Hebrews 4

1 Therefore [then, as a consequence], while the promise [commitment, assurance] of entering [to go into, to experience] His rest [repose, abode, cessation from labor] still stands [remains, is valid], let us be careful [fear, reverence] that none of you [any one of you] be deemed [seem, appear] to have fallen short [lacked, been inferior] of it [this rest, this promise]. word study 2 For we also received the good news [of salvation, the gospel message] just as they did; but the message [word of hearing, proclamation] they heard was of no value [did not profit, was not beneficial] to them, since they did not share [unite with, have in common] the faith [trust, confidence] of those who comprehended [understood, grasped] it. word study 3 Now we who have believed [trusted, have faith] enter [come into, experience] that rest [repose, cessation from labor]. As for the others, it is just as God [the Almighty, Creator] has said: “So I swore [took an oath, made a vow] on oath in My anger [wrath, indignation], ‘They shall never enter [come into, participate in] My rest [peace, tranquility].’” And yet His works [deeds, creations] have been finished [completed, accomplished] since the foundation [beginning, conception] of the world [creation, universe]. word study 4 For [as a reason, to explain] somewhere [in a certain place, at some point] He has spoken [uttered, declared] about the seventh [final, completing] day [a period of 24 hours, a day of rest] in this manner [thus, in this way]: “And on the seventh [sabbath, day of rest] day God [the Creator, Almighty] rested [ceased, stopped working] from all [every, entire] His works [labors, creations].” word study 5 And again [once more, as previously stated], as He says [declares, affirms] in the passage above: “They shall never [under no circumstances, not at all] enter [come into, experience] My [belonging to Me, divine] rest [state of peace, cessation from labor, a condition of spiritual refreshment and trust in God’s presence].” word study 6 Since [at this point in time, as a consequence], then, it remains [is left, still available] for some [certain ones, a specific group] to enter [go into, experience] His [God’s, the Father’s] rest [a state of spiritual peace, Sabbath], and since those who formerly [previously, before] heard [received, were preached to] the good news [Gospel, message of salvation] did not enter [failed to experience, were unable to go in] because of [due to, as a result of] their disobedience [unbelief, rebellious refusal to obey], word study 7 God [the Creator, Almighty] again [once more, as before] designated [appointed, determined] a certain [specific, particular] day [period, time] as “Today [this present moment, now],” when [at the time, after] a long [extended, prolonged] time [season, era] later [afterward, subsequently] He spoke [uttered, declared] through [by means of, in] David [the king, prophet] as [just as, in the same way] was just stated [previously mentioned, already said]: “Today [this day, now], if [in case, provided] you hear [listen to, obey] His [God’s, divine] voice [sound, word], do not [lest, refrain from] harden [make stubborn, become unyielding] your [your own, personal] hearts [minds, spirits].” word study 8 For [as a reason, explaining why] if Joshua [Jesus, the son of God] had given them rest [a state of peace, cessation from labor], God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] would not have spoken [uttered words, proclaimed] later [afterward, at a subsequent time] about [concerning, regarding] another [different, distinct] day [a period of time, an era]. word study 9 There remains [still exists, is yet to come], then, a [spiritual, eternal] Sabbath rest [a state of peace, a day of rest] for the [chosen, called out] people [a nation, a group of believers] of [the one true] God. word study 10 For whoever enters [comes into] God’s [divine, heavenly] rest [ceasing from labor, spiritual refreshment] also rests [ceases, stops] from his own [personal, private] work [labor, toil], just as [exactly like, in the same way] God [the Creator, Almighty] did from His [own, divine]. word study 11 Let us, therefore [as a consequence], make every effort [be eager, strive diligently] to enter [to go into, experience] that rest [a state of peace, ceasing from labor], so that no one [not a single person] will fall [collapse, stumble] by following [imitating, patterning after] the same pattern [example, model] of disobedience [rebellious refusal to obey, unbelief]. word study 12 For the word [Logos, divine message] of God [the supreme Deity] is living [full of life, vibrant] and active [effective, powerful]. Sharper [more piercing, discerning] than any double-edged [two-edged, having two cutting edges] sword, it pierces [penetrates, cuts through] even to dividing [separating, distinguishing] soul [the seat of emotions] and spirit [the vital principle], joints [connections, articulations] and marrow [the deepest, innermost parts]. It judges [discerns, evaluates] the thoughts [reflections, intentions] and intentions [purposes, desires] of the heart [the center of thoughts, feelings]. word study 13 Nothing [no single thing, not one creature] in all creation [the entire universe, everything made] is hidden [concealed, unseen] from God’s [the Almighty, all-knowing] sight [vision, gaze]; everything [all things, every detail] is uncovered [laid bare, exposed] and exposed [naked, open] before the eyes [the all-seeing gaze] of Him [the Lord, the Judge] to whom we must give account [render an explanation, stand in judgment]. word study 14 Therefore, since we have [possess, hold in our hearts] a great [intense, magnificent] high priest [chief spiritual leader] who has passed through [traversed, ascended into] the heavens [the spiritual realm, God’s dwelling place], Jesus [God’s salvation] the Son of God [having God’s nature, divine], let us hold firmly [grasp, seize with confidence] to what we profess [confess, acknowledge openly, our faith]. word study 15 For we do not have a high priest [who cannot be touched with our feelings] who is unable [completely powerless] to sympathize [feel compassion, empathize] with our weaknesses [infirmities, frailties], but we have one who was tempted [tested, tried] in every way [according to our likeness, in all points] that we are, yet was without [separate from, apart from] sin [missing the mark, falling short]. word study 16 Let us then [therefore, as a consequence] approach [come near, draw near] the throne [seat of power, authority] of grace [divine influence, favor] with confidence [boldness, freedom], so that we may receive [take, obtain] mercy [pity, compassion] and find [discover, meet] grace [graciousness, kindness] to help [assist, aid] us in our time [season, moment] of need [difficulty, distress]. word study