Divers admonitions and exhortations.
13:1. Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you.
13:2. And hospitality do not forget: for by this some, being not aware
of it, have entertained angels.
13:3. Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them:
and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.
13:4. Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For
fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Or, Let marriage be honourable in all.... That is, in all things
belonging to the marriage state. This is a warning to married people,
not to abuse the sanctity of their state, by any liberties or
irregularities contrary thereunto. Now it does not follow from this
text that all persons are obliged to marry, even if the word omnibus
were rendered, in all persons, instead of in all things: for if it was
a precept, St. Paul himself would have transgressed it, as he never
married. Moreover, those who have already made a vow to God to lead a
single life, should they attempt to marry, they would incur their own
damnation. 1 Tim. 5. 12.
13:5. Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such
things as you have. For he hath said: I will not leave thee: neither
will I forsake thee.
13:6. So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not
fear what man shall do to me.
13:7. Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you:
whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,
13:8. Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today: and the same for ever.
13:9. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is
best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats: which
have not profited those that walk in them.
13:10. We have an altar whereof they have no power to eat who serve the
tabernacle.
13:11. For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the
holies by the high priest for sin are burned without the camp.
13:12. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his
own blood, suffered without the gate.
13:13. Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his
reproach.
Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his
reproach.... That is, bearing his cross. It is an exhortation to them
to be willing to suffer with Christ, reproaches, persecutions, and even
death, if they desire to partake of the benefit of his suffering for
man’s redemption.
13:14. For, we have not here a lasting city: but we seek one that is to
come.
13:15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to
God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.
13:16. And do not forget to do good and to impart: for by such
sacrifices God’s favour is obtained.
13:17. Obey your prelates and be subject to them. For they watch as
being to render an account of your souls: that they may do this with
joy and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you.
13:18. Pray for us. For we trust we have a good conscience, being
willing to behave ourselves well in all things.
13:19. And I beseech you the more to do this, that I may be restored to
you the sooner.
13:20. And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the
great pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the
everlasting testament,
13:21. Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you
that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom
is glory for ever and ever. Amen.
13:22. And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of
consolation. For I have written to you in a few words.
13:23. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom
(if he come shortly) I will see you.
13:24. Salute all your prelates and all the saints. The brethren from
Italy salute you.
13:25. Grace be with you all. Amen.