1Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you fall short of it. 2For this good news - that God has prepared this rest - has been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed God. 3For only we who have believed can enter that rest, as God has said, “As I have sworn in My wrath, they shall never enter into My rest.” (Ps.95:11); even though this rest was prepared and finished from the foundation (creation) of the world. 4For He spoke in a certain place (Gen.2:2) about the seventh day in this way, “And God rested on the seventh day from all His work.” 5And again as said in the prior passage, “They shall not enter into My rest.” (Ps.95:11). 6Therefore, it remains that some may enter it, but those to whom it was first proclaimed did not enter it because of unbelief, 7God again set a certain day that He called “Today”, and much later, He spoke through David, and that time is, “Today”; this He did, after a long time; as already quoted here, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8For if Joshua (the son of Nun) had succeeded in giving them this rest (by conducting them into the promised land), then God would not have afterward spoken (in the time of David of a rest) of another day (the Gospel dispensation - “Come unto me, all you who are weary heavy-burdened, and I give you rest.”(Matt.11:28) ). 9There remains, then, a special Sabbath-rest for the people of God. 10For anyone who enters God’s rest, also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 11Let us, therefore, do our best to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following that same example of unbelief. 12For the word of God is alive, active, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerns the most intimate thoughts and intents of our heart. 13Nor is there anything in all creation that is hidden from His eyes. Everything is laid bare to the eyes of Him to Whom we are all accountable. 14Since we have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, Who has ascended into the heavens, let us hold firmly to the faith which we profess. 15For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot empathize with our weaknesses; but rather, One that was in all points tempted as we are, and yet did not sin. 16Let us, therefore, boldly approach God’s throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in our time of need. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |