New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
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Let us then, though we still have God's word that we may come into his rest, go in fear that some of you may be unable to do so.
2 For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
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And, truly, the good news came to us, even as it did to them; but the hearing of the word did them no good, because they were not united in faith with the true hearers.
3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "As in my anger I swore, "They shall not enter my rest,' " though his works were finished at the foundation of the world.
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For those of us who have belief come into his rest; even as he has said, As I said in my oath when I was angry, They may not come into my rest: though the works were done from the time of the making of the world.
4 For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works."
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For in one place he has said of the seventh day, And God had rest from all his works on the seventh day;
5 And again in this place it says, "They shall not enter my rest."
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And in the same place he says again, They will not come into my rest.
6 Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,
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So that as it is clear that some have to go in, and that the first hearers of the good news were not able to go in because they went against God's orders,
7 again he sets a certain day—"today"—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
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After a long time, again naming a certain day, he says in David, Today (as he had said before), Today if you will let his voice come to your ears, be not hard of heart,
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day.
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For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have said anything about another day.
9 So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God;
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So that there is still a Sabbath-keeping for the people of God.
10 for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.
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For the man who comes into his rest has had rest from his works, as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
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Because of this, let us have a strong desire to come into that rest, and let no one go after the example of those who went against God's orders.
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
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For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart.
13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
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And there is nothing made which is not completely clear to him; there is nothing covered, but all things are open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
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Having then a great high priest, who has made his way through the heavens, even Jesus the Son of God, let us be strong in our faith.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.
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For we have not a high priest who is not able to be touched by the feelings of our feeble flesh; but we have one who has been tested in all points as we ourselves are tested, but without sin.
16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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Then let us come near to the seat of grace without fear, so that mercy may be given to us, and we may get grace for our help in time of need.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.