Hebrews 13
1 May love for each other as brothers and sisters always continue!
Let your love for the Lord’s followers continue.
2 Don't forget to show love for strangers too, because by doing so some have welcomed angels without knowing it.
Do not neglect to show hospitality; for, through being hospitable, people have all unawares entertained angels.
3 Remember those who are locked up in prison as if you were imprisoned with them. Remember those who are mistreated as if you were physically suffering with them.
Remember the prisoners, as if you were their fellow prisoners, and the oppressed, not forgetting that you also are still in the body.
4 Everyone should honor marriage. Husbands and wives should be faithful to each other. God will judge adulterers.
Let marriage be honored by all and the married life be pure; for God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
5 Don't love money; be content with what you have. God himself has said, “I'll never let you down; I'll never give up on you.”
Do not let your conduct be ruled by the love of money. Be content with what you have, for God himself has said – ‘I will never forsake you, nor will I ever abandon you.’
6 That's why we can confidently say, “The Lord is the one who helps me, so I won't be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Therefore we may say with confidence – ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can mere people do to me?’
7 Remember your leaders who explained God's word to you. Look again at the results of their lives, and imitate their trust in God.
Do not forget your leaders, who told you God’s message. Recall the close of their lives, and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today – yes, and for ever! (aiōn g165)
9 Don't get distracted by different kinds of strange teachings. It's good for the mind to be convinced by grace, not by laws concerning what we eat. Those who followed such laws didn't gain anything.
Do not let yourselves be carried away by the various novel forms of teaching. It is better to rely for spiritual strength on the divine help, than on regulations regarding food; for those whose lives are guided by such regulations have not found them of service.
10 We have an altar that those priests of the Tabernacle have no right to eat from.
We are not without an altar; but it is one at which those who still worship in the tent have no right to eat.
11 The carcasses of the animals, whose blood is carried by the high priest into the most holy place as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
The bodies of those animals whose blood is brought by the high priest into the sanctuary, as an offering for sin, are burnt outside the camp.
12 In the same way Jesus also died outside the city gate so that he could make God's people holy through his own blood.
And so Jesus, also, to purify the people by his own blood, suffered outside the gate.
13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, experiencing and sharing in his shame.
Therefore let us go out to him ‘outside the camp,’ bearing the same reproaches as he;
14 For we don't have a permanent city to live in here, we're looking for the home that is still to come.
for here we have no permanent city, but are looking for the city that is to be.
15 So let us through Jesus always offer a sacrifice of praise to God—this means speaking well of God, declaring his character.
Through him let us offer, as our sacrifice, continual praise to God – an offering from lips that glorify his name.
16 And don't forget to do what is good, and to share with others what you have, for God is pleased when you make such sacrifices.
Never forget to do kindly acts and to share what you have with others, for such sacrifices are acceptable to God.
17 Follow your leaders, and do what they tell you, for they are watching out for you and are accountable. Act in such a way that they can do this happily—and not with sadness, for that wouldn't help you!
Obey your leaders, and submit to their control, for they are watching over your souls, since they will have to render an account, so that they may do it with joy, and not in sorrow. That would not be to your advantage.
18 Please pray for us. We're convinced we have acted in good conscience, always wanting to do what's good and right in every situation.
Pray for us, for we are sure that our consciences are clear, since our wish is to be occupied with what is good.
19 I really want you to pray hard so that I can come back to see you soon.
And I the more earnestly ask for your prayers, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now may the God of peace who raised our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, from the dead, with the blood of an eternal agreement— (aiōnios g166)
May God, the source of all peace, who brought back from the dead him who, ‘by virtue of the blood that rendered valid the unchangeable covenant, is the great shepherd of God’s Sheep,’ Jesus, our Lord – (aiōnios g166)
21 may he provide you with all that is good so you can do his will. May he work in us, doing everything that pleases him, through Jesus Christ—glory to him forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
may God make you perfect in everything that is good, so that you may be able to do his will. May he bring out in us all that is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
22 I want to encourage you, brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I've written to you in this short letter.
I beg you, friends, to bear with these words of advice. For I have written only very briefly to you.
23 You should know that Timothy has been set free. If he gets here soon, I will come with him to see you.
You will be glad to hear that our friend, Timothy, has been set free. If he comes here soon, we will visit you together.
24 Give my greetings to all your leaders, and to all the believers there. The believers here in Italy send their greetings.
Give our greeting to all your leaders, and to all Christ’s people. Our friends from Italy send their greetings to you.
25 May God's grace be with all of you. Amen.
May God bless you all.
