13:1
Continue to love each other like brothers,
13:2
and remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
13:3
Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; and those who are being badly treated, since you too are in the body.
13:4
Marriage must be honoured by all, and marriages must be kept undefiled, because the sexually immoral and adulterers will come under God's judgement.
13:5
Put avarice out of your lives and be content with whatever you have; God himself has said: I shall not fail you or desert you,
13:6
and so we can say with confidence: With the Lord on my side, I fear nothing: what can human beings do to me?
13:7
Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, take their faith as your model.
13:8
Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever.
13:9
Do not be led astray by all sorts of strange doctrines: it is better to rely on grace for inner strength than on food, which has done no good to those who concentrate on it.
13:10
We have our own altar from which those who serve the Tent have no right to eat.
13:11
The bodies of the animals whose blood is taken into the sanctuary by the high priest for the rite of expiation are burnt outside the camp,
13:12
and so Jesus too suffered outside the gate to sanctify the people with his own blood.
13:13
Let us go to him, then, outside the camp, and bear his humiliation.
13:14
There is no permanent city for us here; we are looking for the one which is yet to be.
13:15
Through him, let us offer God an unending sacrifice of praise, the fruit of the lips of those who acknowledge his name.
13:16
Keep doing good works and sharing your resources, for these are the kinds of sacrifice that please God.
13:17
Obey your leaders and give way to them; they watch over your souls because they must give an account of them; make this a joy for them to do, and not a grief -- you yourselves would be the losers.
13:18
Pray for us; we are sure that our own conscience is clear and we are certainly determined to behave honourably in everything we do.
13:19
I ask you very particularly to pray that I may come back to you all the sooner.
13:20
I pray that the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood that sealed an eternal covenant,
13:21
may prepare you to do his will in every kind of good action; effecting in us all whatever is acceptable to himself through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
13:22
I urge you, brothers, to take these words of encouragement kindly; that is why I have written to you briefly.
13:23
I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he arrives in time, he will be with me when I see you.
13:24
Greetings to all your leaders and to all God's holy people. God's holy people in Italy send you greetings.
13:25
Grace be with you all.
Previous
Next