Shared Word Translation
Hebrews 4
God’s Rest and Our Trust
Therefore, while the promise of entering God’s rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have fallen short of it. For good news was proclaimed to us just as it was to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not united with trust in those who heard. For we who have trusted enter that rest, just as God has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although God’s works were finished from the foundation of the world. For somewhere it is spoken about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage God said, “They shall not enter my rest.”
Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again God 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.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. So then, a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from their works as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same pattern of disobedience.
God’s Word Exposes and Heals
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God’s sight, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account.
Hold Fast to Our Great Priest
Since then we have a great priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus, the Son of God—let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every way has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.