"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
— Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Hebrews 13:5 is the "never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" verse, tied to a call to be content. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Hebrews 13, and a plain reading. For more verses on the theme, see Bible verses about contentment, Bible verses about money, and Bible verses about God's presence.
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The verse
The King James says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
"Free from the love of money" (KJV "without covetousness") is aphilargyros (G866), literally not loving silver. "Content" is arkeo (G714), to be enough or be satisfied. "Leave" is aniemi (G447), to let go or loosen. "Forsake" is enkataleipo (G1459), to abandon or leave behind.
Where it sits in Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13 is a list of everyday instructions. It opens, "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters" (Hebrews 13:1), and moves through hospitality, remembering prisoners, and honoring marriage before verse 5 turns to money.
The promise God "has said" echoes Moses and Joshua: "he will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). The next verse answers it: "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:6). A little later the chapter adds, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
What the verse is saying
The reason to be content is not that you have enough money. It is that you have God, and he has promised not to let go of you or leave you behind. Love of money promises security; this verse points to a steadier one.
That is why contentment and courage sit side by side here. Because God stays, verse 6 can say "I will not be afraid." For more, see Love and money, Matthew 6:33, and Philippians 4:13.
Questions people ask
What does Hebrews 13:5 say?
In the NIV it says, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" The KJV says, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Where is "I will never leave you nor forsake you" in the Bible?
God makes the promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 and 31:8, and again to Joshua in Joshua 1:5. Hebrews 13:5 quotes it for believers.
What does Hebrews 13:5 say about money?
It says to keep your life "free from the love of money." The Greek word aphilargyros means not loving silver. Money itself is not condemned; loving it is.
What does it mean to be content in Hebrews 13:5?
"Content" is arkeo, to have enough. The verse grounds it in God's presence: you can be satisfied with what you have because God has promised never to leave you.
What verse goes well with Hebrews 13:5?
Hebrews 13:6 follows it: "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." Matthew 6:33 says to seek first God's kingdom, and the things you need will be given to you as well.
