Daily Bread

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)