Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls a…”

Hebrews 13:17

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

Obey them that haue the ouersight of you, and submit your selues: for they watche for your soules, as they that must giue accountes, that they may doe it with ioy, and not with griefe: for that is vnprofitable for you.

Darby Translation

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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.

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.

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Cross references

“Obey”

1 Timothy 5:17 Hebrews 13:7 Philippians 2:12 Philippians 2:29 2 Thessalonians 3:14 1 Samuel 8:19

1 Timothy 5:17 · BSB

Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Hebrews 13:7 · BSB

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Philippians 2:12 · BSB

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:29 · BSB

Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,

2 Thessalonians 3:14 · BSB

Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.

1 Samuel 8:19 · BSB

Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.

“submit”

1 Peter 5:5 1 Corinthians 16:16 James 4:7 Genesis 16:9 Ephesians 5:21

1 Peter 5:5 · BSB

Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Corinthians 16:16 · BSB

to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.

James 4:7 · BSB

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Genesis 16:9 · BSB

So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.”

Ephesians 5:21 · BSB

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

“watch”

Acts 20:28 Ezekiel 3:17–21 Ezekiel 33:7–9 Acts 20:24–26 Ezekiel 33:2 1 Corinthians 4:1

Acts 20:28 · BSB

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Ezekiel 3:17–21 · BSB

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.

Ezekiel 33:7–9 · BSB

As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me.

Acts 20:24–26 · BSB

But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Ezekiel 33:2 · BSB

“Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman,

1 Corinthians 4:1 · BSB

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

“give account”

Romans 14:12 Luke 16:2 2 Corinthians 5:10 2 Corinthians 5:11

Romans 14:12 · BSB

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Luke 16:2 · BSB

So he called him in to ask, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in an account of your management, for you cannot be manager any longer.’

2 Corinthians 5:10 · BSB

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:11 · BSB

Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.

“with joy”

Philippians 4:1 Philippians 1:4 Philippians 2:16 1 Thessalonians 2:19 1 Thessalonians 2:20 1 Thessalonians 3:9

Philippians 4:1 · BSB

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Philippians 1:4 · BSB

In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy,

Philippians 2:16 · BSB

as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 · BSB

After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

1 Thessalonians 2:20 · BSB

You are indeed our glory and our joy.

1 Thessalonians 3:9 · BSB

How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?

“with grief”

Jeremiah 13:17 Exodus 32:31 Philippians 3:18

Jeremiah 13:17 · BSB

But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.

Exodus 32:31 · BSB

So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves.

Philippians 3:18 · BSB

For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Also

Isaiah 62:6 Hebrews 13:24

Isaiah 62:6 · BSB

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,

Hebrews 13:24 · BSB

Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

18Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

Read Hebrews 13