Devine Scripture

Hebrews 3:13

What does Hebrews 3:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 3:13 means

The antidote to hardening is daily mutual exhortation while it is still called “Today.” Sin is deceitful; it rarely announces itself as hardening. Therefore believers must speak truth to one another regularly, urging faith and obedience. The time frame is urgent and limited—there is a “Today” that will not last forever. Community care is not optional because isolation feeds self-deception. God uses the encouragement of fellow believers as a means to keep hearts tender. This verse recognizes the ordinary means of grace: frequent, honest, hopeful words that help each other resist sin’s lie and cling to God’s promise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But give comfort to one another every day as long as it is still Today; so that no one among you may be made hard by the deceit of sin:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but exhort ye one another every day, while the To-day is called, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of the sin,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But exhort one another every day, whilst it is called to day, that none of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But encourage yourselves each day, as long as it is called To-day, that none of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Context

This continues the application by providing a practical strategy in response to verse 12’s warning. With the Psalm’s “Today” still ringing, verse 13 commands a present-tense, communal rhythm of exhortation. It anticipates the perseverance theme in verse 14 by showing one instrument God uses to secure endurance—the mutual ministry of the body. Then, in verse 15, the Psalm is quoted again to keep the urgency fresh, before verses 16–18 revisit the wilderness generation through probing questions that connect the diagnosis (unbelief) with its outcome (exclusion from rest).

v.12Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:

v.13This passage

v.14for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.

  • Obadiah 1:3

    The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

  • Isaiah 44:20

    He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

  • Proverbs 28:26

    He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:11

    as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying,

  • Hebrews 10:24

    and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works;

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