The Seventh Day, God Rests

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and (A)all the host of them. And (B)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. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Read full chapter

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem (A)to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because (B)they were not united by faith with those who listened.[a] For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

(C)“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: (D)“And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said,

(E)“They shall not enter my rest.”

Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news (F)failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

(G)“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”

For if Joshua had given them rest, God[b] would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also (H)rested from his works as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so (I)that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For (J)the word of God is living and (K)active, (L)sharper than any (M)two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and (N)discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And (O)no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are (P)naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts it did not meet with faith in the hearers
  2. Hebrews 4:8 Greek he

28 (A)Come to (B)me, all who labor and are (C)heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and (D)learn from me, for I am (E)gentle and lowly in heart, and (F)you will find rest for your souls. 30 For (G)my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Hardcover, Five-Volume Set
ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Hardcover, Five-Volume Set
Retail: $149.99
Our Price: $98.99
Save: $51.00 (34%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $18.99
Save: $26.00 (58%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Economy Bible, Softcover
ESV Economy Bible, Softcover
Retail: $4.99
Our Price: $1.99
Save: $3.00 (60%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Holy Bible for Kids
ESV Holy Bible for Kids
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $9.71
Save: $10.28 (51%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
Proverbs, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Proverbs, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $8.99
Our Price: $4.99
Save: $4.00 (44%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars