Hebrews 11:32-12:2 and Psalm 130

Hebrews 11:32-12:2

[32]And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — [33]who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, [34]quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. [35]Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. [36]Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. [37]They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented — [38]of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

[39]Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, [40]since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

[1]Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, [2]looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Psalm 130

[1]   Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.  
[2]       Lord, hear my voice!  
     Let your ears be attentive  
          to the voice of my supplications!

[3]   If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,  
          Lord, who could stand?  
[4]   But there is forgiveness with you,  
          so that you may be revered.

[5]   I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,  
          and in his word I hope;  
[6]   my soul waits for the Lord  
          more than those who watch for the morning,  
          more than those who watch for the morning.

[7]   O Israel, hope in the LORD!  
          For with the LORD there is steadfast love,  
          and with him is great power to redeem.  
[8]   It is he who will redeem Israel  
          from all its iniquities.