The Promised Rest

Therefore, while the promise to enter His rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it.[a] For we also have received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith[b](A) (for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what[c] He has said:

So I swore in My anger,
they will not enter My rest.(B)[d]

And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world, for somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this way:

And on the seventh day
God rested from all His works.(C)[e]

Again, in that passage He says, They will never enter My rest.[f] Since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,(D) again, He specifies a certain day—today—speaking through David after such a long time, as previously stated:

Today, if you hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts.(E)[g]

For if Joshua(F) had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His.(G) 11 Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living and effective(H) and sharper than any double-edged sword,(I) penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.(J) 13 No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom(K) we must give an account.

Our Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession.(L) 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are,(M) yet without sin.(N) 16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:1 Or that any of you might seem to have missed it
  2. Hebrews 4:2 Other mss read since it was not united by faith in those who heard
  3. Hebrews 4:3 Or rest), just as
  4. Hebrews 4:3 Ps 95:11
  5. Hebrews 4:4 Gn 2:2
  6. Hebrews 4:5 Ps 95:11
  7. Hebrews 4:7 Ps 95:7-8

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.