en_tn_condensed/heb/12/01.md

# General Information:

The words "we" and "us" refer to the author and his readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive]])

# Connecting Statement:

Because of this great number of Old Testament believers, the author talks of the life of faith that believers should live.

# we are surrounded by such a large cloud of witnesses

The writer speaks about the Old Testament believers as if they were a cloud that surrounds the present-day believers. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "such a large cloud of witnesses surrounds us" or "there are so many examples of faithful people about whom we learn in the scriptures" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])

# witnesses

Here "witnesses" refers to the Old Testament believers in chapter 11 who lived before the race of faith that believers now run.

# let us lay aside every weight and easily entangling sin

Here "weight" and "easily entangling sin" are spoken of as if a person could take them off himself and put them down. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# every weight

Attitudes or habits that keep believers from trusting and obeying God are spoken of as if they were loads that would make it difficult for a person to run while carrying. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# easily entangling sin

Sin is spoken of as if it were a net or something else that can trip people up and make them fall. Alternate translation: "sin that makes obeying God difficult" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# Let us run with perseverance the race that is placed before us

Following Jesus is spoken of as if it were running a race. Alternate translation: "Let us continue obeying what God has commanded us, just like a runner keeps going until the race is over" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])