Hebrews 4

We Will Enter God’s Place of Rest

1 God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won’t enter his place of rest.

2 We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn’t help those who heard it in the past because they didn’t believe.
3 We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, “So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest.” God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world.

4 Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”
5 God also said in the same passage, “They will never enter my place of rest.”6 However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God’s place of rest because they did not obey God.7 So God set another day. That day is today. Many years after your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest God spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: “If you hear God speak today, don’t be stubborn.”8 If Joshua had given the people rest, God would not have spoken about another day.9 Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God’s people.

10 Those who entered his place of rest also rested from their work as God did from his.
11 So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.12 God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions.

13 No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him.

Christ Is Superior to Other Chief Priests

14 We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God.15 We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin.

16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindnesst to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.

Hebrews 4

1 Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.2 For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.4 For he hath said somewhere of the seventh day on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;5 and in this place again, They shall not enter into my rest.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,7 he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.9 There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.10 For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.13 And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.14 Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.