竭力进入安息

所以,既然那进入神[a]安息的应许还存留,我们就该惧怕,免得我们[b]当中有人看来达不到了。 实际上,我们也是得以听到福音的,就像他们那样;但是他们所听的话语对他们没有益处,因为他们没有因着信,与所听的相配合。 其实,我们这些相信的才能进入那安息,正如神所说:

“所以我在自己的震怒中起誓:
‘他们绝不能进入我的安息。’”[c]

事实上,神的工作从创世以来,就已经完成了。 原来关于第七日,他在经上某处这样说:

“神在第七日,
歇了他所有的工作。”[d]

在这里他又说:“他们绝不能进入我的安息。”[e] 所以,既然这安息为了一些进入它的人被保留下来,可是由于那些原先得以听到福音的人,因着不信从而没有进去, 神就再次设定了一个日子——“今天”,就是在很久以后藉着大卫所说的,像预先说过[f]的那样:

“今天,你们如果听见他的声音,
就不可硬着你们的心。”[g]

如果约书亚已经使他们得了安息,神后来就不会再说到另一个日子了。 这样,就有一个“安息日的安息”为了神的子民被保留下来。 10 原来,那进了神[h]安息的人,也歇了自己的工作,就像神歇了自己的工作那样。 11 所以,我们要努力进入那安息,免得有人照着那同样不信从的样式跌落了。

12 神的话语[i]是有生命的,是有功效的;比任何双刃的剑更锋利,能刺透到魂和灵的分界,以及骨节和骨髓的分界,也能辨明心中的思想和意念; 13 并且被造之物在神面前,没有一样不是显明的;万有在他眼前,都是赤裸敞开的;我们都要向他交代。

我们的大祭司

14 所以,我们既然有一位已经越过了诸天的、尊贵的大祭司——神的儿子耶稣,我们就要持守信仰[j]告白; 15 因为我们的大祭司不是不能同情我们的种种软弱,而是在各方面照着与我们相同的样式受过试探,只是没有犯罪。 16 因此,让我们坦然无惧地来到恩典的宝座前,为要得着怜悯,寻见恩典,做为及时的帮助。

Footnotes

  1. 希伯来书 4:1 神——原文直译“他”。
  2. 希伯来书 4:1 我们——原文直译“你们”。
  3. 希伯来书 4:3 《诗篇》95:11。
  4. 希伯来书 4:4 《创世记》2:2。
  5. 希伯来书 4:5 《诗篇》95:11。
  6. 希伯来书 4:7 预先说过——有古抄本作“已经说过”。
  7. 希伯来书 4:7 《诗篇》95:7-8。
  8. 希伯来书 4:10 神——原文直译“他”。
  9. 希伯来书 4:12 神的话语——或译作“神的道”。
  10. 希伯来书 4:14 信仰——辅助词语。

Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith. (A)We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised. It is just as he said,

“I was angry and made a solemn promise:
    ‘They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest!’”
He said this even though his work had been finished from the time he created the world.

(B)For somewhere in the Scriptures this is said about the seventh day: “God rested on the seventh day from all his work.” (C)This same matter is spoken of again: “They will never enter that land where I would have given them rest.” Those who first heard the Good News did not receive that rest, because they did not believe. There are, then, others who are allowed to receive it. (D)This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called “Today.” Many years later he spoke of it through David in the scripture already quoted:

“If you hear God's voice today,
    do not be stubborn.”

(E)If Joshua had given the people the rest that God had promised, God would not have spoken later about another day. As it is, however, there still remains for God's people a rest like God's resting on the seventh day. 10 (F)For those who receive that rest which God promised will rest from their own work, just as God rested from his. 11 Let us, then, do our best to receive that rest, so that no one of us will fail as they did because of their lack of faith.

12 The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 (G)There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes. And it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God—Jesus, the Son of God. 15 Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. 16 Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

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.