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11 Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].

12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.

14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].

15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:12 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.

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

12 For the word of God(B) is alive(C) and active.(D) Sharper than any double-edged sword,(E) it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.(F) 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.(G) 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(H) who has ascended into heaven,[a](I) Jesus the Son of God,(J) let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.(K) 15 For we do not have a high priest(L) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are(M)—yet he did not sin.(N) 16 Let us then approach(O) God’s throne of grace with confidence,(P) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens

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.

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