Sacrifices Pleasing to God

13 Let (A)brotherly love continue. (B)Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby (C)some have entertained angels unawares. (D)Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (E)Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge (F)the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life (G)free from love of money, and (H)be content with what you have, for he has said, (I)“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say,

(J)“The Lord is my helper;
    (K)I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

Remember (L)your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and (M)imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is (N)the same yesterday and today and forever.

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Jesus Doesn’t Change

13 1-4 Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.

5-6 Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

7-8 Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.

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Concluding Moral Directions

13 Let (A)brotherly love continue. (B)Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing (C)some have unwittingly entertained angels. (D)Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

(E)Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; (F)but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, (G)“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say:

(H)“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

Concluding Religious Directions

Remember those who [a]rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is (I)the same yesterday, today, and forever.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:7 lead