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)

¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God^(A) and that no bitter root^(B) grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;

¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.^(A)

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.”^{[b](B) 5} And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”^(C)

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(A) who spoke the word of God^(B) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(C) their faith.

Warning to Pay Attention

2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.^{(A) 2} For since the message spoken^(B) through angels^(C) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,^{(D) 3} how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?^(E) This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,^(F) was confirmed to us by those who heard him.^(G)