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The Promised Rest

Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware[a] that none of you be found to have fallen short.[b] For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith.[c](A) For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what[d] he has said,

So I swore in my anger,
‘They will not enter my rest,’[e](B)

even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day God rested from all his works.[f](C) Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest.[g] Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,(D) he again specifies a certain day – today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time:

Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.[h](E)

For if Joshua(F) had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his.(G) 11 Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living and effective(H) and sharper than any double-edged sword,(I) penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.(J) 13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom(K) we must give an account.

Our Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast to our confession.(L) 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are,(M) yet without sin.(N) 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Lit fear
  2. 4:1 Or that any of you might seem to have missed it
  3. 4:2 Other mss read since it was not united by faith in those who heard
  4. 4:3 Or rest, just as
  5. 4:3 Ps 95:11
  6. 4:4 Gn 2:2
  7. 4:5 Ps 95:11
  8. 4:7 Ps 95:7–8

Some Will Enter God’s Rest

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be fearful that any one of you may be judged to have failed to reach it. In fact, we have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united in faith with those who did listen. Indeed, we who believe are going to enter his rest.

It happened just as he vowed when he said:

So I swore an oath in my wrath,
“They will never enter my rest.”[a]

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way:

And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.[b]

And again in this statement:

They will never enter my rest.[c]

Therefore, since it is still the case that some do enter this rest, and yet those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not enter because of disobedience, God again set a certain day, namely, “today,” when he later said through David, as quoted before:

Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.[d]

For, if Joshua had given them rest, then God would not have spoken later about another day.

So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God rested from his work. 11 Therefore, let us make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even being able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from him, but everything is uncovered and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we will give an account.

Jesus Is Our High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest, who has gone through the heavens, namely, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. 16 So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.