Grace and Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1–3)
1 WBS Thou therefore, my son, be strong 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 WBS And the things that 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 WBS Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 WBS No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. BSB BSB: A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
5 WBS And if a man also striveth for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he striveth lawfully. BSB BSB: Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.
6 WBS The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. BSB BSB: The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
7 WBS Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. BSB BSB: Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
8 WBS Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised 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 WBS In which I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, even to bonds; 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 WBS Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may also 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 WBS It is a faithful saying: For if we are dead 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 WBS If we suffer, we shall 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 WBS If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. BSB BSB: if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
The Lord’s Approved Workman 14 WBS Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 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 WBS Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing 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 WBS But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness. BSB BSB: But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
17 WBS And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; BSB BSB: and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 WBS 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 WBS Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ 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 WBS But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to 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 WBS If a man therefore will cleanse himself from these, he will be a vessel to honor, sanctified and meet for the master's use, and prepared to 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 WBS Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, 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 WBS But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they gender contentions. BSB BSB: But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
24 WBS And the servant of the Lord must not contend; but be gentle to all men , apt 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 WBS In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging 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 WBS And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him 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.