Hebrews 4

A Rest for the People of God

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem n 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 o they were not united by faith with those who listened. 1

3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
p "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: q "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works."

5 And again in this passage he said,
r "They shall not enter my rest."

6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news s 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,
t "Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God 2 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 u rested from his works as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so v that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For w the word of God is living and x active, y sharper than any z two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and a discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And b no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are c naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Since then we have d a great high priest e who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, f let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest g who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been d tempted as we are, h yet without sin. 16 i 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.

  1. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:15
    See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 3:3
    What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?
  3. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:11
    As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.'
    Psalms 95:11
    Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest.
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 95:11
    Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 2:2
    And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.
    Exodus 20:11
    For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
    Exodus 31:17
    It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.'
  6. Cross References
    Genesis 2:2
    And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.
  7. Cross References
    Hebrews 4:3
    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.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 95:11
    Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest.
  9. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:19
    So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
  10. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:7 - 8
    Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 95:7 - 8
    For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice.
  12. Cross References
    Revelation 14:13
    And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!
  13. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:12
    Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
  14. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:23
    Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
  15. Cross References
    Jeremiah 23:29
    Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
    1 Thessalonians 2:13
    And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
  16. Cross References
    Isaiah 49:2
    He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.
    Ephesians 6:17
    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  17. Cross References
    Proverbs 5:4
    But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
    Revelation 1:16
    In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
    Revelation 2:12
    And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
  18. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:24 - 25
    But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all.
  19. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 16:9
    For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.
    Job 34:21
    For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
    Psalms 33:13 - 15
    The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man.
  20. Cross References
    Job 26:6
    Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.
  21. Cross References
    Hebrews 2:17 - 18
    Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
    Hebrews 10:21
    And since we have a great priest over the house of God.
  22. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:10
    He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
  23. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:23
    Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
  24. Cross References
    Hebrews 5:2
    He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
    Isaiah 53:3
    He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
  25. Cross References
    Hebrews 4:14
    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.
  26. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:28
    So Christ, having been offered once to bear the...
    1 Peter 2:22
    He committed no sin, neither was deceit found i...
    1 John 3:5
    You know that he appeared to take away sins, an...
    Hebrews 7:26
    For it was indeed fitting that we should have s...
    John 8:46
    Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell ...
    John 14:30
    I will no longer talk much with you, for the ru...
  27. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:19
    Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.
    Ephesians 3:12
    In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
    Hebrews 7:19
    (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
    Hebrews 7:25
    Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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