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Sacrifices Pleasing to God

¹ Let ^(C1)love of the brothers continue.² Do not neglect to ^(C1)show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have ^(C2)entertained angels without knowing it.^3 (C1)Remember ^(C2)the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you yourselves also are in the body.^4 (C1)Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled, ^(C2)for the sexually immoral and adulterers God will judge.⁵ Make sure that your way of life is ^(C1)free from the love of money, ^(C2)being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "^(C3)I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"⁶ so that we confidently say,

"^(C1)THE ^(F1)LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.
WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

⁷ Remember your ^(C1)leaders, who spoke ^(C2)the word of God to you; and considering the ^(F1)result of their conduct, ^(C3)imitate their faith.^8 (C1)Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^9 (C1)Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to ^(C2)be strengthened by grace, not by ^(C3)foods, ^(C4)through which those who ^(F1)were so occupied were not benefited.¹⁰ We have an altar ^(C1)from which those ^(C2)who serve the tabernacle have no authority to eat.¹¹ For ^(C1)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.¹² Therefore Jesus also, ^(C1)that He might sanctify the people ^(C2)through His own blood, suffered ^(C3)outside the gate.¹³ So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, ^(C1)bearing His reproach.¹⁴ For here ^(C1)we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking ^(C2)the one to come.^15 (C1)Through Him then, let us continually offer up a ^(C2)sacrifice of praise to God, that is, ^(C3)the fruit of lips that confess His name.¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and ^(C1)sharing, for ^(C2)with such sacrifices God is pleased.

^17 (C1)Obey your leaders and submit to them—for ^(C2)they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they will do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.

^18 (C1)Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a ^(C2)good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves well in all things.¹⁹ And I urge you all the more to do this, ^(C1)so that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction

²⁰ Now ^(C1)the God of peace, who ^(C2)brought up from the dead the ^(C3)great Shepherd of the sheep ^(F1)through ^(C4)the blood of the ^(C5)eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,^21 (C1)equip you in every good thing to do His will, by ^(C2)doing in us ^(C3)what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(C4)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² But ^(C1)I urge you, ^(C2)brothers, ^(F1)bear with ^(F2)this ^(C2)word of exhortation, for ^(C3)I have written to you briefly.²³ Know that ^(C1)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.²⁴ Greet ^(C1)all of your leaders and all the ^(F1)(C2)saints. Those from ^(C3)Italy greet you.

^25 (C1)Grace be with you all.