Veritable King James Version
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him.
6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every child whom He receives.”
7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as children. For what child is there whom his father does not discipline?
8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not true children.
9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.
11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
16that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
17For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
18For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
19and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.
20For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”
21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”
22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
23and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns from heaven.
26At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”
27This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
29for our God is a consuming fire. Chapter 13 The Epistle to the Hebrews, Chapter 13 – VKJV
Translation notes
“Therefore” (Τοίνυν): Conjunction linking to chapter 11’s faith exemplars; inferential, building exhortation. Theological implication: Witnesses inspire perseverance (cf. Hebrews 11:39-40). “Surrounded by… cloud of witnesses” (ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν… νέφος μαρτύρων): Present participle ἔχοντες, possessing; περικείμενον present middle participle, encircling; νέφος “cloud” metaphorical for multitude (cf. Daniel 7:13); μαρτύρων genitive, testifiers (cf. Hebrews 12:24). Gender-neutral “we” inclusive. “Lay aside every weight” (ἀποθέμενοι πάντα ὄγκον): Aorist middle participle ἀποθέμενοι, put off; ὄγκον “bulk” or “hindrance,” athletic metaphor (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27). “Sin which clings so closely” (ἁμαρτίαν εὐπερίστατον): Εὐπερίστατον “easily ensnaring,” compound adjective; ἁμαρτίαν accusative, specific sin of unbelief/apostasy in context. “Run with endurance” (τρέχωμεν δι’ ὑπομονῆς): Present subjunctive τρέχωμεν hortatory, ongoing race; ὑπομονῆς genitive, patient persistence (cf. Hebrews 10:36). “Race… set before us” (τὸν… ἀγῶνα): Accusative, contest; προκείμενον present middle participle, lying ahead. “Looking to Jesus” (ἀφορῶντες εἰς… Ἰησοῦν): Present participle ἀφορῶντες, fixing eyes; founder (ἀρχηγόν) “pioneer” or “author,” perfecter (τελειωτήν) “completer.” Capitalized “Jesus,” “Him,” “Himself” as deity. “Our faith” (τῆς πίστεως): Genitive, faith’s system or personal trust. “For the joy… set before Him” (ἀντὶ τῆς… χαρᾶς): Prepositional ἀντί “instead of” or “for sake of”; προκειμένης present middle participle, proffered joy (cf. Philippians 2:8-9). “Endured the cross” (ὑπέμεινεν σταυρόν): Aorist, bore; despising (ὑπεριδών) aorist participle, scorning. “Is seated” (κεκάθικεν): Perfect indicative, enduring session (cf. Psalm 110:1, Hebrews 1:3). “Throne of God” (θρόνου τοῦ Θεοῦ): Genitive, divine authority. “Consider” (ἀναλογίσασθε): Aorist imperative middle, ponder; “endured… hostility” (ὑπομεμενηκότα… ἀντιλογίαν) perfect participle ὑπομεμενηκότα, sustained opposition. “From sinners” (ὑπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν): Agency, by sinners. “Grow weary or fainthearted” (μὴ κάμητε… ἐκλυόμενοι): Aorist subjunctive κάμητε negation, tire; present passive participle ἐκλυόμενοι, discouraged. Theological: Jesus as ultimate exemplar (cf. Isaiah 53:3-7, 1 Peter 2:23).
“Struggle against sin” (ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι τὴν ἁμαρτίαν): Present middle participle ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι, contending; ἁμαρτίαν accusative, opposition to sin (or personified Sin). “Not yet resisted… blood” (οὔπω… ἀντικατέστητε… αἷμα): Aorist ἀντικατέστητε, opposed; μέχρις αἵματος “unto blood,” martyrdom level (cf. Hebrews 12:2). “Have you forgotten” (ἐκλέλησθε): Perfect middle indicative, completely overlooked. “Exhortation… addresses” (παρακλήσεως ἥτις διαλέγεται): Present middle διαλέγεται, speaks as; quote from Proverbs 3:11-12 (LXX). “My son” (Υἱέ μου): Vocative, inclusive but retains singular for proverb; “regard lightly” (μὴ ὀλιγώρει) present imperative negation, despise. Capitalized “Lord,” “Him,” “He” for God. “Discipline” (παιδείας): Noun, training or correction; “be weary” (μὴ ἐκλύου) present imperative negation, faint. “Disciplines… loves” (παιδεύει… ἀγαπᾷ): Present indicative, ongoing; “chastises” (μαστιγοῖ), scourges. “Every child… receives” (πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται): Present middle παραδέχεται, accepts. Gender-neutral “child” for υἱόν where context allows. “For discipline… endure” (εἰς παιδείαν ὑπομένετε): Present indicative ὑπομένετε, persevere. “Treating… children” (προσφέρεται… υἱοῖς): Present middle προσφέρεται, deals; υἱοῖς “sons,” rendered “children” inclusively. “What child… does not discipline” (τίς υἱὸς ὃν οὐ παιδεύει πατήρ): Present indicative παιδεύει, rhetorical. “Left without discipline” (χωρὶς… παιδείας): Prepositional, exempt; “participated” (μετέσχηκαν) perfect indicative, shared. “Illegitimate… not true children” (νόθοι… οὐχ υἱοί): Adjectives, bastards vs. legitimate. “Earthly fathers” (πατέρας… σαρκὸς): Fleshly, human; “respected” (ἐνετρεπόμεθα) imperfect passive, held in awe. “Be subject” (ὑποταγησόμεθα): Future passive subjunctive, submit; “Father of spirits” (Πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων), God as life-giver (cf. Numbers 16:22); “live” (ζήσωμεν) aorist subjunctive. “For a short time” (πρὸς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας): Brief period; “as it seemed best” (κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν), according to judgment. “For our good” (ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον): Beneficial; “share… holiness” (μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ) aorist infinitive, partake (cf. 2 Peter 1:4). “For the moment” (πρὸς μὲν τὸ παρὸν): Presently; “seems painful” (δοκεῖ… λύπης), present indicative. “Yields… fruit” (ἀποδίδωσιν… καρπὸν): Present, produces; “peaceful… righteousness” (εἰρηνικὸν… δικαιοσύνης). “Those who have been trained” (τοῖς… γεγυμνασμένοις): Perfect passive participle γεγυμνασμένοις, exercised (cf. 1 Timothy 4:7). Theological: Discipline as paternal love, yielding maturity (cf. Deuteronomy 8:5, Revelation 3:19).
“Lift… drooping hands” (ἀνορθώσατε… χεῖρας): Aorist imperative ἀνορθώσατε, straighten; παρειμένας perfect passive participle, slackened (cf. Isaiah 35:3 LXX). “Strengthen… weak knees” (γονάτων παραλελυμένων): Perfect passive participle παραλελυμένων, paralyzed. “Make straight paths” (τροχιὰς ὀρθὰς ποιεῖτε): Present imperative ποιεῖτε, create; ὀρθάς “level” (Proverbs 4:26 LXX). “What is lame… put out of joint” (τὸ χωλὸν… ἐκτραπῇ): Present subjunctive ἐκτραπῇ negation, dislocated; χωλόν “limping,” metaphorical for weak faith. “Be healed” (ἰαθῇ): Aorist passive subjunctive, cured. “Strive for peace” (εἰρήνην διώκετε): Present imperative διώκετε, pursue (cf. Romans 12:18); “with everyone” (μετὰ πάντων), inclusive. “Holiness” (ἁγιασμόν): Sanctification; “without which… see” (οὗ χωρὶς… ὄψεται) future middle ὄψεται, behold Lord (cf. Matthew 5:8). Capitalized “Lord.” “See to it” (ἐπισκοποῦντες): Present participle, oversee; “fails to obtain” (ὑστερῶν) present participle, fall short. “Grace of God” (χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ): Genitive, divine favor. “Root of bitterness” (ῥίζα πικρίας): From Deuteronomy 29:18, metaphorical apostasy; “springs up” (ἀνύουσα) present participle, sprouting. “Causes trouble… defiled” (ἐνοχλῇ… μιανθῶσιν): Present subjunctive ἐνοχλῇ, disturb; aorist passive subjunctive μιανθῶσιν, polluted. “Sexually immoral or unholy” (πόρνος ἢ βέβηλος): Adjectives, fornicator or profane; “like Esau” (ὡς Ἠσαῦ) (Genesis 25:29-34). “Sold… birthright” (ἀπέδοτο… πρωτοτόκια): Aorist middle, traded; “single meal” (βρώσεως μιᾶς). “Afterward… desired” (μεταπεὶτα… θέλων): Present participle θέλων, wishing (Genesis 27:30-40). “Inherit the blessing” (κληρονομῆσαι τὴν εὐλογίαν): Aorist infinitive. “Rejected” (ἀπεδοκιμάσθη): Aorist passive, disapproved; “no chance to repent” (μετανοίας… τόπον οὐχ εὗρεν), place for change (cf. Hebrews 6:6). “Sought it with tears” (μετὰ δακρύων ἐκζητήσας): Aorist participle ἐκζητήσας, searched diligently. Theological: Warning against irrevocable loss (cf. Proverbs 1:28, 2 Corinthians 7:10).
“Have not come” (οὐ προσεληλύθατε): Perfect indicative, approached; “what may be touched” (ψηλαφωμένῳ), present passive participle, palpable (Exodus 19:12-13, Sinai). “Blazing fire… darkness… gloom… tempest” (πυρὶ καιομένῳ… γνόφῳ… ζόφῳ… θυέλλῃ): Datives, sensory phenomena (Deuteronomy 4:11, 5:22). “Sound of a trumpet” (σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ): Genitive, blast (Exodus 19:16). “Voice… words” (φωνῇ ῥημάτων): Instrumental, audible commands; “beg” (παρῃτήσαντο) aorist middle, entreated (Exodus 20:19). “Could not endure” (οὐκ ἔφερον): Imperfect, unable to bear; “order… given” (διαστελλόμενον), present passive participle, commanded (Exodus 19:13). “If even a beast” (κἂν θηρίον): Conditional; “touches… stoned” (θίγῃ… λιθοβοληθήσεται), aorist subjunctive θίγῃ, future passive λιθοβοληθήσεται. “Terrifying… sight” (φοβερὸν… θεώρημα): Adjective φοβερὸν, dreadful; θεώρημα “spectacle.” “Moses said… fear” (Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν… ἔκφοβός εἰμι): Aorist εἶπεν; ἔκφοβος “terrified” (Deuteronomy 9:19, not exact quote but interpretive). “Have come” (προσεληλύθατε): Perfect, new covenant approach. “Mount Zion… city… Jerusalem” (Σιὼν ὄρει… πόλει… Ἰερουσαλὴμ): Heavenly counterpart (cf. Galatians 4:26, Revelation 14:1). “Living God” (Θεοῦ ζῶντος): Present participle ζῶντος (cf. Hebrews 3:12). “Innumerable angels… festal gathering” (μυριάσιν ἀγγέλων πανηγύρει): Datives, myriads in festival (cf. Deuteronomy 33:2). “Assembly of the firstborn” (ἐκκλησίᾳ πρωτοτόκων): Church of first-born ones (cf. Exodus 4:22, Colossians 1:18); “enrolled in heaven” (ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς) perfect passive participle. “God, the judge” (κριτῇ Θεῷ): Dative; “of all” (πάντων). Capitalized “God,” “Jesus.” “Spirits… made perfect” (πνεύμασι δικαίων τετελειωμένων): Perfect passive participle τετελειωμένων, completed (cf. Hebrews 11:40). “Mediator… covenant” (μεσίτῃ διαθήκης καινῆς): New covenant (cf. Hebrews 8:6). “Sprinkled blood… speaks better” (αἵματι ῥαντισμοῦ κρεῖττον λαλοῦντι): Present participle λαλοῦντι, speaking superiorly than Abel’s (Genesis 4:10, Hebrews 11:4). Theological: Contrast terror/access (cf. Exodus 24:8, 1 Peter 1:2).
“See that… refuse” (βλέπετε μὴ παραιτήσησθε): Present imperative βλέπετε, watch; aorist subjunctive παραιτήσησθε negation, reject. Capitalized “Him,” “He” for God/Christ. “Who is speaking” (τὸν λαλοῦντα): Present participle, ongoing (cf. Hebrews 1:1-2). “Did not escape… refused” (οὐκ ἐξέφυγον… παραιτησάμενοι): Aorist indicative ἐξέφυγον negation, aorist middle participle παραιτησάμενοι (cf. Hebrews 2:3). “Warned… on earth” (χρηματίζοντα ἐπὶ γῆς): Present participle χρηματίζοντα, oracular warning (Sinai). “Much less… reject” (πολὺ μᾶλλον… ἀποστρεφόμενοι): Present middle participle ἀποστρεφόμενοι, turning away; “warns from heaven” (ἀπ’ οὐρανῶν χρηματίζοντα). “His voice shook” (φωνὴ… ἐσάλευσεν): Aorist, quaked (Exodus 19:18). “Has promised” (ἐπήγγελται): Perfect indicative, assured; quote from Haggai 2:6 (LXX). “Yet once more… shake” (ἔτι ἅπαξ… σείσω): Future σείσω, agitate; “not only… but also” (οὐ μόνον… ἀλλὰ καὶ). “This phrase… indicates” (δηλοῖ): Present indicative, signifies; “yet once more” (ἔτι ἅπαξ). “Removal… shaken” (μετάθεσιν… σεσαλευμένων): Accusative μετάθεσιν “change” or “transposition,” present passive participle σεσαλευμένων perfect for enduring shakability. “Things that have been made” (πεποιημένων): Perfect passive participle, created. “Things that cannot be shaken… remain” (μὴ σαλευόμενα μείνῃ): Present passive participle μὴ σαλευόμενα negation, aorist subjunctive μείνῃ. Theological: Eschatological purge (cf. 2 Peter 3:10-13). “Be grateful” (χάριν ἔχωμεν): Present subjunctive ἔχωμεν hortatory, thankful. “Receiving… kingdom” (βασιλείαν παραλαμβάνοντες): Present participle, obtaining unshakable realm (cf. Daniel 7:18). “Offer… worship” (λατρεύωμεν): Present subjunctive λατρεύωμεν, serve; “acceptable” (εὐαρέστως), pleasingly. “Reverence and awe” (εὐλαβείας καὶ δέους): Genitives, godly fear. “Consuming fire” (πῦρ καταναλίσκον): Present participle καταναλίσκον, devouring (Deuteronomy 4:24). Theological: Reverent response to grace (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:13, Revelation 20:9).
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