But if the (A)ministry of death, engraved (B)in letters on stones, came [a]with glory (C)so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? For if (D)the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the (E)ministry of righteousness excel in glory. 10 For indeed what had glory in this case has no glory, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if that which fades away was [b]with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

12 (F)Therefore, having such a hope, (G)we use great boldness in our speech, 13 and we are not like Moses, (H)who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not stare at the end of what was fading away.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 3:7 Or in glory
  2. 2 Corinthians 3:11 Lit through

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

Now if the ministry that brought death,(A) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,(B) transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation(C) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!(D) 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope,(E) we are very bold.(F) 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face(G) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.

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Contrast of Sinai and Zion

18 (A)For you have not come to (B)a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the (C)blast of a trumpet and the (D)sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard (E)begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not [a]cope with the command, “(F)If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “(G)I am terrified and trembling.” 22 But (H)you have come to Mount Zion and to (I)the city of (J)the living God, (K)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to (L)myriads of [b]angels, 23 to the general assembly and (M)church of the firstborn who (N)are enrolled in heaven, and to God, (O)the Judge of all, and to the (P)spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the (Q)mediator of a new covenant, and to the (R)sprinkled blood, which speaks better than (S)the blood of Abel.

The Unshaken Kingdom

25 (T)See to it that you do not refuse Him who is (U)speaking. For (V)if those did not escape when they (W)refused him who (X)warned them on earth, [c]much less will we escape who turn away from Him who (Y)warns us from heaven. 26 And (Z)His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “(AA)Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes (AB)the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a (AC)kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s [d]show gratitude, by which we may (AD)offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for (AE)our God is a consuming fire.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:20 Lit bear
  2. Hebrews 12:22 Or angels in festive gathering, and to the church
  3. Hebrews 12:25 Lit much rather we will not escape...
  4. Hebrews 12:28 Lit have

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;(A) 19 to a trumpet blast(B) or to such a voice speaking words(C) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,(D) 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[a](E) 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[b](F)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion,(G) to the city(H) of the living God,(I) the heavenly Jerusalem.(J) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn,(K) whose names are written in heaven.(L) You have come to God, the Judge of all,(M) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,(N) 24 to Jesus the mediator(O) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood(P) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.(Q)

25 See to it that you do not refuse(R) him who speaks.(S) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned(T) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?(U) 26 At that time his voice shook the earth,(V) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[c](W) 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken(X)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,(Y) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,(Z) 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”[d](AA)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
  2. Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
  3. Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
  4. Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24