Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love continue.
May love for each other as brothers and sisters always continue!
2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Don't forget to show love for strangers too, because by doing so some have welcomed angels without knowing it.
3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.
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.
4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Everyone should honor marriage. Husbands and wives should be faithful to each other. God will judge adulterers.
5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
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.”
6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
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?”
7 Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Remember your leaders who explained God's word to you. Look again at the results of their lives, and imitate their trust in God.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (aiōn g165)
9 Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
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.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat.
We have an altar that those priests of the Tabernacle have no right to eat from.
11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp.
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.
12 Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.
In the same way Jesus also died outside the city gate so that he could make God's people holy through his own blood.
13 Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.
So let us go out to him, outside the camp, experiencing and sharing in his shame.
14 For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.
For we don't have a permanent city to live in here, we're looking for the home that is still to come.
15 Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.
So let us through Jesus always offer a sacrifice of praise to God—this means speaking well of God, declaring his character.
16 But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
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.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
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!
18 Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
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.
19 I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.
I really want you to pray hard so that I can come back to see you soon.
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, (aiōnios g166)
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)
21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
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)
22 But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
I want to encourage you, brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I've written to you in this short letter.
23 Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.
You should know that Timothy has been set free. If he gets here soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.
Give my greetings to all your leaders, and to all the believers there. The believers here in Italy send their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
May God's grace be with all of you. Amen.
