Young's Literal Translation YLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 Let brotherly love remain;
1
Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love.
2 of the hospitality be not forgetful, for through this unawares certain did entertain messengers;
2
Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!
3 be mindful of those in bonds, as having been bound with them, of those maltreated, as also yourselves being in the body;
3
Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you.
4 honourable [is] the marriage in all, and the bed undefiled, and whoremongers and adulterers God shall judge.
4
Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.
5 Without covetousness the behaviour, being content with the things present, for He hath said, `No, I will not leave, no, nor forsake thee,'
5
Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"
6 so that we do boldly say, `The Lord [is] to me a helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.'
6
we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?
7 Be mindful of those leading you, who did speak to you the word of God, whose faith -- considering the issue of the behaviour -- be imitating,
7
Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all.
8 Jesus Christ yesterday and to-day the same, and to the ages;
8
For Jesus doesn't change - yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself.
9 with teachings manifold and strange be not carried about, for [it is] good that by grace the heart be confirmed, not with meats, in which they who were occupied were not profited;
9
Don't be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don't seem to do much for those who buy them.
10 we have an altar, of which to eat they have no authority who the tabernacle are serving,
10
The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot.
11 for of those beasts whose blood is brought for sin into the holy places through the chief priest -- of these the bodies are burned without the camp.
11
In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin.
12 Wherefore, also Jesus -- that he might sanctify through [his] own blood the people -- without the gate did suffer;
12
It's the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates - that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God's altar to cleanse his people.
13 now, then, may we go forth unto him without the camp, his reproach bearing;
13
So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is - not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus.
14 for we have not here an abiding city, but the coming one we seek;
14
This "insider world" is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come.
15 through him, then, we may offer up a sacrifice of praise always to God, that is, the fruit of lips, giving thanks to His name;
15
Let's take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus' name.
16 and of doing good, and of fellowship, be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.
16
Make sure you don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship - a different kind of "sacrifice" - that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
17 Be obedient to those leading you, and be subject, for these do watch for your souls, as about to give account, that with joy they may do this, and not sighing, for this [is] unprofitable to you.
17
Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?
18 Pray for us, for we trust that we have a good conscience, in all things willing to behave well,
18
Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but it's hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God.
19 and more abundantly do I call upon [you] to do this, that more quickly I may be restored to you.
19
Pray that we may be together soon.
20 And the God of the peace, who did bring up out of the dead the great shepherd of the sheep -- in the blood of an age-during covenant -- our Lord Jesus,
20
May God, who puts all things together, makes all things whole, Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, up and alive from the dead,
21 make you perfect in every good work to do His will, doing in you that which is well-pleasing before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom [is] the glory -- to the ages of the ages! Amen.
21
Now put you together, provide you with everything you need to please him, Make us into what gives him most pleasure, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. All glory to Jesus forever and always! Oh, yes, yes, yes.
22 And I entreat you, brethren, suffer the word of the exhortation, for also through few words I have written to you.
22
Friends, please take what I've written most seriously. I've kept this as brief as possible; I haven't piled on a lot of extras.
23 Know ye that the brother Timotheus is released, with whom, if he may come more shortly, I will see you.
23
You'll be glad to know that Timothy has been let out of prison. If he leaves soon, I'll come with him and get to see you myself.
24 Salute all those leading you, and all the saints; salute you doth those from Italy:
24
Say hello to your pastoral leaders and all the congregations. Everyone here in Italy wants to be remembered to you.
25 the grace [is] with you all! Amen.
25
Grace be with you, every one.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.