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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. Do not be (O)led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, (P)not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar (Q)from which those who serve the tent[a] have no right to eat. 11 For (R)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned (S)outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also (T)suffered (U)outside the gate in order to sanctify the people (V)through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear (W)the reproach he endured. 14 For (X)here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 (Y)Through him then let us continually offer up (Z)a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, (AA)the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and (AB)to share what you have, for such (AC)sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey (AD)your leaders and submit to them, (AE)for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to (AF)give an account. (AG)Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

18 (AH)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order (AI)that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction

20 Now (AJ)may the God of peace (AK)who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, (AL)the great shepherd of the sheep, by (AM)the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 (AN)equip you with everything good that you may do his will, (AO)working in us[b] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, (AP)to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

22 I appeal to you, brothers,[c] bear with my word of exhortation, for (AQ)I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that (AR)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all (AS)your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 (AT)Grace be with all of you.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:10 Or tabernacle
  2. Hebrews 13:21 Some manuscripts you
  3. Hebrews 13:22 Or brothers and sisters

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.(A) Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,(B) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.(C) Continue to remember those in prison(D) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Marriage should be honored by all,(E) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.(F) Keep your lives free from the love of money(G) and be content with what you have,(H) because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a](I)

So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”[b](J)

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

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.(O) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened(P) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,(Q) which is of no benefit to those who do so.(R) 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle(S) have no right to eat.(T)

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,(U) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.(V) 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate(W) to make the people holy(X) through his own blood.(Y) 13 Let us, then, go to him(Z) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.(AA) 14 For here we do not have an enduring city,(AB) but we are looking for the city that is to come.(AC)

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice(AD) of praise—the fruit of lips(AE) that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others,(AF) for with such sacrifices(AG) God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders(AH) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you(AI) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us.(AJ) We are sure that we have a clear conscience(AK) and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.(AL)

Benediction and Final Greetings

20 Now may the God of peace,(AM) who through the blood of the eternal covenant(AN) brought back from the dead(AO) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,(AP) 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will,(AQ) and may he work in us(AR) what is pleasing to him,(AS) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(AT)

22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.(AU)

23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy(AV) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

24 Greet all your leaders(AW) and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy(AX) send you their greetings.

25 Grace be with you all.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:5 Deut. 31:6
  2. Hebrews 13:6 Psalm 118:6,7

Final Exhortations

13 Brotherly love must continue. Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.[a] Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them,[b] and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment.[c] Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.”[d] So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and[e] I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?[f] Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings.[g] For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals,[h] which have never benefited those who participated in them. 10 We have an altar that those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat from. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings[i] into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp. 13 We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced.[j] 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. 16 And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,[k] for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work.[l] Let them do this[m] with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you. 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect. 19 I especially ask you to pray[n] that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Conclusion

20 Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, 21 equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us[o] what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever.[p] Amen.

22 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters,[q] bear with my message of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that[r] our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon, he will be with me when I see you.[s] 24 Greetings to all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.[t]

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:2 sn This is a vague allusion to people described in scripture and extra-biblical literature and may include Abraham and Sarah (Gen 18:2-15), Lot (Gen 19:1-14), Gideon (Judg 6:11-18), Manoah (Judg 13:3-22), and possibly Tobit (Tob 12:1-20).
  2. Hebrews 13:3 tn Grk “as being imprisoned together.”
  3. Hebrews 13:3 tn Or “since you too are vulnerable”; Grk “you also being in the body.”
  4. Hebrews 13:5 sn A quotation from Deut 31:6, 8.
  5. Hebrews 13:6 tc Some significant mss (א* C* P 0285vid 33 1175 1739 lat) lack καί (kai), but because the omission conforms to the wording of Ps 118:6 (117:6 LXX), it is suspect.
  6. Hebrews 13:6 sn A quotation from Ps 118:6.
  7. Hebrews 13:9 tn Grk “by diverse and strange teachings.”
  8. Hebrews 13:9 tn Grk “foods,” referring to the meals associated with the OT sacrifices (see the contrast with the next verse; also 9:9-10; 10:1, 4, 11).
  9. Hebrews 13:11 tn Grk “whose blood is brought by the high priest.”
  10. Hebrews 13:13 tn Grk “his abuse.”
  11. Hebrews 13:16 tn Grk “neglect doing good and fellowship.”
  12. Hebrews 13:17 tn Or “as ones who will give an account”; Grk “as giving an account.”
  13. Hebrews 13:17 tn Grk “that they may do this.”
  14. Hebrews 13:19 tn Grk “I urge you to do this all the more.”
  15. Hebrews 13:21 tc Some mss (C P Ψ 6 629* 630 1505 pm latt syh) read ὑμῖν (humin, “in you”) here, but ἡμῖν (hēmin) has stronger external support (P46 א A Dvid K 0243 0285 33 81 104 326 365 629c 1175 1739 1881 pm syp co). It is also more likely that ἡμῖν would have been changed to ὑμῖν in light of the “you” which occurs at the beginning of the verse than vice versa.
  16. Hebrews 13:21 tc ‡ Most mss (א A [C*] 0243 0285 33 1739 1881 M latt) include the words “and ever” here, but the shorter reading (supported by P46 C3 D Ψ 6 104 365 1505 al) is preferred on internal grounds. It seemed more likely that scribes would assimilate the wording to the common NT doxological expression “for ever and ever,” found especially in the Apocalypse (cf., e.g., 1 Tim 1:17; 2 Tim 4:18; Rev 4:9; 22:5) than to the “forever” of Heb 13:8. Nevertheless, a decision is difficult here. NA28 places the phrase in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.
  17. Hebrews 13:22 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 2:11.
  18. Hebrews 13:23 tn Grk “Know that” (an imperative).
  19. Hebrews 13:23 tn Grk “has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.”
  20. Hebrews 13:25 tc Most witnesses, including several significant ones (א2 A C D H Ψ 0243 1739 1881 M lat sy bo), conclude the letter with ἀμήν (amēn, “amen”). Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant. Further, there is sufficient testimony (P46 א* Ivid 6 33 sa) for the lack of the particle, rendering its omission the preferred reading.

Final Exhortations

13 Let brotherly love(A) continue. Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.(B) Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.[a] Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.(C) Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.(D)[b] Therefore, we may boldly say:

The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?(E)[c]

Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.(F) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(G) Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, since those involved in them have not benefited.(H) 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat.(I) 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest(J) as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.(K) 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate,(L) so that He might sanctify[d] the people by His own blood. 13 Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace.(M) 14 For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.(N) 15 Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.(O) 16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.(P) 17 Obey your leaders[e] and submit to them, for they keep watch(Q) over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us; for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.(R) 19 And I especially urge you to pray[f] that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Farewell

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep(S)—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,(T) 21 equip[g] you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever.[h](U) Amen.

22 Brothers, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with all of you.(V)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:3 Or mistreated, since you are also in a body
  2. Hebrews 13:5 Dt 31:6
  3. Hebrews 13:6 Ps 118:6
  4. Hebrews 13:12 Or set apart, or consecrate
  5. Hebrews 13:17 Or rulers
  6. Hebrews 13:19 Lit to do this
  7. Hebrews 13:21 Or perfect
  8. Hebrews 13:21 Other mss omit and ever

13 Let brotherly love continue.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.