1Continue loving each other as brethren. 2Do not forget to be hospitable to strangers, for in doing so, some have welcomed angels without knowing it!2235 3Remember those who are in chains, as if chained with them, and also those who are ill-treated, as if you too were suffering in the body. 4Marriage must be held in honor among all and the [marriage] bed [kept] undefiled:2236 but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
5Be free from the love of money and be satisfied with what you have. As God has said:
I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.2237
6And so, we say with good courage:
The Lord is my helper, I will not fear.
What can man do to me?2238
7Remember your leaders, those men who proclaimed the word of God to you. Considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. It is good that the inner person2239 should be strengthened by grace, not by food which is of no profit to those who have been preoccupied by it!
10We have an altar from which those who offer divine service2240 [in] the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals (whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin) are burned outside of the camp.2241 12This is why Jesus suffered outside of the gate, so that he might sanctify the people through his own blood. 13Let us therefore go out [of the city] to him who is outside of the camp and let us bear his disgrace. 14For we do not have here [on earth] an enduring city, but we seek the one that is to come. 15Therefore, through him, [Jesus], let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,2242 the fruit of our lips which confessed his Name. 16But do not forget to do what is good and to share because God is well pleased with such sacrifices.
17Obey your leaders and submit to them as they watch over your souls as people who will give an account. This way, they will be able to do this with joy and not with grief because that would not be profitable for you.
18Pray for us: we trust that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. 19I strongly urge you to pray for this: that I may be restored to you sooner.
20Now may the God of peace, who with the blood of an eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, 21make you complete in every good work so that you may do his will. May God2243 work in you what is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory unto ages of ages. Amen.
22But I exhort you, brethren: take this word of exhortation attentively since I have written to you briefly. 23Know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will see you with him. 24Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25Grace be with you all! Amen.
- KJV has the famous expression “entertained angels unawares”
- The same Greek word is used in 7:26 to describe Christ as High Priest.
- Deuteronomy 31:6
- Psalm 118:6-7/117 LXX
- Greek “heart”
- Greek latreu,ontej
- Leviticus 16:27
- Psalm 50:23/49 LXX
- Greek “he”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
