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Final Exhortations

¹ Let brotherly love^(C1) continue. ² Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.^{(C1) 3} Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated,^(F1) as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.^{(F2) 4} Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.^{(C1) 5} Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.^{(F1)(C1) 6} Therefore, we may boldly say,

⁷ Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.^{(C1) 8} Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.^{(C1) 9} Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by food regulations, since those who observe them have not benefited.^{(C1) 10} We have an altar from which those who worship at the tabernacle do not have a right to eat.^{(C1) 11} For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest^(C1) as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.^{(C2) 12} Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the gate,^(C1) so that he might sanctify^(F1) the people by his own blood. ¹³ Let us then go to him outside the camp, bearing his disgrace.^{(C1) 14} For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.^{(C1) 15} Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.^{(C1) 16} Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.^{(C1) 17} Obey your leaders^(F1) and submit to them, since they keep watch^(C1) over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. ¹⁸ Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.^{(C1) 19} And I urge you all the more to pray^(F1) that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Farewell

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep^(C1)—through the blood of the everlasting covenant,^{(C2) 21} equip^(F1) you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.^(F2)(C1) Amen.

²² Brothers and sisters, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. ²³ Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. ²⁴ Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy send you greetings. ²⁵ Grace be with you all.^(C1)