• Hebrews 13:17
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 17 Πείθεσθε Be YOU obeying τοῖς to the (ones) ἡγουμένοις governing ὑμῶν of YOU καὶ and ὑπείκετε, be YOU yielding under, αὐτοὶ very (ones) γὰρ for ἀγρυπνοῦσιν they are abstaining from sleep ὑπὲρ over τῶν the ψυχῶν souls ὑμῶν of YOU ὡς as λόγον word ἀποδώσοντες, going to give back, ἵνα in order that μετὰ with χαρᾶς joy τοῦτο this ποιῶσιν they may be doing καὶ and μὴ not στενάζοντες, groaning, ἀλυσιτελὲς not tax-paying γὰρ for ὑμῖν to YOU τοῦτο. this.

  • Hebrews 13:17
    The Bible in Living English

    • 17 Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they are on the alert night and day in behalf of your souls, expecting to have to account for them; in order that they may do that with gladness, not with groans, for this would not pay you.

  • Hebrews 13:17
    American Standard Version

    • 17 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.

  • Hebrews 13:17
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 17 Be yielding unto them who are guiding you and submit yourselves; For they are watching over your souls as having an account to render, That with joy the same they may be doing and not with sighing,—For unprofitable unto you were this.

  • Hebrews 13:17
    King James Version

    • 17 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.

  • Hebrews Study Notes—Chapter 13
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 13:17

      Be obedient . . . and be submissive: The Greek word here rendered “be obedient” literally means “be persuaded.” It can include the idea of obeying because of putting trust and confidence in the one asking rather than obeying solely because he has authority. The literal meaning of the Greek word translated “be submissive” includes the idea of “yielding,” that is, doing something even when one is not inclined to do it or remains unconvinced. So these two commands might also be rendered “confidently obey . . . and yield.”​—Compare Lu 5:4-6.

      those who are taking the lead among you: See study notes on Heb 13:7.

      they are keeping watch over you: The Greek verb Paul here uses could literally be rendered “they are abstaining from sleep.” (Kingdom Interlinear) It is rendered “keep awake” at Mr 13:33 and Lu 21:36. (See also Eph 6:18.) The Greek Septuagint uses the same verb at Ps 127:1 (126:1, LXX) concerning the guard who “stays awake.” According to one Bible scholar, it could also allude to “the unflagging vigilance of the shepherd.” As undershepherds, “those who are taking the lead” in the congregation serve under the oversight of “the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus.” (Heb 13:20 and study note) One reference work suggests rendering the whole clause: “‘They constantly care for you,’ or ‘They never rest in their concern to take care of you.’”

      over you: Or “over your lives (souls).”​—See Glossary, “Soul.”

      this would be damaging to you: The Greek word rendered “damaging” was a commercial term that literally means “unprofitable.” Paul uses it here as a deliberate understatement. If Hebrew Christians failed to be obedient and submissive to the elders who were “taking the lead” among them, there could be serious consequences. The elders might have to carry out their work as shepherds with sighing, or groaning, because their work would become burdensome, stressful, and discouraging. It would then be challenging for them to carry out their assignment to care for the congregation. (Heb 10:24, 25; 1Pe 5:2) If some had an uncooperative attitude, they would therefore harm themselves and others and possibly even the spirit of the whole congregation.