New Living Translation

King James Bible

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.

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A Sabbath-Rest for God's People

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short 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 unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

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 which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished 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 spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest 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 place 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 remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

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 limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, 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 given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

9

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

9

There remaineth therefore a rest 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 is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

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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 labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

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.

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God's Word is Living and Active

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is 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

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

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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.

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Jesus the Great High Priest

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

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

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For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

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 therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Parallel

New Living Translation

King James Bible

Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4