Hebrews 13

Let brotherly love continue.

1Keep on loving each other like a family.

2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

2Do not forget to be kind to strangers. Welcome them in. Some people who did this welcomed angels and never knew it.

3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

3Remember people who are in prison. Feel it as if you were locked up with them. Remember people who are treated badly. You have a body that can hurt too.

4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

4Everyone should treat marriage as something special. A husband and wife should keep themselves only for each other. God will judge people who do wrong with sex, and people who are unfaithful.

5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

5Do not let loving money run your life. Be happy with what you have. God has said, "I will never leave you. I will never walk away from you."

Note"Conversation" in 1611 English meant the whole way a person lives, not talking.

6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

6So we can say bravely, "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

7Remember your leaders. They told you God's message. Think about how they lived and how their life ended. Trust God the way they did.

8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

9Do not get pulled away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for your heart to be made strong by God's kindness. Rules about food never helped the people who lived by them.

Note"Meats" in 1611 English meant food of any kind, not just animal meat.

10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

10We have an altar of our own. The priests who serve at the worship tent are not allowed to eat from it.

11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

11The high priest is the top priest. He carries the blood of animals into the holy room as a gift for sin. But the bodies of those animals are burned outside the camp.

12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

12In the same way, Jesus suffered and died outside the city gate. He used his own blood to make his people clean and holy.

13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

13So let us go out to him, outside the camp. Let us be willing to be shamed as he was.

14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

14No city here lasts forever. We are looking for the city that is still to come.

15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

15So through Jesus, let us always bring God a gift of praise. That gift is the words of our mouths thanking his name.

16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

16Do not forget to do good and to share with others. Gifts like these make God glad.

17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

17Obey your leaders and follow what they say. They watch over you and care about you. One day they must tell God how they did. Let them do this work with joy, not sadness. Sadness would not help you at all.

18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

18Pray for us. We are sure we have done nothing we must hide. In everything, we want to live in an honest way.

19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

19I ask you even more to pray this: that I can come back to you soon.

20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

20God is the God of peace. He brought our Lord Jesus back from the dead. Jesus is the great shepherd who cares for the sheep. God did this through the blood of the promise that lasts forever.

21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21May God give you everything you need to do what he wants. May he work in us and make us pleasing to him. He does this through Jesus Christ. May Jesus have glory forever and ever. Amen.

Note"Make you perfect" here means to equip or supply you with what you need.

22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

22Brothers and sisters, please listen patiently to these words that push you on. I have written to you only a short letter.

Note"Suffer the word" means put up with it, or listen patiently.

23Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

23I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been let out of prison. If he comes soon, I will bring him when I visit you.

24Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

24Say hello to all your leaders and to all of God's people. The people from Italy say hello to you.

25Grace be with you all. Amen.

25May God's kindness be with you all. Amen.