Dual Panel1LET LOVE for your fellow believers continue {and} be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail].
2Do not forget {or} neglect {or} refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood--being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.
3Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are ill-treated, since you also are liable to bodily sufferings.
4Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge {and} punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.
5Let your character {or} moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you {nor} give you up {nor} leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless {nor} forsake {nor} let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
6So we take comfort {and} are encouraged {and} confidently {and} boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?
7Remember your leaders {and} superiors in authority [for it was they] who brought to you the Word of God. Observe attentively {and} consider their manner of living (the outcome of their well-spent lives) and imitate their faith (their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ, and their leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness).
8Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).
9Do not be carried about by different {and} varied and alien teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established {and} ennobled {and} strengthened by means of grace (God's favor and spiritual blessing) and not [to be devoted to] foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no [spiritual] benefit {or} profit to those who observe them.
10We have an altar from which those who serve {and} worship in the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11For when the blood of animals is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin, the victims' bodies are burned outside the limits of the camp.
12Therefore Jesus also suffered {and} died outside the [city's] gate in order that He might purify {and} consecrate the people through [the shedding of] His own blood {and} set them apart as holy [for God].
13Let us then go forth [from all that would prevent us] to Him outside the camp [at Calvary], bearing the contempt {and} abuse {and} shame with Him.
14For here we have no permanent city, but we are looking for the one which is to come.
15Through Him, therefore, let us constantly {and} at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge {and} confess {and} glorify His name.
16Do not forget {or} neglect to do kindness {and} good, to be generous {and} distribute {and} contribute to the needy [of the church as embodiment and proof of fellowship], for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls {and} guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing {and} groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either].
18Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good (clear) conscience, that we want to walk uprightly {and} live a noble life, acting honorably {and} in complete honesty in all things.
19And I beg of you [to pray for us] the more earnestly, in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21Strengthen (complete, perfect) {and} make you what you ought to be {and} equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you {and} accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).
22I call on you, brethren, to listen patiently {and} bear with this message of exhortation {and} admonition {and} encouragement, for I have written to you briefly.
23Notice that our brother Timothy has been released [from prison]. If he comes here soon, I will see you along with him.
24Give our greetings to all of your spiritual leaders and to all of the saints (God's consecrated believers). The Italian Christians send you their greetings [also].
25Grace (God's favor and spiritual blessing) be with you all. {Amen (so be it).}