Hebrews 4

God’s Promised Rest

1 Therefore we must be waryt that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it.2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join int with those who heard it in faith.s3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’”s And yet God’s workst were accomplished from the foundation of the world.4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,”s5 but to repeat the text cited earlier:t “They will never enter my rest!”6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience.7 So Godt again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through Davids after so long a time, as in the words quoted before,t “O, that today you would listen as he speaks!tDo not harden your hearts.”8 For if Joshua had given them rest, Godt would not have spoken afterward about another day.9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God.10 For the one who enters God’st rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.

13 And no creature is hidden from God,t but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest

14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.t

HEBREWS 4

1 The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. 2 We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good.

3 t Only people who have faith will enter the place of rest. It is just as the Scriptures say,
“God became angry
and told the people,
‘You will never enter
my place of rest!’ ”
God said this, even though everything has been ready from the time of creation. 4 t In fact, somewhere the Scriptures say that by the seventh day, God had finished his work, and so he rested. 5 t We also read that he later said, “You people will never enter my place of rest!” 6 This means that the promise to enter is still good, because those who first heard about it disobeyed and did not enter.

7 t Much later God told David to make the promise again, just as I have already said,
“If you hear his voice today,
don't be stubborn!”
8  t If Joshua had really given the people rest, there would not be any need for God to talk about another day of rest. 9 But God has promised us a Sabbath when we will rest, even though it has not yet come.

10 t On that day God's people will rest from their work, just as God rested from his work.
11 We should do our best to enter the place of rest, so none of us will disobey and miss going there, as they did. 12 God's word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.

13 t Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.

Jesus Is the Great High Priest