Hebrews 13
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
VI. Final Exhortation, Blessing, Greetings
Chapter 13
1 [a]Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.(A) 3 Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.(B) 4 Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.(C) 5 Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.”(D) 6 Thus we may say with confidence:
“The Lord is my helper,
[and] I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”(E)
7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(F)
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.[b] It is good to have our hearts strengthened by grace and not by foods, which do not benefit those who live by them.(G) 10 We have an altar[c] from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 The bodies of the animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.(H) 12 Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate, to consecrate the people by his own blood.(I) 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach that he bore. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come.(J) 15 Through him [then] let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.(K) 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.(L)
17 [d]Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are confident that we have a clear conscience, wishing to act rightly in every respect. 19 I especially ask for your prayers that I may be restored to you very soon.
20 [e]May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord,(M) 21 furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever [and ever]. Amen.
22 Brothers, I ask you to bear with this message of encouragement, for I have written to you rather briefly. 23 I must let you know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he comes soon, I shall see you together with him.(N) 24 Greetings to all your leaders and to all the holy ones. Those from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.(O)
Footnotes
- 13:1–16 After recommendations on social and moral matters (Hb 13:1–6), the letter turns to doctrinal issues. The fact that the original leaders are dead should not cause the recipients of this letter to lose their faith (Hb 13:7), for Christ still lives and he remains always the same (Hb 13:8). They must not rely for their personal sanctification on regulations concerning foods (Hb 13:9), nor should they entertain the notion that Judaism and Christianity can be intermingled (Hb 13:10; cf. notes on Gal 2:11–14; 2:15–21). As Jesus died separated from his own people, so must the Christian community remain apart from the religious doctrines of Judaism (Hb 13:11–14). Christ must be the heart and center of the community (Hb 13:15–16).
- 13:9 Strange teaching: this doctrine about foods probably refers to the Jewish food laws; in view of Hb 13:10, however, the author may be thinking of the Mosaic sacrificial banquets.
- 13:10 We have an altar: this does not refer to the Eucharist, which is never clearly mentioned in Hebrews, but to the sacrifice of Christ.
- 13:17–25 Recommending obedience to the leaders of the community, the author asks for prayers (Hb 13:17–19). The letter concludes with a blessing (Hb 13:20–21), a final request for the acceptance of its message (Hb 13:22), information regarding Timothy (Hb 13:23), and general greetings (Hb 13:24–25).
- 13:20–21 These verses constitute one of the most beautiful blessings in the New Testament. The resurrection of Jesus is presupposed throughout Hebrews, since it is included in the author’s frequently expressed idea of his exaltation, but this is the only place where it is explicitly mentioned.
Hebrews 13
Living Bible
13 Continue to love each other with true brotherly love. 2 Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Don’t forget about those in jail. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, for you know what they are going through.
4 Honor your marriage and its vows, and be pure; for God will surely punish all those who are immoral or commit adultery.
5 Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” 6 That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.”
7 Remember your leaders who have taught you the Word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and try to trust the Lord as they do.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your spiritual strength comes as a gift from God, not from ceremonial rules about eating certain foods—a method which, by the way, hasn’t helped those who have tried it!
10 We have an altar—the cross where Christ was sacrificed—where those who continue to seek salvation by obeying Jewish laws can never be helped. 11 Under the system of Jewish laws, the high priest brought the blood of the slain animals into the sanctuary as a sacrifice for sin, and then the bodies of the animals were burned outside the city. 12 That is why Jesus suffered and died outside the city, where his blood washed our sins away.
13 So let us go out to him beyond the city walls (that is, outside the interests of this world, being willing to be despised[a]) to suffer with him there, bearing his shame. 14 For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.
15 With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of his name. 16 Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to him. 17 Obey your spiritual leaders and be willing to do what they say. For their work is to watch over your souls, and God will judge them on how well they do this. Give them reason to report joyfully about you to the Lord and not with sorrow, for then you will suffer for it too.
18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to keep it that way. 19 I especially need your prayers right now so that I can come back to you sooner.
20-21 And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 Brethren, please listen patiently to what I have said in this letter, for it is a short one. 23 I want you to know that Brother Timothy is now out of jail; if he comes here soon, I will come with him to see you. 24-25 Give my greetings to all your leaders and to the other believers there. The Christians from Italy who are here with me send you their love. God’s grace be with you all. Good-bye.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 13:13 that is . . . willing to be despised, implied.
Evrei 13
Nouă Traducere În Limba Română
Îndemnuri finale
13 Stăruiţi în dragostea frăţească! 2 Nu neglijaţi să arătaţi ospitalitate străinilor, pentru că, prin aceasta, unii au găzduit, fără să ştie, îngeri! 3 Amintiţi-vă de cei care sunt închişi, ca şi cum aţi fi închişi împreună cu ei, şi de cei care sunt torturaţi, ca şi cum voi înşivă aţi fi în suferinţă! 4 Căsătoria să fie onorată în toate, iar patul să fie păstrat nepângărit, pentru că Dumnezeu îi va judeca pe cei desfrânaţi şi adulteri! 5 Să nu fiţi dintre cei care iubesc banii! Fiţi mulţumiţi cu ceea ce aveţi, pentru că El a spus: „Nicidecum nu te voi părăsi, nici nu te voi uita!“[a] 6 Astfel, putem spune cu încredere:
„Domnul este ajutorul meu; de aceea nu mă voi teme!
Ce-mi poate face un om?!“[b]
7 Amintiţi-vă de conducătorii voştri, care v-au spus Cuvântul lui Dumnezeu! Uitaţi-vă la sfârşitul felului lor de viaţă şi urmaţi-le exemplul de credinţă! 8 Isus Cristos este acelaşi – ieri, astăzi şi în veci! 9 Să nu fiţi duşi în rătăcire de tot felul de învăţături străine, pentru că este bine pentru inimă să fie întărită prin har, nu prin porunci cu privire la mâncare, porunci care nu i-au ajutat pe cei ce au ascultat de ele! 10 Noi avem un altar de unde cei care slujesc la cort nu au dreptul să mănânce. 11 Căci sângele animalelor este adus ca jertfă pentru păcate în Locul Preasfânt de către marele preot, iar trupurile animalelor sunt arse afară din tabără. 12 De aceea, Isus a suferit dincolo de poarta cetăţii, ca să sfinţească poporul prin sângele Lui. 13 Aşadar, să ieşim la El, în afara taberei, şi să îndurăm ruşinea Lui. 14 Noi nu avem aici o cetate permanentă, ci suntem în căutarea celei care urmează să vină. 15 Prin El deci să-I aducem întotdeauna o jertfă de laudă lui Dumnezeu, adică rodul buzelor noastre care mărturisesc Numele Lui! 16 Să nu uitaţi binefacerea şi dărnicia, pentru că lui Dumnezeu astfel de jertfe Îi plac!
17 Ascultaţi de conducătorii voştri şi supuneţi-vă lor, căci ei au grijă de sufletele voastre şi vor fi răspunzători de ele, pentru ca astfel ei să facă aceasta cu bucurie şi nu gemând, lucru care nu v-ar fi de nici un folos!
18 Rugaţi-vă pentru noi! Suntem siguri că avem o conştiinţă bună, dorind să ne comportăm bine în toate. 19 Vă îndemn tot mai mult să faceţi aceasta, ca să vă fiu trimis înapoi repede!
20 Dumnezeul păcii, Care L-a adus înapoi dintre cei morţi pe Domnul nostru Isus, marele Păstor[c] al oilor, prin sângele legământului veşnic, 21 să vă echipeze cu orice lucru bun, pentru a-I face voia, lucrând între noi ceea ce este plăcut înaintea Lui, prin Isus Cristos, Căruia I se cuvine slava în vecii vecilor! Amin.
22 Vă îndemn, fraţilor, să primiţi cuvântul de încurajare pe care vi l-am scris. De aceea v-am scris pe scurt. 23 Vreau să ştiţi că fratele nostru Timotei a fost eliberat. Dacă soseşte curând, va fi cu mine când vă voi vedea.
24 Salutaţi-i pe toţi conducătorii voştri şi pe toţi sfinţii! Cei din Italia vă salută. 25 Harul să fie cu voi toţi!
Footnotes
- Evrei 13:5 Vezi Deut. 31:6
- Evrei 13:6 Vezi Ps. 118:6, 7
- Evrei 13:20 Conceptul de păstor trebuie înţeles aici în contextul său vechi-testamental: Dumnezeu Însuşi este Păstorul lui Israel (Ps. 80:1; Is. 40:10-11; Eze 34:11-16); Dumnezeu a dat turma în grija conducătorilor, păstorii lui Israel, care însă nu au avut grijă de ea (Is. 56:9-12; Eze 34); Dumnezeu Îl va trimite pe adevăratul Păstor, pe Mesia, pentru a avea grijă de oi (Eze 34:23)
Hebrews 13
King James Version
13 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 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.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 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.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 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.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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Nouă Traducere În Limba Română (Holy Bible, New Romanian Translation) Copyright © 2006 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.