The Message Bible MSG
New American Standard Bible NAS
1 For as long, then, as that promise of resting in him pulls us on to God's goal for us, we need to be careful that we're not disqualified.
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Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
2 We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn't do them a bit of good because they didn't receive the promises with faith.
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For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
3 If we believe, though, we'll experience that state of resting. But not if we don't have faith. Remember that God said, Exasperated, I vowed, "They'll never get where they're going, never be able to sit down and rest."
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For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 Somewhere it's written, "God rested the seventh day, having completed his work,"
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For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS ";
5 but in this other text he says, "They'll never be able to sit down and rest."
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and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."
6 So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient.
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Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
7 God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David's psalm, centuries later than the original invitation: Today, please listen, don't turn a deaf ear . . .
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He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."
8 And so this is still a live promise. It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn't keep renewing the appointment for "today."
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For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.
9 The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people.
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So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
10 God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God.
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For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
11 So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.
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Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
12 God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.
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For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it - no matter what. The High Priest Who Cried Out in Pain
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And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14 Now that we know what we have - Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God - let's not let it slip through our fingers.
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Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all - all but the sin.
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For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
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Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. All rights reserved.