New Living Translation

Darby Bible Translation

Promised Rest for God’s People

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.

1

A Sabbath-Rest for God's People

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 this good news — that God has prepared this rest — has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.a

2

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

For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,
“In my anger I took an oath:
‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”b
even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.

3

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

We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”c

4

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

5

But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”d

5

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

6

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.

6

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

So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted:
“Today when you hear his voice,
don’t harden your hearts.”e

7

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 succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come.

8

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

9

So there is a special restf still waiting for the people of God.

9

There remains then a sabbatism to the people of God.

10

For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.

10

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

11

So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

11

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

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

12

God's Word is Living and Active

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

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

13

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

Christ Is Our High Priest

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

14

Jesus the Great High Priest

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

15

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

15

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

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

16

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

Parallel

New Living Translation

Darby Bible Translation

Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4