Interpreting Hebrews 13:17

We got a chuckle in the office after talking about the interpretation of Hebrews 13:17 (I bolded the words in question):

Obey you leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. (NASB Updated Edition)

So the discussion was based on this question: What is the antecedent to the pronoun "this"? In other words, what should the church let their leaders do with joy?
Keep watch over their souls with joy?
or...
Give the account with joy?

Honestly I always thought it referred to the keeping watch over souls. I never even considered another option... that is until I heard my dad say that it referred to the giving of the account - he had never considered another option.

Inductive Bible Study rules say that when the antecedent to a pronoun is in doubt, nearest is best. In this case, it would refer to the giving of the account. But is the antecedent in doubt? It is to some.

Consider the following translations:

The NIV clearly thinks the antecedent is "watch over the souls":

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

The Living Bible clearly thinks the antecedent is "give an account":

Obey your spiritual leaders and be willing to do what they say. For their work is to watch over your souls, and God will judge them on how well they do this. Give them reason to report joyfully about you to the Lord and not with sorrow, for then you will suffer for it too.

Good stuff!