New Living Translation

New International Version

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 the People of God

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen 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 we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.a

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

Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”b
And yet his works have been finished since the creation 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 somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”c

5

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

5

And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter 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

Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,

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

God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”d

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 Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.

9

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

9

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for 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 anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,e just as God did from his.

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, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

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

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes 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

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

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

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,f Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

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 do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not 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 then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Parallel

New Living Translation

New International Version

Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4