New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
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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.
2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.
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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.
3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world.
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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."
4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”
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Somewhere it's written, "God rested the seventh day, having completed his work,"
5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
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but in this other text he says, "They'll never be able to sit down and rest."
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,
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So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient.
7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
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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 . . .
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
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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."
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
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The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people.
10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
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God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God.
11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
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So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
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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.
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
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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
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
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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.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
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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.
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.