Hebrews 13
1 Let love of the brethren continue.
May love for each other as brothers and sisters always continue!
2 Forget not to shew love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Don't forget to show love for strangers too, because by doing so some have welcomed angels without knowing it.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are evil entreated, as being yourselves also in the body.
Remember those who are locked up in prison as if you were imprisoned with them. Remember those who are mistreated as if you were physically suffering with them.
4 [Let] marriage [be] had in honour among all, and [let] the bed [be] undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Everyone should honor marriage. Husbands and wives should be faithful to each other. God will judge adulterers.
5 Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
Don't love money; be content with what you have. God himself has said, “I'll never let you down; I'll never give up on you.”
6 So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?
That's why we can confidently say, “The Lord is the one who helps me, so I won't be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
7 Remember them that had the rule over you, which spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.
Remember your leaders who explained God's word to you. Look again at the results of their lives, and imitate their trust in God.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (aiōn g165)
9 Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be stablished by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited.
Don't get distracted by different kinds of strange teachings. It's good for the mind to be convinced by grace, not by laws concerning what we eat. Those who followed such laws didn't gain anything.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
We have an altar that those priests of the Tabernacle have no right to eat from.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest [as an offering] for sin, are burned without the camp.
The carcasses of the animals, whose blood is carried by the high priest into the most holy place as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate.
In the same way Jesus also died outside the city gate so that he could make God's people holy through his own blood.
13 Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
So let us go out to him, outside the camp, experiencing and sharing in his shame.
14 For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after [the city] which is to come.
For we don't have a permanent city to live in here, we're looking for the home that is still to come.
15 Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.
So let us through Jesus always offer a sacrifice of praise to God—this means speaking well of God, declaring his character.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
And don't forget to do what is good, and to share with others what you have, for God is pleased when you make such sacrifices.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit [to them]: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this [were] unprofitable for you.
Follow your leaders, and do what they tell you, for they are watching out for you and are accountable. Act in such a way that they can do this happily—and not with sadness, for that wouldn't help you!
18 Pray for us: for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honestly in all things.
Please pray for us. We're convinced we have acted in good conscience, always wanting to do what's good and right in every situation.
19 And I exhort [you] the more exceedingly to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
I really want you to pray hard so that I can come back to see you soon.
20 Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, [even] our Lord Jesus, (aiōnios g166)
Now may the God of peace who raised our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, from the dead, with the blood of an eternal agreement— (aiōnios g166)
21 make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
may he provide you with all that is good so you can do his will. May he work in us, doing everything that pleases him, through Jesus Christ—glory to him forever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
22 But I exhort you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words.
I want to encourage you, brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I've written to you in this short letter.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy hath been set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
You should know that Timothy has been set free. If he gets here soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
Give my greetings to all your leaders, and to all the believers there. The believers here in Italy send their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
May God's grace be with all of you. Amen.
