THIS MONTH ONLY: FREE CURRICULUM BOOKS with your Annual CatholicBrain Subscription. Upgrade now Register Now

Hebrews 4

Please or start a free trial to access this content.

Hebrews 4

The Rest That God Promised

1Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it. 2For good news came to us just as to them; but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers.a 3For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

"As I swore in my wrath,

'They shall never enter my rest,' "

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." 5And again in this place he said,

"They shall never enter my rest."

6Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7again he sets a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

"Today, when you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts."

8For if Joshua had given them rest, Godb would not speak later of another day. 9So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God; 10for whoever enters God's rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his.

11Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Jesus the Great High Priest

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