Hebrews 4
New Living Translation
Promised Rest for God’s People
4 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. 2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.[a] 3 For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,
“In my anger I took an oath:
‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”[b]
even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. 4 We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”[c] 5 But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”[d]
6 So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. 7 So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted:
“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts.”[e]
8 Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. 9 So there is a special rest[f] still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Christ Is Our High Priest
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4
New American Standard Bible
The Believer’s Rest
4 Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have (A)come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but (B)the word [a]they heard did not benefit them, because [b]they were not united with those who listened with faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,
“(C)As I swore in My anger,
They certainly shall not enter My rest,”
although His works were finished (D)from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said (E)somewhere concerning the seventh day: “(F)And God (G)rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this passage, “(H)They certainly shall not enter My rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of (I)disobedience, 7 He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying [c]through David after so long a time just (J)as has been said before,
“(K)Today if you hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts.”
8 For (L)if [d]Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also (M)rested from his works, as (N)God did from His. 11 Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same (O)example of (P)disobedience. 12 For (Q)the word of God is (R)living and (S)active, and sharper than any two-edged (T)sword, even penetrating as far as the division of (U)soul and (V)spirit, of both joints and marrow, and (W)able to [e]judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And (X)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are (Y)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom [f]we must answer.
14 Therefore, since we have a great (Z)high priest who has (AA)passed through the heavens, Jesus (AB)the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our (AC)confession. 15 For we do not have (AD)a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been (AE)tempted in all things just as we are, yet (AF)without sin. 16 Therefore let’s (AG)approach the throne of grace with (AH)confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 4:2 Lit of hearing
- Hebrews 4:2 One early ms it was not united with faith in those who heard
- Hebrews 4:7 Or in
- Hebrews 4:8 Gr Jesus
- Hebrews 4:12 Or discern
- Hebrews 4:13 Lit is our word
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
