For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[a](A) And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”(B)

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,(C) 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:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts.”[b](D)

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

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

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

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory(AF) of becoming a high priest.(AG) But God said(AH) to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”[e](AI)

And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.(AJ)[f](AK)

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

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:4 Gen. 2:2
  2. Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7,8
  3. Hebrews 4:10 Or labor
  4. Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens
  5. Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7
  6. Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4

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.

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.