The Changeless Christ

13 Let (A)love of the brothers and sisters continue. Do not neglect (B)hospitality to strangers, for by this some have (C)entertained angels without knowing it. (D)Remember (E)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are badly treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (F)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; (G)for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Make sure that your character is (H)free from the love of money, (I)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “(J)I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” so that we confidently say,

(K)The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”

Remember (L)those who led you, who spoke (M)the word of God to you; and considering the [a]result of their way of life, (N)imitate their faith. (O)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever. (P)Do not be misled by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to (Q)be strengthened by grace, not by (R)foods, (S)through which those who [b]were so occupied were not benefited. 10 We have an altar (T)from which those (U)who serve the [c]tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For (V)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 the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered (W)outside the gate, (X)that He might sanctify the people (Y)through His own blood. 13 So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, (Z)bearing His reproach. 14 For here (AA)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking (AB)the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

15 (AC)Through Him then, let’s continually offer up a (AD)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, (AE)the fruit of lips praising His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and (AF)sharing, for (AG)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 (AH)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for (AI)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not [d]groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you.

18 (AJ)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a (AK)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, (AL)so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

Benediction

20 Now may (AM)the God of peace, who (AN)brought up from the dead the (AO)great Shepherd of the sheep [e]through (AP)the blood of the (AQ)eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, 21 (AR)equip you in every good thing to do His will, (AS)working in us that (AT)which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, (AU)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 But (AV)I urge you, (AW)brothers and sisters, [f]listen patiently to [g]this (AX)word of exhortation, for (AY)I have written to you briefly. 23 Know that (AZ)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. 24 Greet (BA)all of your leaders and all the [h](BB)saints. Those from (BC)Italy greet you.

25 (BD)Grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:7 Or end of their life
  2. Hebrews 13:9 Lit walked
  3. Hebrews 13:10 Or sacred tent
  4. Hebrews 13:17 Or sighing
  5. Hebrews 13:20 Lit in
  6. Hebrews 13:22 Or listen to
  7. Hebrews 13:22 Lit the
  8. Hebrews 13:24 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

Concluding Ethical Instructions

13 Brotherly love must continue. Do not neglect hospitality, because through this some have received angels as guests without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though you were fellow-prisoners; remember[a] the mistreated, as though you yourselves also are being mistreated[b] in the body. Marriage must be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed be undefiled, because God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. Your lifestyle must be free from the love of money, being content with what you have. For he himself has said, “I will never desert you, and I will never abandon you.”[c] So then, we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.[d]
What will man do to me?”[e]

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you; considering the outcome of their way of life[f], imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever[g]. Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods by which those who participate have not benefited. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve in the tabernacle do not have the right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sins are burned up outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, in order that he might sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 So we must go out to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For here we do not have a permanent city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Therefore through him let us offer up a sacrifice of praise continually[h] to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and generosity, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, and want to conduct ourselves commendably in every way. 19 And I especially urge you to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly.

Benediction

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

Conclusion

22 Now I urge you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for indeed I have written to you briefly[k]. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I will see you, if he comes quickly enough. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with all of you.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:3 This is an understood repetition of the verb from the previous clause
  2. Hebrews 13:3 This is an understood repetition of the participle from the previous clause
  3. Hebrews 13:5 A quotation from Deut 31:6, 8
  4. Hebrews 13:6 Some manuscripts have “and I will not be afraid”
  5. Hebrews 13:6 A quotation from Ps 118:6
  6. Hebrews 13:7 Literally “of whom considering the outcome of the way of life”
  7. Hebrews 13:8 Literally “to the ages”
  8. Hebrews 13:15 Literally “through all”
  9. Hebrews 13:21 Literally “to the ages”
  10. Hebrews 13:21 Some manuscripts have “forever and ever” (literally, “to the ages of the ages”)
  11. Hebrews 13:22 Literally “through few words”