Hebrews 4

1 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.

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you might seem to have failed [of it].

2 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.

For indeed we have had glad tidings presented to us, even as they also; but the word of the report did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard.

3 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;

For we enter into the rest who have believed; as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, If they shall enter into my rest; although the works had been completed from [the] foundation of [the] world.

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

For he has said somewhere of the seventh [day] thus, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works:

5 On the other hand, we read in that passage – ‘They will never enter upon my rest.’

and in this again, If they shall enter into my rest.

6 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,

Seeing therefore it remains that some enter into it, and those who first received the glad tidings did not enter in on account of not hearkening to the word,

7 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.’

again he determines a certain day, saying, in David, 'To-day,' after so long a time; (according as it has been said before), To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

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

For if Jesus had brought them into rest, he would not have spoken afterwards about another day.

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

There remains then a sabbatism to the people of God.

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

For he that has entered into his rest, he also has rested from his works, as God did from his own.

11 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.

Let us therefore use diligence to enter into that rest, that no one may fall after the same example of not hearkening to the word.

12 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.

For the word of God [is] living and operative, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and penetrating to [the] division of soul and spirit, both of joints and marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of [the] heart.

13 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.

And there is not a creature unapparent before him; but all things [are] naked and laid bare to his eyes, with whom we have to do.

14 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.

Having therefore a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession.

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

For we have not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities, but tempted in all things in like manner, sin apart.

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

Let us approach therefore with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for seasonable help.