from Crossway1Therefore, 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)
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
King James Version
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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.