Grace and Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 RV Thou 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 RV And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall 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 RV 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 RV No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. BSB BSB: A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
5 RV And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully. BSB BSB: Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 RV The husbandman that laboureth must be the first to partake of the fruits. BSB BSB: The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
7 RV Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things. BSB BSB: Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
8 RV Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of 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 RV wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; 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 RV Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which 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 RV Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him: BSB BSB: This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 RV if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall 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 RV if we are faithless, he abideth 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 RV Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear. 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 RV Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright 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 RV But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, BSB BSB: But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
17 RV and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; BSB BSB: and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 RV men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow 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 RV Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth 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 RV Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honour, and some unto dishonour. 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 RV If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto 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 RV But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of 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 RV But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes. BSB BSB: But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
24 RV And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, BSB BSB: And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
25 RV in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto 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 RV and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by the Lord’s servant unto the will of God. 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.