Chapter 13

The Changeless Christ

1 Let alove of the brethren continue.

2 Do not neglect to ashow hospitality to strangers, for by this some have bentertained angels without knowing it.

3 aRemember bthe prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

4 aMarriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; bfor fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Make sure that your character is afree from the love of money, bbeing content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “cI will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

6 so that we confidently say,

“aThe Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.

What will man do to me?”

7 Remember athose who led you, who spoke bthe word of God to you; and considering the 1result of their conduct, cimitate their faith.

8 aJesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9 aDo not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to bbe strengthened by grace, not by cfoods, dthrough which those who 1were so occupied were not benefited.

10 We have an altar afrom which those bwho serve the 1tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 For athe 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, athat He might sanctify the people bthrough His own blood, suffered coutside the gate.

13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, abearing His reproach.

14 For here awe do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking bthe city which is to come.

God-pleasing Sacrifices

15 aThrough Him then, let us continually offer up a bsacrifice of praise to God, that is, cthe fruit of lips that 1give thanks to His name.

16 And do not neglect doing good and asharing, for bwith such sacrifices God is pleased.

17 aObey your leaders and submit to them, for bthey keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. 1Let them do this with joy and not 2with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

18 aPray for us, for we are sure that we have a bgood conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

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

Benediction

20 Now athe God of peace, who bbrought up from the dead the cgreat Shepherd of the sheep 1through dthe blood of the eeternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,

21 aequip you in every good thing to do His will, bworking in us that cwhich is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, dto whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 But aI urge you, bbrethren, 1bear with 2this bword of exhortation, for cI have written to you briefly.

23 1Take notice that aour brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.

24 Greet aall of your leaders and all the 1bsaints. Those from cItaly greet you.

25 aGrace be with you all.