Hebrews 4

1 Let vs feare therefore, least at any time by forsaking the promise of entring into his rest, any of you should seeme to be depriued.

We must, therefore, be very careful, though there is a promise still standing that we will enter upon God’s rest, that none of you even appear to have missed it.

2 For vnto vs was the Gospel preached as also vnto them: but the worde that they heard, profited not them, because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it.

For we have had the good news told us just as they had. But the message which they heard did them no good, since they did not share the faith of those who were attentive to it.

3 For we which haue beleeued, doe enter into rest, as he said to the other, As I haue sworne in my wrath, If they shall enter into my rest: although the workes were finished from the foundation of the world.

Upon that rest we who have believed are now entering. As God has said – “In my wrath I swore – ‘They will never enter upon my rest;’” Although God’s work was finished at the creation of the world;

4 For he spake in a certaine place of the seuenth day on this wise, And God did rest the seuenth day from all his workes.

for, in a passage referring to the seventh day, you will find these words – “God rested on the seventh day after all his work.”

5 And in this place againe, If they shall enter into my rest.

On the other hand, we read in that passage – “They will never enter upon my rest.”

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter thereinto, and they to whom it was first preached, entred not therein for vnbeliefes sake:

Since, then, there is still a promise that some will enter upon this rest, and since those who were first told the good news did not enter upon it, because of their disbelief,

7 Againe he appointed in Dauid a certaine day, by To day, after so long a time, saying, as it is sayd, This day, if ye heare his voyce, harden not your hearts.

again God fixed a day. “Today,” he said, speaking after a long interval through the mouth of David, in the passage already quoted – “If today you hear God’s voice harden not your hearts.”

8 For if Iesus had giuen them rest, then would he not after this haue spoke of an other day.

Now if Joshua had given “rest” to the people, God would not have spoken of another and later day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

There is, then, a Sabbath rest still awaiting God’s people.

10 For he that is entred into his rest, hath also ceased from his owne works, as God did from his.

For the person who enters upon God’s rest do themselves rest after their work, just as God did.

11 Let vs studie therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same ensample of disobedience.

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter upon that rest, so that none of us fall through such disbelief as that of which we have had an example.

12 For the worde of God is liuely, and mightie in operation, and sharper then any two edged sword, and entreth through, euen vnto the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirit, and of the ioints, and the marow, and is a discerner of the thoughtes, and the intents of the heart.

God’s message is a living and active power, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing its way until it penetrates soul and spirit – not the joints only but the marrow – and detecting the inmost thoughts and purposes of the mind.

13 Neither is there any creature, which is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and open vnto his eyes, with whome we haue to doe.

There is no created thing that can hide itself from the sight of God. Everything is exposed and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we have to give account.

14 Seeing then that wee haue a great hie Priest, which is entred into heauen, euen Iesus the Sonne of God, let vs holde fast our profession.

We have, then, in Jesus, the Son of God, a great high priest who has passed into the highest heaven; let us, therefore, hold fast to the faith which we have professed.

15 For we haue not an hie Priest, which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all things tempted in like sort, yet without sinne.

Our high priest is not one unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who has in every way been tempted, exactly as we have been, but without sinning.

16 Let vs therefore goe boldly vnto ye throne of grace, that we may receiue mercy, and finde grace to helpe in time of neede.

Therefore, let us draw near boldly to the throne of love, to find pity and love for the hour of need.