Hebrews 12:13
New International Version
“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

New Living Translation
Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

English Standard Version
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Berean Standard Bible
Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Berean Literal Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame should not be put out of joint, but rather should be healed.

King James Bible
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

New King James Version
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

New American Standard Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is impaired may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

NASB 1995
and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

NASB 1977
and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Legacy Standard Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Amplified Bible
Cut through and make smooth, straight paths for your feet [that are safe and go in the right direction], so that the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather may be healed.

Christian Standard Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

American Standard Version
and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.

Contemporary English Version
and walk a straight path. Then lame people will be healed, instead of getting worse.

English Revised Version
and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Keep walking along straight paths so that your injured leg won't get worse. Instead, let it heal.

Good News Translation
Keep walking on straight paths, so that the lame foot may not be disabled, but instead be healed.

International Standard Version
and straighten the paths of your life, so that your lameness may not become worse, but instead may be healed.

Majority Standard Bible
Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

NET Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.

New Heart English Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Webster's Bible Translation
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Weymouth New Testament
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put entirely out of joint

World English Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be turned aside, but rather be healed;

Berean Literal Bible
and make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame should not be put out of joint, but rather should be healed.

Young's Literal Translation
and straight paths make for your feet, that that which is lame may not be turned aside, but rather be healed;

Smith's Literal Translation
And make straight wheel-ruts to your feet, lest the lame thing turned aside; and it should rather be healed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And make straight steps with your feet: that no one, halting, may go out of the way; but rather be healed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and straighten the path of your feet, so that no one, being lame, may wander astray, but instead may be healed.

New American Bible
Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

New Revised Standard Version
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And make straight the paths for your feet, so that the weak do not go astray but are healed.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Make straight paths for your feet, that the lame member may not fail, but that it may be healed.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned aside; but rather let it be restored to health.

Godbey New Testament
and make straight paths for your feet, in order that whatsoever is lame may not be turned out of the way, but rather may it be healed.

Haweis New Testament
and make strait paths for your feet, that what is halting may not be turned out of the way; but that it may rather be healed.

Mace New Testament
clear the way for your feet, lest that which is lame should be quite out of joint, instead of being redress'd."

Weymouth New Testament
and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put entirely out of joint

Worrell New Testament
and make straight paths for your feet, that the lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.

Worsley New Testament
And make strait paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be turned out of the way, but rather be healed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Disciplines His Sons
12Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.…

Cross References
Proverbs 4:26
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.

Isaiah 35:3-4
Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! / Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”

Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Proverbs 4:25-27
Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. / Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. / Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

Isaiah 40:3-4
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. / Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.

Luke 3:4-6
as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. / Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. / And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. / Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. / Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. ...

Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, / I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:

1 Peter 2:21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:


Treasury of Scripture

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

make.

Proverbs 4:26,27
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established…

Isaiah 35:3,8-10
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees…

Isaiah 40:3,4
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God…

straight.

Isaiah 35:6
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Jeremiah 31:8,9
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither…

but let.

Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Jude 1:22,23
And of some have compassion, making a difference: …

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Hebrews 12
1. An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness by Christ's example
22. A commendation of the new covenant.














Make straight paths for your feet
This phrase emphasizes the importance of living a life of righteousness and integrity. The imagery of "straight paths" is reminiscent of Proverbs 4:26-27, which advises believers to ponder the path of their feet and not turn to the right or left. In a biblical context, straight paths symbolize a life aligned with God's will, avoiding sin and distractions. The call to make paths straight can also be seen as a preparation for the coming of the Lord, similar to John the Baptist's mission in Isaiah 40:3 and Matthew 3:3, where he prepares the way for Jesus by calling for repentance and righteousness.

so that the lame may not be disabled
This part of the verse suggests a communal responsibility among believers. The "lame" can be understood as those who are weak in faith or struggling spiritually. By living righteously and setting a good example, believers can help prevent others from stumbling or falling away from their faith. The imagery of lameness and healing is prevalent in the Gospels, where Jesus heals the physically lame, symbolizing spiritual restoration (e.g., Matthew 11:5). The community's role is to support and uplift those who are weak, ensuring they do not become further hindered in their spiritual journey.

but rather healed
The ultimate goal of making straight paths is healing and restoration. This reflects the redemptive work of Christ, who came to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18). Healing here is not just physical but spiritual, pointing to the transformative power of living a life in accordance with God's will. The church is called to be a place of healing, where believers support one another in their walk with Christ, leading to spiritual growth and maturity. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and restoration, where God desires to heal and restore His people to a right relationship with Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Author of Hebrews
Traditionally attributed to Paul, though the exact authorship is unknown. The author writes to Jewish Christians facing persecution.

2. Jewish Christians
The primary audience of the letter, who were experiencing trials and needed encouragement to persevere in their faith.

3. The Lame
Symbolically represents those who are weak in faith or struggling spiritually, needing support and guidance.

4. The Path
Represents the Christian journey or walk of faith, emphasizing the need for clarity and righteousness.

5. Healing
A metaphor for spiritual restoration and strengthening, encouraging believers to support one another.
Teaching Points
Straight Paths and Righteous Living
The call to make straight paths is a call to live righteously and with integrity. Our actions and decisions should reflect our faith and lead others towards Christ.

Community Responsibility
As believers, we have a responsibility to support and uplift those who are struggling in their faith. Our actions can either hinder or help their spiritual journey.

Spiritual Healing and Restoration
The goal of making straight paths is not just personal holiness but also the healing and restoration of others. We should be agents of healing in our communities.

Perseverance in Trials
The context of Hebrews 12 is enduring hardship. Making straight paths involves perseverance and maintaining faithfulness even in difficult times.

Guidance from Scripture
The Word of God is essential in guiding our paths. Regular engagement with Scripture helps us discern the right path and encourages others to do the same.(13) And make straight paths.--Quoted with some slight changes from the Greek translation of Proverbs 4:26, "ponder" (or, more probably, make even) "the path of thy feet."

Be turned out of the way.--The difficulty in these words is concealed to some extent when they are separated from the following clause, as in the Authorised version; this separation, however, the Greek will not allow. If the words be rendered, "that what is lame may not be turned out of the way, but may rather be healed," we cannot but feel that the two members are somewhat incongruous. It is probable, therefore, that the first verb here bears the meaning which it not unfrequently has in medical writers, be put out of joint. Let the paths (or tracks) which you follow be straight, for crooked and uneven paths will make the limbs which are lame more helpless still; should nothing aggravate the hurt that has been received, it may soon be healed. In the application, the words are a warning against the shifting courses of men who are ready to turn aside from strict duty when persecution threatens, and seek to avert the danger by compliance with what they do not in heart approve. Whatever may be the result in the case of "the strong" (Romans 14:1; 1 Corinthians 8), the example brings destruction on "the weak."

Verse 13. - And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but that it rather be healed. The ideas in this verse correspond to, and may be suggested by, those that follow in Isaiah the passage above referred to. For there too the prophet goes on to speak, among other things, of the lame leaping, and of a way of holiness along which none should err. But the words themselves are suggested by Proverbs 4:26, Αοτὸς δὲ ὀρθὰς ποιήσει τὰς τροχιάς σου (LXX.), the verb διαστρέφεσθαι having been previously used for turning out of the way. It is observable that the words, καὶ τροχιάς, etc., are arranged so as to form an hexameter line. This may have been unintentional, but it is at any rate effective. Delitzsch remarks on it. "The duty to which the writer urges, his, readers is courageous self-recovery m Gods strength. The tone and language are elevated accordingly, and ver. 12 is like a trumpet-blast. It need not surprise us, then, if our author here turns poet, and proceeds in heroic measures." With regard to the purport of this verse, we observe that, while the figure of running is still continued, a new idea is introduced - that of pursuing a straight course with a view to others who are to follow on the same track. "That which is lame (τὸ χωλόν)" denotes the weak and wavering brethren - the ἀσθενοῦντες, such as are referred to in Romans 14. and 1 Corinthians 8. The expression well suits (specially those among the Hebrew Christians who halted between two opinions - between the Church and the synagogue (cf. 1 Kings 18:21, Ἕως πότε ὑμεῖς χωλανεῖτε επ ἀμφοτέραις ταῖς ἰγνύαις;). The strong in faith ought to desire and aim at the healing of such lame ones, i.e. their being strengthened in the faith, rather than expose them to the risk of apostasy by any wavering of their own.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Make
ποιεῖτε (poieite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

straight
ὀρθὰς (orthas)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3717: Upright, straight, direct. Probably from the base of oros; right, i.e. erect, or level or direct.

paths
τροχιὰς (trochias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5163: The track of a wheel, a path. From trochos; a track, i.e. a course of conduct.

for
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

feet,
ποσὶν (posin)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

lame
χωλὸν (chōlon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5560: Lame, deprived of a foot, limping. Apparently a primary word; 'halt', i.e. Limping.

{will} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

be debilitated,
ἐκτραπῇ (ektrapē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1624: From ek and the base of trope; to deflect, i.e. Turn away.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

rather
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.

healed.
ἰαθῇ (iathē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2390: To heal, generally of the physical, sometimes of spiritual, disease. Middle voice of apparently a primary verb; to cure.


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NT Letters: Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet (Heb. He. Hb)
Hebrews 12:12
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