The Epistle to the Hebrews

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- Chapter 13 -

Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you.

And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels.

Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them; and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.

Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Christ’s Unchanging Nature

Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have; for he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.

So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me.

Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,

Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today; and the same for ever.

Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them.

We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle.

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

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

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

For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.

Sacrifice, Obedience, and Prayer

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.

And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God’s favour is obtained.

Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you.

Pray for us. For we trust we have a good conscience, being willing to behave ourselves well in all things.

And I beseech you the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction and Farewell

And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the everlasting testament,

Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.

And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of consolation. For I have written to you in a few words.

Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom (if he come shortly) I will see you.

Salute all your prelates, and all the saints. The brethren from Italy salute you.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

Let brotherly love continue.

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Christ’s Unchanging Nature

Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”(a)

So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”(b)

Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat.

For 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 of the camp.(c)

Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.

Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.

For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.

Sacrifice, Obedience, and Prayer

Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God

(d)

continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.

But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

Benediction and Farewell

Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,

make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

Footnotes

(a)13:5 ℘ Deuteronomy 31:6

(b)13:6 ℘ Psalms 118:6-7

(d)13:15 ℘ Psalms 50:23