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Final Exhortations

¹ Brotherly love must continue. ² Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. ³ Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment. ⁴ Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. ⁵ Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you and I will never abandon you." ⁶ So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?" ⁷ Remember your leaders, who spoke God's message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! ⁹ Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, which have never benefited those who participated in them. ¹⁰ We have an altar that those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat from. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp. ¹³ We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced. ¹⁴ For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you. ¹⁸ Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect. ¹⁹ I especially ask you to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.

Benediction and Conclusion

²⁰ Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, ²¹ equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

²² Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, bear with my message of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you briefly. ²³ You should know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon, he will be with me when I see you. ²⁴ Greetings to all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. ²⁵ Grace be with you all.