Hebrews 13:7-19
13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith.
13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!
13:9 Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings.
1 For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals,
2 which have never benefited those who participated in them.
13:10 We have an altar that those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat from.
13:11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings
3 into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp.
13:12 Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp.
13:13 We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced.
4
13:14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name.
13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,
5 for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. 6 Let them do this 7 with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.
13:18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect.
13:19 I especially ask you to pray 8 that I may be restored to you very soon.
1 tn Grk “by diverse and strange teachings.”
2 tn Grk “foods,” referring to the meals associated with the OT sacrifices (see the contrast with the next verse; also 9:9-10; 10:1, 4, 11).
3 tn Grk “whose blood is brought by the high priest.”
4 tn Grk “his abuse.”
5 tn Grk “neglect doing good and fellowship.”
6 tn Or “as ones who will give an account”; Grk “as giving an account.”
7 tn Grk “that they may do this.”
8 tn Grk “I urge you to do this all the more.”