesus Christ, from David's seed, who was raised from the dead. This is according to my gospel message, BSB BSB: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,
9 UEB for which I am suffering to the point of being bound with chains as a criminal. 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 UEB Therefore I endure all things for those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal 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 UEB This is a trustworthy saying: "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 UEB If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. BSB BSB: if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
13 UEB if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself." BSB BSB: if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
The Lord’s Approved Workman 14 UEB Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 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 UEB Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no reason to be ashamed, who accurately teaches the word of truth. BSB BSB: Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
16 UEB Avoid profane talk, which leads to more and more godlessness. BSB BSB: But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
17 UEB Their talk will spread like cancer. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, BSB BSB: and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 UEB who have gone astray from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already happened, and they destroy the faith of some. BSB BSB: who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
19 UEB However, the firm foundation of God stands. It has this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his" and "Everyone who names the name of the Lord must depart from unrighteousness." 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 UEB In a wealthy home, there are not only containers of gold and silver. There are also containers of wood and clay. Some of these are for honorable use, and some for dishonorable. 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 UEB If someone cleans himself from dishonorable use, he is an honorable container. He is set apart, useful to the Master, and 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 UEB Flee youthful lusts. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a clean 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 UEB But refuse foolish and ignorant questions. You know that they give birth to arguments. BSB BSB: But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
24 UEB The Lord's servant must not quarrel. Instead he must be gentle toward all, able to teach, and 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 UEB He must in meekness educate those who oppose him. God may perhaps give them repentance for the knowledge of 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 UEB They may become sober again and leave the devil's trap, after they have been captured by him for 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.