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Hebrews 12

Heb. 12:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
Wherefore
toigaroun (Greek #5105)
truly for then, i.e. consequently
KJV usage: there-(where-)fore.
Pronounce: toy-gar-oon'
Origin: from 5104 and 1063 and 3767
seeing
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
we
hemeis (Greek #2249)
we (only used when emphatic)
KJV usage: us, we (ourselves).
Pronounce: hay-mice'
Origin: nominative plural of 1473
also
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
are compassed about with
perikeimai (Greek #4029)
to lie all around, i.e. inclose, encircle, hamper (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: be bound (compassed) with, hang about.
Pronounce: per-ik'-i-mahee
Origin: from 4012 and 2749
so great
hemin (Greek #2254)
to (or for, with, by) us
KJV usage: our, (for) us, we.
Pronounce: hay-meen'
Origin: dative case plural of 1473
tosoutos (Greek #5118)
so vast as this, i.e. such (in quantity, amount, number of space)
KJV usage: as large, so great (long, many, much), these many.
Pronounce: tos-oo'-tos
Origin: from τόσος (so much; apparently from 3588 and 3739) and 3778 (including its variations)
a cloud
nephos (Greek #3509)
a cloud
KJV usage: cloud.
Pronounce: nef'-os
Origin: apparently a primary word
of witnesses
martus (Greek #3144)
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
KJV usage: martyr, record, witness.
Pronounce: mar'-toos
Origin: of uncertain affinity
, let us lay aside
apotithemi (Greek #659)
to put away (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: cast off, lay apart (aside, down), put away (off).
Pronounce: ap-ot-eeth'-ay-mee
Origin: from 575 and 5087
g every
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
weight
ogkos (Greek #3591)
a mass (as bending or bulging by its load), i.e. burden (hindrance)
KJV usage: weight.
Pronounce: ong'-kos
Origin: probably from the same as 43
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
the sin
hamartia (Greek #266)
a sin (properly abstract)
KJV usage: offence, sin(-ful).
Pronounce: ham-ar-tee'-ah
Origin: from 264
which doth so easily beset
euperistatos (Greek #2139)
well standing around, i.e. (a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction (figuratively, of sin in genitive case)
KJV usage: which doth so easily beset.
Pronounce: yoo-per-is'-tat-os
Origin: from 2095 and a derivative of a presumed compound of 4012 and 2476
us, and let us run
trecho (Greek #5143)
which uses δρέμω (drem'-o) (the base of 1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: have course, run.
Pronounce: trekh'-o
Origin: apparently a primary verb (properly, τρέχω; compare 2359)
with
dia (Greek #1223)
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV usage: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Pronounce: dee-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
patience
hupomone (Greek #5281)
cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy
KJV usage: enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
Pronounce: hoop-om-on-ay'
Origin: from 5278
the race
agon (Greek #73)
properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figuratively, an effort or anxiety
KJV usage: conflict, contention, fight, race.
Pronounce: ag-one'
Origin: from 71
that is set before
prokeimai (Greek #4295)
to lie before the view, i.e. (figuratively) to be present (to the mind), to stand forth (as an example or reward)
KJV usage: be first, set before (forth).
Pronounce: prok'-i-mahee
Origin: from 4253 and 2749
us
hemin (Greek #2254)
to (or for, with, by) us
KJV usage: our, (for) us, we.
Pronounce: hay-meen'
Origin: dative case plural of 1473
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ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections

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Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-21:  An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness.
22-29:  A commendation of the new testament above the old.
seeing.
Heb. 11:2‑38• 2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
(Heb. 11:2‑38)
a cloud.
witnesses.
let us lay.
Matt. 10:37‑38• 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
(Matt. 10:37‑38)
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Luke 8:14• 14And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (Luke 8:14)
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Luke 9:59‑62• 59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
(Luke 9:59‑62)
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Luke 12:15• 15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12:15)
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Luke 14:26‑33• 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
(Luke 14:26‑33)
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Luke 18:22‑25• 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(Luke 18:22‑25)
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Luke 21:34• 34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (Luke 21:34)
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Rom. 13:11‑14• 11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
(Rom. 13:11‑14)
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2 Cor. 7:1• 1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor. 7:1)
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Eph. 4:22‑24• 22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(Eph. 4:22‑24)
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Col. 3:5‑8• 5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
(Col. 3:5‑8)
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1 Tim. 6:9‑10• 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(1 Tim. 6:9‑10)
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2 Tim. 2:4• 4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Tim. 2:4)
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1 Peter 2:1• 1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (1 Peter 2:1)
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1 Peter 4:2• 2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4:2)
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1 John 2:15‑16• 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
(1 John 2:15‑16)
and the sin.
and let us.
1 Cor. 9:24‑27• 24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
(1 Cor. 9:24‑27)
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Gal. 5:7• 7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal. 5:7)
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Phil. 2:16• 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Phil. 2:16)
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Phil. 3:10‑14• 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(Phil. 3:10‑14)
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2 Tim. 4:7• 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Tim. 4:7)
with patience.
Heb. 6:15• 15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. (Heb. 6:15)
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Heb. 10:36• 36For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Heb. 10:36)
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Matt. 10:22• 22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matt. 10:22)
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Matt. 24:13• 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matt. 24:13)
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Luke 8:15• 15But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)
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Rom. 2:7• 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: (Rom. 2:7)
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Rom. 5:3‑5• 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
(Rom. 5:3‑5)
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Rom. 8:24‑25• 24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
(Rom. 8:24‑25)
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Rom. 12:12• 12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (Rom. 12:12)
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James 1:3• 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:3)
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James 5:7‑11• 7Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
(James 5:7‑11)
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2 Peter 1:6• 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (2 Peter 1:6)
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Rev. 1:9• 9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 1:9)
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Rev. 3:10• 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Rev. 3:10)
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Rev. 13:10• 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Rev. 13:10)
 Now and then, here and there, mainly of the chosen people, but carefully shown to have lived and suffered in faith before Abraham, they form a grand cloud, each characterized by some proved fidelity to God's will, a few by more than one, none more than "the friend of God." But what was he, variously tried and faithful, compared with "Jesus," as this Epistle often and with divine intent calls our Lord? (Hebrews 12:1-3 by W. Kelly)
 Surrounded with a cloud of witnesses like these of chapter 11, who all declared the advantages of a life of faith in promises still unfulfilled, they ought to feel themselves impelled to follow their steps. (Hebrews 12 by J.N. Darby)
 The flesh, the human heart, is occupied with cares and difficulties; and the more we think of them, the more we are burdened by them. It is enticed by the object of its desires, it does not free itself from them. The conflict is with a heart that loves the thing against which we strive; we do not separate ourselves from it in thought. (Hebrews 12 by J.N. Darby)
 It is not “a race” that we have to set before ourselves, but “the race that lies before us.” Many appear to think that, while there is only one way of being saved, there are many ways of traveling through this world; and that each Christian is at liberty to choose the way that he prefers. (God's Means to Keep Us in the Path of Faith: Hebrews 12 by H. Smith)
 Weights are not things morally wrong. Anything that hinders the soul from accepting God’s path or running with patience when in the path is a weight….Things that would be no weight in the ordinary life would become a weight on the racetrack. (God's Means to Keep Us in the Path of Faith: Hebrews 12 by H. Smith)
 “Let us run with endurance.” Running supposes spiritual energy, and combined with this we need endurance. It is easy to make an energetic start; it is hard to endure day by day in the presence of difficulties and discouragement. (God's Means to Keep Us in the Path of Faith: Hebrews 12 by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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Let *us* also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnessesa surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sinb which so easily entanglesc us, run with endurance the race that lies before us,

JND Translation Notes

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a
Witness, in English, has two senses. "seeing, so as to bear witness," and "giving testimony to." The last only I apprehend is in the Greek here.
b
Or "the sin."
c
Or "besets." The one Greek word here represents the whole phrase, "which so easily entangles us."

W. Kelly Translation

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1
Therefore let us also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the readily besetting sin, run witha endurance the race that is set before us,

WK Translation Notes

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a
Or, "through."