Sacrifices Pleasing to God

13 Continue in brotherly love. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by showing hospitality some have hosted angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Also remember those who are mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering with them. 4 Marriage must be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed must be kept pure, [fn]but God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for God has said, “I will never leave yoʋ or forsake yoʋ.” 6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my [fn]helper,

so I will not fear anything that man might do to me.”

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their conduct, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried [fn]away by various kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, which have not benefited those who follow them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through [fn]Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, desiring to live honorably in every way. 19 I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly.