1
Keep on loving each other as brothers.
2
Do not forget to entertain strangers,
for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
3
Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners,
and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure,
for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what
you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake
you."
6
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"
7
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings,
It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods,
which are of no value to those who eat them.
10
We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle
have no right to eat.
11
The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place
as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp.
12
And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy
through his own blood.
13
Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.
14
For here we do not have an enduring city,
but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -
the fruit of lips that confess his name.
16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for which such sacrifices God is pleased.
17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you
as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy,
not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience
and desire to live honorably in every way.
19
I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
20
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
21
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us
what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen.
22
Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation,
for I have written you only a short letter.
23
I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released.
If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24
Greet all your leaders and all God's people.
Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25
Grace be with you all.