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Hebrews 4

1Let us therefore fear lest, while a promise of entering his rest remains, any of you should be found to have fallen short. 2For we too have had good news announced to us, just as they did, but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3For we who have believed enter rest, just as he has said, “So I swore in my anger, ‘They will certainly not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5And again in this passage, “They will certainly not enter my rest.”

6Since, then, it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news announced to them did not enter because of disobedience, 7he again designates a day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time, as has been said before, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day. 9So a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10For the one who has entered his rest has also rested from his own works, just as God did from his. 11Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one falls by the same example of disobedience.

12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we must give an account.

14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in every respect as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.

Translation notes 4

4:1–2 — Hearing with faith. “Should be found” can also be rendered “should seem.” The base's plural participle refers to the hearers: they were not united by faith with those who listened. A textual alternative makes the participle singular, referring to the message not being combined with faith in its hearers. Who exactly the receptive hearers are is not stated; Joshua and Caleb are possible examples, not inserted names.

4:3–10 — God's rest. The argument joins Genesis 2:2 with Psalm 95. The name in verse 8 is the same Greek name as Jesus, but the conquest context identifies Joshua. “Sabbath rest” in verse 9 renders a different word from the repeated “rest” and makes the seventh-day connection explicit. The passage's promise extends beyond settlement in Canaan. The wording itself does not settle later debates about weekly Sabbath observance. “The one who has entered” is read generally; a specific reference to Christ is also defended.

4:12–13 — Word, sword, and exposure. God's word in this setting includes the living address just quoted. The piercing image describes its searching reach, not necessarily a classification of human beings into separable soul and spirit. “Exposed” renders an unusual word associated with the neck being laid bare; the precise bodily picture is uncertain. The final phrase means accountability before God and echoes the word for “word” in verse 12.

4:14–16 — Testing and approach. “Tested” includes temptation; “without sin” is retained without an added account of how the testing worked. Confidence in approaching God becomes a recurring exhortation. “Timely help” means help at the needed time.