A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.^{(A) 2} For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.^{[a](B) 3} Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”^{[c](D) 5} And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”^(E)

⁶ Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,^{(F) 7} God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest,^(H) God would not have spoken^(I) later about another day. ⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; ¹⁰ for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,^[e](J) just as God did from his.^{(K) 11} Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.^(L)

¹² For the word of God^(M) is alive^(N) and active.^(O) Sharper than any double-edged sword,^(P) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.^{(Q) 13} Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.^(R) Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest^(S) who has ascended into heaven,^[f](T) Jesus the Son of God,^(U) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.^{(V) 15} For we do not have a high priest^(W) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are^(X)—yet he did not sin.^{(Y) 16} Let us then approach^(Z) God’s throne of grace with confidence,^(AA) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God,^(AB) to offer gifts and sacrifices^(AC) for sins.^{(AD) 2} He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray,^(AE) since he himself is subject to weakness.^{(AF) 3} This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.^{(AG) 4} And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.^(AH)

⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory^(AI) of becoming a high priest.^(AJ) But God said^(AK) to him,

⁶ And he says in another place,

⁷ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions^(AO) with fervent cries and tears^(AP) to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard^(AQ) because of his reverent submission.^{(AR) 8} Son^(AS) though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered^{(AT) 9} and, once made perfect,^(AU) he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest^(AV) in the order of Melchizedek.^(AW)

Warning Against Falling Away^(AX)

¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths^(AY) of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!^{(AZ) 13} Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,^(BA) is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature,^(BB) who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.^(BC)