1Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.2For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[1]3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, ‘So I declared on oath in my anger, “They shall never enter my rest.” ’[2] And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. (Ps 95:11)4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: ‘On the seventh day God rested from all his works.’ (Ge 2:2)5And again in the passage above he says, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’6Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,7God again set a certain day, calling it ‘Today’. This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’ (Ps 95:7; Ps 95:8)8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[3] just as God did from his.11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no-one will perish by following their example of disobedience.12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Jesus the great high priest
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[4] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.16Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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)