The Epistle to the Hebrews, conceived 331b

Brethren, the Lord chastens whom He loves; but he smites every son whom he receives. If you endure chastisement, God treats you as sons. For is there any son whom his father does not punish? But if you remain without punishment, which is common to all, then you are illegitimate children, and not sons. Moreover, if we, being chastened by our carnal parents, feared them, then must we not submit much more to the Father of spirits in order to live? They punished us arbitrarily for a few days; but this one is for profit, that we may have a share in His holiness. Any punishment at the present time seems not to be joy, but sorrow; but afterwards he brings forth the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been taught through him. Strengthen therefore the hands that are drooping and the knees that are weak, and walk upright with your feet, so that the lame may not be turned astray, but rather be reformed. See that you do not turn away from him who speaks. If they did not escape punishment by not listening to him who spoke on earth, how much more will we not escape if we turn away from Him who spoke from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth, and who now made this promise: "Once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens." The words, "once more," signify the change of that which is shaken as created, so that that which cannot be shaken may remain.

Hebrews 12:6–13; 25–27

During an earthquake

The Epistle to the Hebrews, conceived 332

Brethren, strive to have peace with all and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. See that no one is deprived of the grace of God; so that any bitter root, having arisen, does not cause harm, and so that many are not defiled by it; lest there be any fornicator or wicked man among you, who, like Esau, would renounce his birthright for one meal. For you know that after this, desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; he could not change his father's thoughts, although he asked for it with tears. You did not come to the mountain, which is tangible and blazing with fire, nor to darkness and gloom and storm, nor to the sound of the trumpet and the voice of the words, which those who heard asked that the word should no longer be continued to them, for they could not endure what was commanded: if the beast also touches the mountain, it will be stoned (or struck with an arrow); and so terrible was the vision that Moses also said, "I am in fear and trembling." But ye have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the multitude of angels, to the triumphant assembly and the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12:14–24

During a fire

The Epistle to the Hebrews, conceived 333a

Brethren, take heed that ye also turn not away from him who speaks. If they did not escape punishment by not listening to him who spoke on earth, how much more will we not escape if we turn away from Him who spoke from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth, and who now made this promise: "Once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens." I beseech you, brethren, to accept this word of exhortation; but I have not written much to you. Know that our brother Timothy has been released, and I will see you with him, if he comes soon. Salute all your teachers and all the saints. Greetings from the Italians. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Hebrews 12:25–26; 13:22–25

Tuesday, 31st Week

The Epistle to the Hebrews, conceived 333b

Brethren, we, accepting the kingdom that cannot be shaken, will preserve the grace by which we will serve God with reverence and fear, because our God is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love abide among you. Do not forget the love of strangers, for through it some, without knowing it, have shown hospitality to the Angels. Remember the prisoners, as if you were in chains with them, and those who suffer, as you yourselves are in the body. Let the marriage of all be honorable and the bed unblemished; but fornicators and adulterers are judged by God. Have a disposition that does not love money, being content with what you have. For He Himself said, I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee, so that we boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear: What shall man do to me? Remember your leaders who preached the word of God to you, and beholding the end of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.