Hebræos 12
1 Ideoque et nos tantam habentes impositam nubem testium, deponentes omne pondus, et circumstans nos peccatum, per patientiam curramus ad propositum nobis certamen:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
2 aspicientes in Auctorem fidei, et consummatorem Iesum, qui proposito sibi gaudio sustinuit crucem, confusione contempta, atque in dextera sedis Dei sedet.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Recogitate enim eum, qui talem sustinuit a peccatoribus adversum semetipsum contradictionem: ut ne fatigemini, animis vestris deficientes.
Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 Nondum enim usque ad sanguinem restitistis, adversus peccatum repugnantes:
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 et obliti estis consolationis, quae vobis tamquam filiis loquitur, dicens: Fili mi, noli negligere disciplinam Domini: neque fatigeris dum ab eo argueris.
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.
6 Quem enim diligit Dominus, castigat: flagellat autem omnem filium, quem recipit.
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”
7 In disciplina perseverate. Tamquam filiis vobis offert se Deus: quis enim filius, quem non corripit pater?
Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
8 Quod si extra disciplinam estis, cuius participes facti sunt omnes: ergo adulteri, et non filii estis.
If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9 Deinde patres quidem carnis nostrae, eruditores habuimus, et reverebamur eos. non multo magis obtemperabimus Patri spirituum, et vivemus?
Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
10 Et illi quidem in tempore paucorum dierum, secundum voluntatem suam erudiebant nos: hic autem ad id, quod utile est in recipiendo sanctificationem eius.
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.
11 Omnis autem disciplina in praesenti quidem videtur non esse gaudii, sed moeroris: postea autem fructum pacatissimum exercitatis per eam, reddet iustitiae.
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.
12 Propter quod remissas manus, et soluta genua, erigite,
Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.
13 et gressus rectos facite pedibus vestris: ut non claudicans quis erret, magis autem sanetur.
Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
14 Pacem sequimini cum omnibus, et sanctimoniam, sine qua nemo videbit Deum:
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
15 contemplantes nequis desit gratiae Dei: nequa radix amaritudinis sursum germinans impediat, et per illam inquinentur multi.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
16 Ne quis fornicator, aut profanus ut Esau: qui propter unam escam vendidit primitiva sua:
See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.
17 scitote enim quoniam et postea cupiens hereditare benedictionem, reprobatus est: non enim invenit poenitentiae locum, quamquam cum lacrymis inquisisset eam.
For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
18 Non enim accessistis ad tractabilem montem, et accessibilem ignem, et turbinem, et caliginem, et procellam,
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;
19 et tubae sonum, et vocem verborum, quam qui audierunt, excusaverunt se, ne eis fieret verbum.
to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken.
20 Non enim portabant quod dicebatur: Et si bestia tetigerit montem, lapidabitur.
For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”
21 Et ita terribile erat quod videbatur. Moyses dixit: Exterritus sum, et tremebundus.
The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
22 Sed accessistis ad Sion montem, et civitatem Dei viventis, Ierusalem caelestem, et multorum millium Angelorum frequentiam,
Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels
23 et Ecclesiam primitivorum, qui conscripti sunt in caelis, et iudicem omnium Deum, et spiritum iustorum perfectorum,
in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 et testamenti novi mediatorem Iesum, et sanguinis aspersionem melius loquentem quam Abel.
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 Videte ne recusetis loquentem. Si enim illi non effugerunt, recusantes eum, qui super terram loquebatur: multo magis nos, qui de caelis loquentem nobis avertimus.
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
26 cuius vox movit terram tunc: nunc autem repromittit, dicens: Adhuc semel: et ego movebo non solum terram, sed et caelum.
At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”
27 Quod autem, Adhuc semel, dicit: declarat mobilium translationem tamquam factorum, ut maneant ea, quae sunt immobilia.
The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain.
28 Itaque regnum immobile suscipientes, habemus gratiam: per quam serviamus placentes Deo, cum metu et reverentia.
Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
29 Etenim Deus noster ignis consumens est.
“For our God is a consuming fire.”
