Hebrews
4:1-13(14-16)
(1) Therefore, while the promise
of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to
have failed to reach it.
(2) For good news came to us just
as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were
not united by faith with those who listened.
(3) For we who have believed enter
that rest, as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, 'They
shall not enter my rest,'" although his works were finished from the
foundation of the world.
(4) For he has somewhere spoken of
the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all
his works."
(5) And again in this passage he
said, "They shall not enter my rest."
(6) Since therefore it remains for
some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter
because of disobedience,
(7) again
he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long
afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do
not harden your hearts."
(8) For if Joshua had given them
rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.
(9) So then, there remains a
Sabbath rest for the people of God,
(10) for
whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from
his.
(11) Let us therefore strive to
enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
(12) For the word of God is living
and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul
and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and
intentions of the heart.
(13) And no creature is hidden from
his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must
give account.
(14) Since then we have a great
high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us
hold fast our confession.
(15) For we do not have a high
priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every
respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
(16) Let us then with confidence
draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help in time of need.