Grace and Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 ULT 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 ULT And what you have heard from me through many witnesses, place these things before faithful men 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 ULT Suffer together as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 ULT No one serving as a soldier is entangled in the affairs of life, so that he may please the one having enlisted him. BSB BSB: A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
5 ULT But also, if anyone competes, he is not crowned if he has not competed lawfully. BSB BSB: Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 ULT It is necessary for the hardworking farmer first to share in the fruits. BSB BSB: The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
7 ULT 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 ULT Remember Jesus Christ, having been raised from the dead, from the seed of David, according to my gospel, BSB BSB: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,
9 ULT in which I am suffering, even to chains, like a criminal. But the word of God has not been 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 ULT Because of this, I endure all things because of the elect so that they also may obtain 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 ULT The word{ is} trustworthy:“For if we 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 ULT 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 ULT If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for 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 ULT Remind{ them} of these things, declaring before God not to battle about words;{ it is} useful for nothing, to the destruction of the ones hearing. 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 ULT Strive to present yourself approved to God, a worker not ashamed, cutting the word of truth straight. BSB BSB: Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
16 ULT But avoid profane, empty sayings, for they will advance further in ungodliness, BSB BSB: But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
17 ULT and their word will have a spreading like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, BSB BSB: and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 ULT who have missed the mark concerning the truth, saying the resurrection has already happened, and{ who} overturn 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 ULT Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal:“The Lord knew the ones being his,” and“Let everyone naming the name of the Lord 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 ULT Now in a great house, there are not only gold and silver containers, but also wood and clay, and some for honor and some for 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 ULT Therefore, if someone has cleansed himself from these, he will be a container for honor, having been sanctified, useful to the master, having been 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 ULT But flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with the ones calling on 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 ULT But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, knowing that they give birth to battles. BSB BSB: But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
24 ULT But it is necessary for a slave of the Lord not to battle, but to be gentle toward all, able to teach, 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 ULT in meekness educating the ones opposing. God may perhaps give them repentance for 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 ULT and they may become sober again from the trap of the devil, having been captured by him for the will of that one. 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.