Hebrews 13

1 Let brotherly love continue.

2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.

4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

5 Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”

6 So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

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

9 Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp.

12 Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.

13 Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.

15 Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.

16 But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

19 I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,

21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

23 Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Around Hebrews 13

Context

Context for this book is being written. A note appears here only once it names its sources.

AI explanation

Hebrews 13 · Written by an AI model · Not reviewed by a theological reader

This explanation was written by an AI model to help you get started. It names no sources and can contain mistakes. Scripture comes first, and context with sources is shown separately on this page.

What this chapter says

The sermon ends the way a good letter does, with small, close things. Let brotherly love continue. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, since some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison and those ill-treated. Keep marriage in honor. Be free from the love of money, content with what you have, for God has said he will never leave or forsake.

Under all the practical advice stands one steady line: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Teachings may drift, but he does not.

Then the writer turns to the picture he has been drawing all along. Jesus suffered outside the gate, so let's go out to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach, for we have no enduring city here. Offer a sacrifice of praise, and do good and share. A prayer for peace follows, and a few last notes: Timothy has been freed, and the Italians send greetings.

Background

This last chapter is a string of short commands, and then a blessing that mentions Jesus as the great shepherd of the sheep, brought back from the dead. Around verses 10 to 13 the writer returns to the sacrifices and the camp of Israel's wilderness (see Leviticus 16). The words The Italians greet you are read two ways: the writer may be in Italy, or may be sending greetings from Italians elsewhere to readers who may be in Italy. Scholars do not agree.

About this explanation

Written by Claude Sonnet 5.5, an AI model, on 19 October 2026. It draws on the WEB text and general knowledge and was not checked against sources by a person. Every quotation from Scripture is checked automatically against the WEB text.

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World English Bible. Public-domain source and edition notes