Let brotherly love continue. 2Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.
4Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God1 will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
5Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 2
6So that with good courage we say,
“The LORD3 is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 4
7Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8‘ISA5 AL-MASIH6 is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by food, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
10We have an altar from which those who serve 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. 12Therefore ‘ISA also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. 13Let us therefore go forth to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. 14For we do not have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come. 15Through 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. 16But do not forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honourably in all things. 19I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.
20Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our LORD ‘ISA, 21make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through ‘ISA AL-MASIH, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
22But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you. 24Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. 25Grace be with you all. Amen.
- 13:4 God, English translation of theos. It is the Greek equivalent of elohim and eloah (Hebrew) which are related to allah (Arabic) and alaha (Syriac), all of which translate as “God,” and refer to the one true God. ↩︎
- 13:5 Citing the Taurat, Deuteronomy 31:6-8 which says: “Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be scared of them: for YAHWEH your God, he it is who does go with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Musa called to Yusha, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage: for you shall go with this people into the land which YAHWEH has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. YAHWEH himself is the one who goes before you; he will be with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you: do not be afraid, neither be dismayed.” ↩︎
- 13:6 LORD, the use of all capital letters means that the original Hebrew text quoted here uses God’s Name, YAHWEH, which God-fearing Jews to this day do not say out of respect. YAHWEH is the Name God revealed to Prophet Musa in the Taurat, Exodus 3:15 – God said moreover to Musa, “You shall tell Bani-Israel this, ‘YAHWEH, the God of your fathers, the God of Ibrahim, the God of Ishaq, and the God of Yaqub, has sent me to you.’ This is my Name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered to all generations.” ↩︎
- 13:6 Quoting the Greek LXX text of the Zabur 118:6 closely. The Hebrew text says: “YAHWEH is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” ↩︎
- 13:8 ‘ISA – The names ‘ISA (Arabic), ISHO (Syriac) and JESUS (Greek, IESOUS) are all derived from the Hebrew name YEHOSHUA, which means “YAHWEH saves.” (YAHWEH is God’s personal name revealed to Prophet Musa in the Taurat, Exodus 3:15 – God said moreover to Musa, “You shall tell Bani-Israel this, ‘YAHWEH, the God of your fathers, the God of Ibrahim, the God of Ishaq, and the God of Yaqub, has sent me to you.’ This is my Name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered to all generations.”) ↩︎
- 13:8 AL-MASIH – an Arabic title equivalent to the Messiah (Hebrew) or Christ (Greek), all of which mean the Anointed One, that is, God’s Chosen One. In ancient times, divinely-appointed kings, priests and prophets were anointed with oil to signify their appointment to office. All of them point ahead to God’s ultimate Anointed One, the Messiah, AL-MASIH. Al-Kitab unanimously points to ‘ISA Ibn Maryam as the only person worthy to bear the title AL-MASIH. He is the one whom God sent into this world to save people from sin, and to usher in God’s Kingdom at his Second Coming. ↩︎