Hebrews 13:17 bbe — Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an ac…

Bible in Basic English

"Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you."

— Hebrews 13:17, Bible in Basic English

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Hebrews 13:17 in Other Translations

5 versions All translations
  • 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.”

  • 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. ”

  • 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.”

  • NET

    “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.”

  • DRB

    “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.”

Hebrews 13 — Context

14

For here we have no fixed resting-place, but our search is for the one which is to come.

15

Let us then make offerings of praise to God at all times through him, that is to say, the fruit of lips giving witness to his name.

16

But go on doing good and giving to others, because God is well-pleased with such offerings.

17

Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.

18

Make prayers for us, for we are certain that our hearts are free from the sense of sin, desiring the right way of life in all things.

19

I make this request more strongly, in the hope of coming back to you more quickly.

20

Now may the God of peace, who made that great keeper of his flock, even our Lord Jesus, come back from the dead through the blood of the eternal agreement,

Hebrews 13:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Hebrews 13:17 say?
Hebrews 13:17 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.”
Where is Hebrews 13:17 in the Bible?
Hebrews 13:17 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 17.
Who wrote Hebrews?
Hebrews is traditionally attributed to Anonymous. Authorship has been debated since the earliest centuries — candidates include Paul, Apollos, Barnabas, Luke, and Priscilla. The letter itself is anonymous and the most honest answer is that we do not know. It was written c. AD 60–70.
What is the book of Hebrews about?
Hebrews is a sermon-letter showing that everything in the Old Covenant — priests, sacrifices, the tabernacle — pointed to Jesus, who is "better" in every way. It calls a tired church to draw near with confidence, hold fast their hope, and run the race set before them.
What are the major themes of Hebrews?
Hebrews explores themes including Supremacy of Christ, New Covenant, Priesthood, Faith, Perseverance. These themes shape the meaning and context of Hebrews 13:17.
What translation should I read Hebrews 13:17 in?
Hebrews 13:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Hebrews 13:17?
Hebrews 13:17 reads (BBE): “Give ear to those who are rulers over you, and do as they say: for they keep watch over your souls, ready to give an account of them; let them be able to do this with joy and not with grief, because that would be of no profit to you.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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