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.

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run^(A) with perseverance^(B) the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(C) the pioneer^(D) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(E) scorning its shame,^(F) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(G) 3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary^(H) and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.^{(I) 5} And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.^(M) For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline^(N)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits^(O) and live!^{(P) 10} They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.^{(Q) 11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace^(R) for those who have been trained by it.

¹² Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.^{(S) 13} “Make level paths for your feet,”^[b](T) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.^(U)

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone^(V) and to be holy;^(W) without holiness no one will see the Lord.^{(X) 15} See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God^(Y) and that no bitter root^(Z) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral,^(AA) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.^{(AB) 17} Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,^(AC) he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(AD) 19} to a trumpet blast^(AE) or to such a voice speaking words^(AF) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^{(AG) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[c](AH) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[d](AI)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion,^(AJ) to the city^(AK) of the living God,^(AL) the heavenly Jerusalem.^(AM) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(AN) whose names are written in heaven.^(AO) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(AP) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{(AQ) 24} to Jesus the mediator^(AR) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(AS) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(AT)

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse^(AU) him who speaks.^(AV) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned^(AW) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?^{(AX) 26} At that time his voice shook the earth,^(AY) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^{[e](AZ) 27} The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken^(BA)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(BB) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^{(BC) 29} for our “God is a consuming fire.”^[f](BD)

Concluding Exhortations

13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.^{(BE) 2} Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,^(BF) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.^{(BG) 3} Continue to remember those in prison^(BH) as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

⁴ Marriage should be honored by all,^(BI) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.^{(BJ) 5} Keep your lives free from the love of money^(BK) and be content with what you have,^(BL) because God has said,

⁶ So we say with confidence,

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(BO) who spoke the word of God^(BP) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(BQ) their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(BR)

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.^(BS) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened^(BT) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,^(BU) which is of no benefit to those who do so.^{(BV) 10} We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle^(BW) have no right to eat.^(BX)

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,^(BY) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.^{(BZ) 12} And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate^(CA) to make the people holy^(CB) through his own blood.^{(CC) 13} Let us, then, go to him^(CD) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.^{(CE) 14} For here we do not have an enduring city,^(CF) but we are looking for the city that is to come.^(CG)

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice^(CH) of praise—the fruit of lips^(CI) that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(CJ) for with such sacrifices^(CK) God is pleased.

¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders^(CL) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you^(CM) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

¹⁸ Pray for us.^(CN) We are sure that we have a clear conscience^(CO) and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.^(CP)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(CQ) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(CR) brought back from the dead^(CS) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^{(CT) 21} equip you with everything good for doing his will,^(CU) and may he work in us^(CV) what is pleasing to him,^(CW) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(CX)

²² Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.^(CY)

²³ I want you to know that our brother Timothy^(CZ) has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.

²⁴ Greet all your leaders^(DA) and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy^(DB) send you their greetings.

²⁵ Grace be with you all.^(DC)