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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.

Service Well-Pleasing to God

13 Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.[a] Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food,[b] which have not benefited those who observe them. 10 We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent[c] have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing—for that would be harmful to you.

18 Pray for us; we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us[d] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Exhortation and Greetings

22 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[e] bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free; and if he comes in time, he will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.[f]

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:3 Gk were in the body
  2. Hebrews 13:9 Gk not by foods
  3. Hebrews 13:10 Or tabernacle
  4. Hebrews 13:21 Other ancient authorities read you
  5. Hebrews 13:22 Gk brothers
  6. Hebrews 13:25 Other ancient authorities add Amen

The Changeless Christ

13 Let love of your fellow believers continue. Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.(A) Remember those who are in prison, as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body [and subject to physical suffering]. Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”(B) So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say,

The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”(C)

Remember your leaders [for it was they] who brought you the word of God; and consider the result of their conduct [the outcome of their godly lives], and imitate their faith [their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider of eternal salvation through Christ, and imitate their reliance on God with absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and strengthened by grace and not by foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no benefit or spiritual growth to those who observe them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle (sacred tent) have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.(D) 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His own blood. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the [a]camp, bearing His contempt [the disgrace and shame that He had to suffer].(E) 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

15 Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.(F) 16 Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.

17 Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.

18 Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, seeking to conduct ourselves honorably [that is, with moral courage and personal integrity] in all things. 19 And I urge all of you to pray earnestly, so that I may be restored to you soon.

Benediction

20 Now may the God of peace [the source of serenity and spiritual well-being] who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant,(G) 21 equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 I call on you, brothers and sisters, listen [patiently] to this message of exhortation and encouragement, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Notice that our brother Timothy has been released [from prison]. If he comes soon, I will see you [along with him]. 24 Give our greetings to all of your [spiritual] leaders and to all of the saints (God’s people). Those [Christians] from Italy send you their greetings.

25 Grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:13 I.e. leaving the ways and traditions of Judaism (the Levitical system, the old covenant) and adhering to the teaching (new covenant) of the Christ.

Worship That Pleases God

13 Continue loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Always remember to help people by welcoming them into your home. Some people have done that and have helped angels without knowing it. Don’t forget those who are in prison. Remember them as though you were in prison with them. And don’t forget those who are suffering. Remember them as though you were suffering with them.

Marriage should be honored by everyone. And every marriage should be kept pure between husband and wife. God will judge guilty those who commit sexual sins and adultery. Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said,

“I will never leave you;
    I will never run away from you.” (A)

So we can feel sure and say,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not be afraid.
People can do nothing to me.” (B)

Remember your leaders. They taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don’t let all kinds of strange teachings lead you into the wrong way. Depend only on God’s grace for spiritual strength, not on rules about foods. Obeying those rules doesn’t help anyone.

10 We have a sacrifice.[a] And those priests who serve in the Holy Tent cannot eat from the sacrifice we have. 11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place[b] and offers that blood for sins. But the bodies of those animals are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the city. He died to make his people holy with his own blood. 13 So we should go to Jesus outside the camp and accept the same shame that he had. 14 Here on earth we don’t have a city that lasts forever. But we are waiting for the city that we will have in the future. 15 So through Jesus we should never stop offering our sacrifice to God. That sacrifice is our praise, coming from lips that speak his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with others, because sacrifices like these are very pleasing to God.

17 Obey your leaders. Be willing to do what they say. They are responsible for your spiritual welfare, so they are always watching to protect you. Obey them so that their work will give them joy, not grief. It won’t help you to make it hard for them.

18 Continue praying for us. We feel right about what we do, because we always try to do what is best. 19 And I beg you to pray that God will send me back to you soon. I want this more than anything else.

20-21 I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so that you can do what he wants. God is the one who raised from death our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of his sheep. He raised him because Jesus sacrificed his blood to begin the new agreement that never ends. I pray that God will work through Jesus Christ to do the things in us that please him. To him be glory forever. Amen.

22 My brothers and sisters, I beg you to listen patiently to what I have said. I wrote this letter to strengthen you. And it is not very long. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy is out of prison. If he comes to me soon, we will both come to see you.

24 Give my greetings to all your leaders and to all God’s people. All those from Italy send you their greetings.

25 God’s grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:10 sacrifice Literally, “altar.” Here, it means the sacrifice (offering) of Jesus. He gave his life to pay for people’s sins.
  2. Hebrews 13:11 Most Holy Place Literally, “the holies,” the place in the Jewish Tabernacle or Temple where God met the high priest.

13 Let ahavat achim (brotherly love) continue.

Do not neglect hachnosas orchim (hospitality), for by this some without having da’as of it, have entertained malachim.

Have zikaron of the prisoners in the beis hasohar, as if having been bound with sharsherot (chains) with them; and those being tortured as though you were also.

Let the marriage Chuppah have respect in the eyes of all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for those guilty of gilui arayot (sexual immorality) and no’afim (adulterers), Hashem will judge.

Fier zich (comport oneself) in your derech free of chamdanut (covetousness), being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, LO ARPECHA V’LO E’EZVECHA ("I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” DEVARIM 31:6,8; YEHOSHUA 1:5),

So that we say with bitachon, HASHEM LI my helper, LO IRA MAH YA’ASEH LI ADAM ("The L-rd is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?"—TEHILLIM 118:6)?

Remember your manhigim and be machshiv (respect) and mechabed (honor) those who spoke to you the dvar Hashem; and considering the toitzaa (outcome) of their derech, imitate their Emunah.

Yehoshua—Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, the same etmol, hayom, ul’Olamim.

Do not be carried away by various torot zarot; for it is tov for the lev to be given chizzuk by the Chen v’Chesed Hashem, not by okhel through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.

10 We have a Mizbe’ach from which those who serve the Mishkan have no right to eat.

11 For the zevakhim whose dahm is brought into the Kodesh HaKodashim by the Kohen Gadol as a Kapparat HaChet are burned outside the makhaneh (camp).

12 Therefore, Yehoshua also, that he might make the Am Brit kadoshim through his own dahm, suffered outside the sha’ar.

13 So then, let us go out to him outside the makhaneh, bearing the reproach of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

14 For we do not have here a lasting Ir HaKodesh, but we seek one to come.

15 By him, therefore, let us offer up a zevach todah to Hashem continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving hodayah (thanksgiving) to SHMO (“HIS NAME” ZECHARIAH 6:11-12; 3:8).

16 But do not drift away from ma’asim tovim and sharing; for with such zevakhim Hashem is well pleased.

17 Obey your manhigim and submit to them; for they are being shomer over your neshamot, as those who have achraius (answerability, accountability) [to Hashem]. Let them do so with simcha and not with agmat nefesh, for that would not be profitable for you.

18 Daven tefillos for us, for we are persuaded that we have a clear matzpun (conscience) in everything, wishing to conduct ourselves commendably in all things.

19 And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you more quickly.

20 Now the Elohei Hashalom, who brought up in the Techiyas HaMoshiach, HaRo’eh HaTzon HaGadol, through the Dahm Brit Olam, even Adoneinu,

21 May He equip you with every ma’aseh tov in order to do His ratzon, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight through Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, to whom be kavod l’Olemei Olamim. Omein.

22 Now I urge you, Achim b’Moshiach, bear with this dvar hachizzuk, for indeed an iggeret I have written you bekitzur (briefly, concisely).

23 Have da’as that our Ach b’Moshiach Timotiyos has been released, with whom if he comes shortly, I will see you.

24 Shalom greetings to all your manhigim and all the kadoshim. The ones from Italy send shalom greetings to you.

25 Chen v’Chesed Hashem be with all of you. [T.N. MJ 4:15 "tempted in every way as we are, yet without chet." means chet as inborn and immemorial yetzer hara evil inclination which is Chet Kadmon Original Sin whose power and control is passed down to Bnei Adam from Adam, Ro3:9; Ro 5:12-see pages vii-ix on Moshiach Immanu-El Ben HaAlmah uncontaminated by Chet Kadmon].