Perseverance — The Long Race of Hebrews 12

‘Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.’ Hebrews 12:1–2

This word sits at the centre of the passage, where faith is described as a long race. The accompanying image was taken on the path through Nant Ffrancon Pass in North Wales, the track rising through stone and cloud. It fits the word well: a steady climb and the pull of light ahead. Hebrews links this endurance directly to Jesus, asking us to look to him as we continue the course set before us. The Greek term behind our English translation carries the idea of staying firm under pressure, while the English form traces its way through Latin and Old French. Both point to the same thing: the steady, hopeful endurance that depends on Christ and looks to him for strength.

Each word card set begins with an image that captures the theme of the word. The following cards trace its story: a main word card (or two, if extended), a junior version with a paler border, an etymological breakdown showing how the word travelled through time, and a list of sources. Some sets also include cards for related words or translations across other languages. Together they show where each word came from, how it changed, and what it still carries with it.