A Sabbath Rest for God’s People

¹ Therefore, while a promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have fallen short of it. ² For indeed we also have received the Gospel just as they did, but the word they heard did not profit them because they were not united by faith with those who heard it.

³ For we who have believed do enter into that rest, just as he has said,

“As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest.” ^a

And yet his works have been finished since the foundation of the world. ⁴ For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day,

“God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” ^b

⁵ And again in that passage,

“They will not enter into my rest.” ^b

⁶ Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the Gospel was preached before, failed to enter in because of disobedience, ⁷ he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said),

“Today if you will hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.” ^c

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. ⁹ There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. ¹¹ Let us therefore be diligent to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.

The Word of God is Living and Active

¹² For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

Jesus is the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

^{a Psalm 95:11
b Genesis 2:2
c Psalm 95:7-8}

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