Sweet Discipline

[Hebrews 12:1-13]

1Therefore, since we are surrounded

 by such a great cloud of witnesses,

 let us throw off everything that hinders

 and the sin that so easily entangles,

 and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

2Let 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.

3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,

 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4In your struggle against sin,

 you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a]

7Endure hardship as discipline; 

God is treating you as sons.

 For what son is not disciplined by his father?

8If you are not disciplined

(and everyone undergoes discipline),

 then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

9Moreover,

 we have all had human fathers 

who disciplined us and we respected them for it.

 How much more should we submit

 to the Father of our spirits and live!

10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while

 as they thought best; 

but God disciplines us for our good,

 that we may share in his holiness.

11No discipline seems pleasant at the time,

 but painful. Later on,

 however, it produces a harvest of righteousness

and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

13"Make level paths for your feet,

"[b] so that the lame may not be disabled,

 but rather healed.