1God’s promise of enjoying his rest still stands. So be careful that none of you fails to receive it.2The good news was announced to our people of long ago. It has also been preached to us. The message they heard didn’t have any value for them. That’s because they didn’t share the faith of those who obeyed.3Now we who have believed enjoy that rest. God said, ‘When I was angry, I made a promise. I said, “They will never enjoy the rest I planned for them.” ’ Ever since God created the world, his works have been finished. (Ps 95:11)4Somewhere he spoke about the seventh day. He said, ‘On the seventh day God rested from all his works.’ (Ge 2:2)5In the part of Scripture I talked about earlier God spoke. He said, ‘They will never enjoy the rest I planned for them.’ (Ps 95:11)6It is still true that some people will enjoy this rest. But those who had the good news announced to them earlier didn’t go in. That’s because they didn’t obey.7So God again chose a certain day. He named it Today. He did this when he spoke through David a long time later. Here is what was written in the Scripture already given. ‘Listen to his voice today. If you hear it, don’t be stubborn.’ (Ps 95:7; Ps 95:8)8Suppose Joshua had given them rest. If he had, God would not have spoken later about another day.9So there is still a Sabbath rest for God’s people.10God rested from his work. Those who enjoy God’s rest also rest from their works.11So let us make every effort to enjoy that rest. Then no one will die by disobeying as they did.12The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.13Nothing God created is hidden from him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us responsible for everything we do.
Jesus is the great high priest
14We have a great high priest. He has gone up into heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us hold firmly to what we say we believe.15We have a high priest who can feel it when we are weak and hurting. We have a high priest who has been tempted in every way, just as we are. But he did not sin.16So let us boldly approach God’s throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it.
Hebrews 4
English Standard Version
1Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. (Heb 12:15)2For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.[1] (Ro 3:3)3For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. (Ps 95:11; Heb 3:11)4For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” (Ge 2:2; Ex 20:11; Ex 31:17)5And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” (Heb 4:3)6Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, (Heb 3:19)7again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Heb 3:7)8For if Joshua had given them rest, God[2] would not have spoken of another day later on.9So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,10for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. (Re 14:13)11Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. (Heb 3:12)12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Pr 5:4; Isa 49:2; Jer 23:29; 1Co 14:24; Eph 6:17; 1Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:23; Re 1:16; Re 2:12)13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (2Ch 16:9; Job 26:6; Job 34:21; Ps 33:13)
Jesus the Great High Priest
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Eph 4:10; Heb 2:17; Heb 10:21; Heb 10:23)15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Isa 53:3; Joh 8:46; Joh 14:30; Heb 4:14; Heb 5:2; Heb 7:26; Heb 9:28; 1Pe 2:22; 1Jo 3:5)16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Eph 3:12; Heb 7:19; Heb 7:25; Heb 10:19)