The Promised Rest

4 Therefore, while the promise to enter His rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it.^{[a] 2} 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^{[b](A) 3} (for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what^[c] He has said:

And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world, ⁴ for somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this way:

⁵ Again, in that passage He says, They will never enter My rest.^{[f] 6} Since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,^{(D) 7} again, He specifies a certain day—today—speaking through David after such a long time, as previously stated:

⁸ For if Joshua^(F) had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ 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 ideas and thoughts 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 the confession.^{(L) 15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested 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 at the proper time.