The Believer’s Rest

Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word ^[a]they heard did not benefit them, because ^[b]they were not united with those who listened with faith. ³ For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said,

“As I swore in My anger,

They certainly shall not enter My rest,”

although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; ⁵ and again in this passage, “They certainly shall not enter My rest.” ⁶ Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who previously had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, ⁷ He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying ^[c]through David after so long a time just as has been said before,

“Today if you hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts.”

⁸ For if ^[d]Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. ⁹ Consequently, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. ¹¹ Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to ^[e]judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom ^[f]we must answer.

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

Footnotes

1. Hebrews 4:2 Lit of hearing
2. Hebrews 4:2 One early ms it was not united with faith in those who heard
3. Hebrews 4:7 Or in
4. Hebrews 4:8 Gr Jesus
5. Hebrews 4:12 Or discern
6. Hebrews 4:13 Lit is our word