7
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8
But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9
Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
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For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
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Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
12
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
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and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
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Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
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looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
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lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
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For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.