THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

Passage: Hebrews 13:9-25

Key verse: 15

NIV

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.(A) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened(B) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,(C) which is of no benefit to those who do so.(D) 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle(E) have no right to eat.(F)

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,(G) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.(H) 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate(I) to make the people holy(J) through his own blood.(K) 13 Let us, then, go to him(L) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.(M) 14 For here we do not have an enduring city,(N) but we are looking for the city that is to come.(O)

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice(P) of praise—the fruit of lips(Q) that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others,(R) for with such sacrifices(S) God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders(T) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you(U) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us.(V) We are sure that we have a clear conscience(W) and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.(X)

Benediction and Final Greetings

20 Now may the God of peace,(Y) who through the blood of the eternal covenant(Z) brought back from the dead(AA) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,(AB) 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will,(AC) and may he work in us(AD) what is pleasing to him,(AE) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.(AF)

22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.(AG)

23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy(AH) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

24 Greet all your leaders(AI) and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy(AJ) send you their greetings.

25 Grace be with you all.(AK)

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

9 Do not be (A)led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, (B)not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar (C)from which those who serve the tent[a] have no right to eat. 11 For (D)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned (E)outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also (F)suffered (G)outside the gate in order to sanctify the people (H)through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear (I)the reproach he endured. 14 For (J)here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 (K)Through him then let us continually offer up (L)a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, (M)the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and (N)to share what you have, for such (O)sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey (P)your leaders and submit to them, (Q)for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to (R)give an account. (S)Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

18 (T)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order (U)that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction

20 Now (V)may the God of peace (W)who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, (X)the great shepherd of the sheep, by (Y)the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 (Z)equip you with everything good that you may do his will, (AA)working in us[b] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, (AB)to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

22 I appeal to you, brothers,[c] bear with my word of exhortation, for (AC)I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that (AD)our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all (AE)your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 (AF)Grace be with all of you.

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Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 13:10 Or tabernacle
  2. Hebrews 13:21 Some manuscripts you
  3. Hebrews 13:22 Or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Go outside the camp (9-14) We should resist getting carried away by new teachings about ceremonies, because we always have access to grace that can strengthen our hearts. In our lives of faith, we should not be ashamed to bear disgrace and be misunderstood and excluded by people, because Jesus was also rejected and suffered outside the city to make us holy. This world is not our permanent home. 2. A sacrifice of praise (15-25) Finally, we should remember that thankful praise is an offering that always pleases God. Being gloomy and negative is not gospel holiness. We shouldn't make our leaders' job more difficult than it already is, but support them. We need to pray for each other continually, even those that seem strong. Our Lord Jesus will equip us with everything good for doing his will.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being my good shepherd to the end. I pray for us all to maintain your grace.

One Word: Offer the sacrifice of praise