¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord^(A) from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit,^(B) “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

⁶ Blessed^(A) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death^(B) has no power over them, but they will be priests^(C) of God and of Christ and will reign with him^(D) for a thousand years.

⁷ I have fought the good fight,^(A) I have finished the race,^(B) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(C) the crown of righteousness,^(D) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(E)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(F)

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,^[a](A) just as God did from his.^{(B) 11} Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.^(C)

¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^(A)