¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

² For by this [kind of] faith the ^[a]men of old gained [divine] approval.

⁹ So there remains a [full and complete] Sabbath rest for the people of God.

¹³ Then I heard [the distinct words of] a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘^[a]Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes, [blessed indeed],” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest and have relief from their labors, for their deeds do follow them.”