Hebrews 4

A Rest for the People of God

1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, a let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, 1 not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
b "So I swore in My wrath,
'They shall not enter My rest,' " 2
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: c "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; 3

5 and again in this place: d "They shall not enter My rest." 4

6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said:
e "Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts." 5

8 For if 6 Joshua had f given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

11 g Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is h living and powerful, and i sharper than any j two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is k a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 l And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are m naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Seeing then that we have a great n High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, o let us hold fast our confession. 15 For p we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but q was in all points tempted as we are, r yet without sin. 16 s Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:1
    We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
    Galatians 5:4
    You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
    Hebrews 12:15
    Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 95:11
    So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'
    Hebrews 3:11
    So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 2:2
    And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
    Exodus 20:11
    For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
    Exodus 31:17
    'It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'"
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 95:11
    So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 95:7
    For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:
    Psalms 95:8
    Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness.
  6. Cross References
    Joshua 22:4
    And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brethren, as He promised them; now therefore, return and go to your tents and to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
  7. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:10
    Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 147:15
    He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 49:2
    And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.
  10. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:17
    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
    Revelation 2:12
    And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
  11. Cross References
    John 12:48
    He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
    1 Corinthians 14:24
    But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
    1 Corinthians 14:25
    And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
  12. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 16:9
    "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."
    Psalms 33:13 - 15
    The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
    Psalms 90:8
    You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
  13. Cross References
    Job 26:6
    Sheol is naked before Him, And Destruction has no covering.
    Proverbs 15:11
    Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.
  14. Cross References
    Hebrews 2:17
    Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
    Hebrews 7:26
    For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.
  15. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:23
    Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
  16. Cross References
    Isaiah 53:3 - 5
    He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
  17. Cross References
    Luke 22:28
    But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:21
    For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
    Hebrews 7:26
    For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.
  19. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:18
    For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
    Hebrews 10:19
    Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.
    Hebrews 10:22
    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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