Hebrews 4:1–11

We Will Enter God’s Place of Rest

¹God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won’t enter his place of rest. ²We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn’t help those who heard it in the past because they didn’t believe. 

³We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, “So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest.” God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world. ⁴Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” 

⁵God also said in the same passage, “They will never enter my place of rest.” ⁶However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God’s place of rest because they did not obey God. ⁷So God set another day. That day is today. Many years after ⸤your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest⸥ God spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: “If you hear God speak today, don’t be stubborn.” ⁸If Joshua had given the people rest, God would not have spoken about another day. ⁹Therefore, a time of eternal rest exists for God’s people. ¹⁰Those who entered his place of rest also rest from their work as God did from his. 

¹¹So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.