Hebrews 4
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Fear Falling Short of Entering God’s Promised Rest
4 Therefore, let us fear that at any time while a promise to enter into His rest is left-remaining [open], any of you should seem to have come-short[a]— 2 for indeed, we have had-good-news-announced[b], just as those[c] also.
In Moses’ Day Only Those Who Believed Entered The Promised Physical Rest
But the word[d] of hearing did not profit those ones, they[e] not having been united in faith with the ones[f] having heard. 3 For we, the ones having believed[g], enter into the rest, just as He has said: “As I swore in My wrath, they shall never enter into My rest” [Ps 95:11].
And Yet God’s Rest Began On The Seventh Day, Not In Moses’ Day
And-yet, His works have been done since the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken somewhere about the seventh day as follows: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works” [Gen 2:2], 5 and in this [Ps 95:11] again: “They shall never enter into My rest”.
And David Still Calls Us To Enter God’s Rest “Today”
6 Since then it remains that some may enter into it, and the ones formerly having had-good-news-announced to them did not enter because of disobedience, 7 He again designates a certain day— “Today”— saying by[h] David after so much time just as it has been said-before: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” [Ps 95:7-8]. 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not be speaking after these things about another day[i].
So God’s Spiritual Rest Remains Open For Us To Enter
9 Therefore a Sabbath-rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one having entered into His rest also himself rested from his works, just as God did from His own.
Be Diligent To Enter His Rest, For God Knows Your Heart
11 Therefore, let us be diligent to enter into that[j] rest, in order that no one may fall in the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and effective[k] and sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as-far-as the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrows, and able-to-judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart[l]. 13 And there is no creation[m] hidden in His sight, but all things are naked and having been laid-open[n] to His eyes to Whom the account will be given by us.
Jesus The Son of God Is Our Great High Priest
14 Therefore, having a great High Priest having gone through the heavens[o]— Jesus, the Son of God— let us be holding-on-to the confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest not being able to sympathize-with our weaknesses, but One having been tempted[p] in all things[q] in accordance with our likeness, without sin. 16 So let us be approaching the throne of grace with confidence[r], in order that we may receive mercy and find grace for well-timed[s] help.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 4:1 That is, due to unbelief. What is said negatively here is said positively in v 11.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, the word spoken by God about His Son (1:2), to which we must pay more attention (2:1).
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, those in Moses’ day.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, their subjective hearing of the message. Or, the objective message itself which they heard.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, Moses’ generation.
- Hebrews 4:2 That is, heard in faith; Moses, Joshua, and Caleb.
- Hebrews 4:3 Then as now, we enter by faith; we are excluded by unbelief.
- Hebrews 4:7 Or, in David; in the Psalms.
- Hebrews 4:8 If the rest was merely a physical rest in Moses’ day, David would not be offering it ‘Today’ in the psalm.
- Hebrews 4:11 That is, the rest mentioned in v 1 and proven to exist in v 3-10.
- Hebrews 4:12 Or, at-work, in-operation.
- Hebrews 4:12 Thus, God can distinguish between unbelief and genuine faith.
- Hebrews 4:13 Or, creature.
- Hebrews 4:13 Or, laid-bare, exposed.
- Hebrews 4:14 That is, back to His throne, 1:3.
- Hebrews 4:15 Or, tested.
- Hebrews 4:15 Or, respects.
- Hebrews 4:16 Or, boldness, freedom of speech.
- Hebrews 4:16 Or, opportune, seasonable, strategic.
Hebrews 4
English Standard Version
4 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. 2 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] 3 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. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: (D)“And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
(E)“They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news (F)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,
(G)“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God[b] 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 (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.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since then we have (Q)a great high priest (R)who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, (S)let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest (T)who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been (U)tempted as we are, (V)yet without sin. 16 (W)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.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts it did not meet with faith in the hearers
- Hebrews 4:8 Greek he
Hebrews 4
King James Version
4 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
