Hebrews 13:17

Authority and leadership Obedience Fellowship and the church

¹⁵ By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

¹⁶ But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

¹⁸ Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

¹⁹ But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
KJV: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
WEB: 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.
ASV: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit [to them]: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this [were] unprofitable for you.
DARBY: Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for *they* watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning, for this [would be] unprofitable for you.
BLB: Obey you⁺ those leading and be subject, for they watch over your⁺ souls as [those who] will give an account, so that they may do this with joy and not groaning, for this [is] unprofitable for you⁺.

ÅB: Lyd deres veiledere og rett dere etter dem! for de våker over deres sjeler som de som skal gjøre regnskap, så de kan gjøre det med glede og ikke sukkende; for det er dere ikke til gagn.
OTB: Ha tillit til deres ledere og underordne dere deres autoritet, for de våker over deres sjeler som de som må avlegge regnskap. La dem gjøre dette med glede og ikke med sukk, for det ville ikke være til nytte for dere.
B1930: Lyd eders veiledere og rett eder efter dem! for de våker over eders sjeler som de som skal gjøre regnskap, så de kan gjøre det med glede og ikke sukkende; for det er eder ikke til gagn.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
Read in context
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Read in context
Hebrews 13:7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Read in context
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Read in context
Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Read in context
1 Peter 5:2–3
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Read in context
1 Corinthians 16:16
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
Read in context
Jeremiah 13:17
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock is carried away captive.
Read in context